Let’s Talk Side Effects: GLP-1 vs. Obesity

Just as Oprah comes out about using a GLP-1 to lose weight (and get healthier), a faction of the masses go bonkers saying what a hypocrite she is, how she is being paid by the pharmaceutical companies to say what she says, and asking, “How could she? She’s betraying us all!” (“All” being the people with obesity.)

Well, I love that she is embracing these diabetes and weight loss meds. Rosie, who is on Mounjaro, has been singing from the rafters that she would love to be an Eli Lilly spokesperson if they provided coupons for users and because of her health and success.

But Oprah has more clout. Gosh, maybe she could even convince the insurance companies to pay for the meds!

Not Mentioning Side Effects?

One common theme with ragging on Oprah is the reporters are not talking about the side effects and cancer possibilities with the GLP-1 Agonist medications. It’s true, Ozempic/Wegovy (semaglutide, GLP-1),  Mounjaro/Zepbound (tirzepatide, a GLP-1/GIP),  Trulicity (dulaglutide, GLP-1), Saxenda (liraglutide, GLP-1), etc. do have side effects. I’m going to list them here as they come from the Mounjaro package insert:

Do not use Mounjaro if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
Do not use Mounjaro if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Mounjaro may cause serious side effects, including:
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Kidney problems (kidney failure)
Severe stomach problems
Changes in vision
Gallbladder problems

Common side effects
The most common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach (abdominal) pain. These are not all the possible side effects of Mounjaro.

Side effects and possible complications are not fun if they happen to you.

As a reminder, I was on Fen-Phen and got the heart valve regurgitation. I had an RNY Gastric Bypass and have many complications still 22 years later from that. Blessedly, I have no side effects from the Mounjaro, but if I did, it would not be unexpected.

But you know what? I have had about 30 of the effects (they can’t even be called “side effects!”) from having obesity. Let’s talk about those for a moment.

GLP-1 Side Effects Compared to Effects of Obesity

Oh, my. Look how long these lists are compared to the list for the GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications. Even granted we don’t know the extended long-term possible side effects and effects of the GLP-1s, I think obesity wins the I-F-Up-the-Body fight hands down.

Effects of Obesity

Type 2 Diabetes

Heart Disease

Stroke

Arthritis

Sleep Apnea

Asthma

GERD

Fatty Liver Disease

High Blood Pressure

Gallbladder Disease

High Cholesterol

High Triglycerides

Joint Deterioration and Needing Replacement

Cancers

Breast

Colon

Gallbladder

Pancreatic

Kidney

Prostate

Uterine

Cervical

Endometrial

Ovarian

Pregnancy Complications

Gestational diabetes

Prenatal and/or Postpartum Preeclampsia

Needing a cesarean delivery (C-section)

Blood clots

Heavier bleeding and/or hemorrhaging after delivery

Premature birth

Post-dates birth

Lung issues at birth

Large for Gestational Age baby/macrosomia

Baby with Hypoglycemia after birth, requiring assistance

Birth injury

Shoulder Dystocia

Need for mechanical assistance at delivery (forceps, vacuum)

Meconium

Miscarriage

Stillbirth

Defects of the brain and spinal cord

Psychiatric Issues

Depression

Anxiety

The Coup de Grace

Premature Death from everything mentioned above.

Inconveniences With Obesity

Immobility, possibly needing a wheelchair, walker, or cane (or all three)

Incontinence

Difficulty showering

Difficulty with cleansing oneself after the bathroom

Sexual dysfunction

Humiliation from others

Shame we carry around

Pain with walking

Joint pain

Back pain

Surgeries are exponentially more complicated

Inability to fit in chairs or airplane seats

Inability to get up if a fall occurs

Frustration with Care Providers

People’s assumption (including care providers) that every issue we present is because we “are overweight” and if we just lose weight, everything would be fine.

I dare anyone to tell me there is a greater risk to taking GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP medications than there are to being fat.

Those lists are why people should not have to wait until they have Type 2 Diabetes before they are on Ozempic, Mounjaro, or any of the other GLP-1 medications for diabetes. We need to stop those illnesses before they have the ability to insinuate themselves.

Agree? Comment below!