Conversations about effective and rapid weight loss methods have become all too common. Nowadays, quick fixes like diabetes medications, Ozempic and Mounjaro, continue making global headlines, from celebrities to your neighbour looking for drastic weight loss results with minimal effort. Read on to discover the overlooked side effects of using diabetes medication for weight loss.

What Diabetes Medication Is and How It Works

Diabetes medication is designed to help people with type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition where the body struggles to control blood sugar levels, to ensure the required production of insulin or to remove excess sugar through urine. Insulin is a hormone that transports sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. However, when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the sugar isn’t converted into energy, leading to high blood sugar, fatigue, and long-term complications such as heart disease or kidney damage.

Common Types of Diabetes Medications That Can Cause Weight Loss

In recent years, there have been several diabetes medications which have gained popularity for their ability to help with weight reduction. While they’re effective for diabetes management, using them without a diagnosis or prescription for weight loss can lead to life-threatening consequences. The most common of these medications include:

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

These medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda), mimic leptin, a hormone that signals fullness in the body. They help control blood sugar and suppress appetite, leading to gradual weight loss.

Dual GIP/GLP-1 Agonists

A newer class of diabetes management medication, including tirzepatide (Mounjaro or Zepbound), works on two hormones that influence appetite and digestion. According to research, these medications have shown significant weight loss results in clinical studies, but also carry a higher risk of side effects if not used under medical supervision.

SGLT2 Inhibitors

These drugs, such as empagliflozin or dapagliflozin, lower blood sugar by allowing the kidneys to excrete excess glucose through urine. They can also be prescribed to manage the risk of heart failure, kidney disease or a stroke in people without diabetes.

Risks of Taking Diabetes Medication for Weight Loss Without a Diagnosis

Diabetes medication is a necessary treatment when you are diagnosed, and it can change your body’s natural systems to ensure the production of insulin and conversion of sugar. Using diabetes medication without the appropriate guidance of proper medical advice can have severe, and sometimes irreversible, health effects. If you are taking diabetes medication for weight loss without a diagnosis, you risk:

• Unnecessary interference with blood sugar levels: If you don’t have diabetes, lowering your blood sugar can make you dizzy, weak, or faint.
• Lack of medical monitoring: People with diabetes are regularly monitored for kidney function, sugar control, and side effects. Without these check-ups, warning signs can be missed.
• Incorrect dosing: Using a friend’s prescription or buying medication online can lead to harmful dosing errors.
• Rebound weight gain: Once the medication is stopped when you reach your intended weight loss goal, appetite often returns, and weight is quickly regained, sometimes even more than before.
• Severe health complications: Misuse of these drugs can lead to severe health complications such as gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, or kidney damage.

Common Overlooked Side Effects of Diabetes Medication for Weight Loss

There have been conversations about “Ozempic face”, which is seen as an apparent side effect of taking semaglutide for rapid weight loss. This is characterised by changes in the face, including sunken cheeks, loose facial and neck skin and new wrinkles caused by the excessive loss of subcutaneous fat, which speeds up the natural ageing process. Other commonly overlooked side effects of diabetes medication for weight loss include:

1. Pancreatitis (Inflammation of the Pancreas)

This condition can cause sudden, severe pain in your upper abdomen that moves up to your back. Pancreatitis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment and is a known risk associated with GLP-1 medications. While it may be acute and treatable, there are instances where the pain is long-lasting to a point where it is disabling, with chronic symptoms including oily stools, indigestion and a swollen abdomen.

2. Dehydration and Kidney Damage

Since these drugs can cause vomiting and reduced appetite, dehydration is common. Without enough fluids, your kidneys may become strained, leading to lasting damage.

3. Vision Problems

When blood sugar levels drop rapidly, it can temporarily affect vision. In some cases, diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition affecting the retina and causing damage, can quickly worsen into the advanced stage, which can cause bleeding and severe vision problems such as blindness.

4. Gallbladder Disease

Rapid weight loss increases the risk of gallstones and gallbladder inflammation. This happens when bile ducts are blocked, affecting digestive processes. Common symptoms of gallbladder disease can include sharp pain under the ribs, nausea, and indigestion.

5. Thyroid Concerns

Several animal studies suggest a possible link between GLP-1 medications and thyroid tumours. While the risk in humans remains uncertain, caution is advised, especially if there is a family history of thyroid cancer.

6. Mental and Emotional Impact

Putting yourself through sudden appetite suppression and body changes can influence mood, eating habits, and self-esteem. According to research, it’s common for most people who use diabetes medication for weight loss to experience anxiety about regaining weight once the treatment is stopped. The mental and emotional impact can be severe and lead to chronic mental health concerns such as depression.

7. Weight Regain After Stopping the Medication

While it’s common to see rapid weight loss results, the same can be said about the weight regain that follows when you stop taking them. Additionally, if lasting lifestyle changes don’t follow the weight loss, the unhealthy food cravings return, which could worsen your long-term health. This can be discouraging and may create a cycle of dependency on the drug.
While research suggests that diabetes medication can lead to significant weight loss, it’s important to note that when used without a diagnosis or medical supervision, it can contribute to severe side effects. While you might think quick fixes promise instant results, healthy weight loss takes time and requires healthy habits and consistency. If you’re considering any type of prescription medication, Affinity Health plans offer unlimited doctor consultations to help assess your health, rule out underlying issues, and provide professional advice that is suitable for your lifestyle needs.