Treatment for Weight Loss: What to Know About GLP-1 Agonists

GLP-1 agonists—diabetes medications that can also help with weight loss—are making headlines as more and more people use them to shed excess pounds, control high blood sugar and even protect against heart disease and worsening kidney disease. If you’re considering one, here’s what to know.

“A good candidate for a GLP-1 medication has been struggling with excess weight despite lifestyle changes, has a diagnosis of type II diabetes, or has a body mass index (BMI) over 27, with at least one weight-related medical condition such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prior stroke or a prior heart attack,” says Givi Basishvili, MD, ABOM, a bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon in Valley Health’s Metabolic & Bariatric Program. “Under proper medical and nutritional guidance, people who use them can achieve not only significant weight loss, but also prevent and sometimes cure weight-associated medical conditions.”

GLP-1s include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) and dulaglutide (Trulicity). These injected medications act like the natural GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) released into your bloodstream when you eat. GLP-1s work for both weight loss and type II diabetes. In treatment of diabetes, they signal your pancreas to produce insulin, which helps lower blood sugar. They also reduce the amount of sugar produced by the liver. For weight loss, they slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach, making you feel fuller, longer.

“It causes several effects, including insulin release from the pancreas, slowing stomach emptying and suppressing appetite,” explains Christopher M. Reed, MD, a bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon in Valley Health’s Metabolic & Bariatric Program.

The medications are available by prescription from a healthcare provider. “Early in the course of treatment you will need to see your health care provider frequently [sometimes every one to two months] to monitor for side effects and slowly increase the dose,” Dr. Reed says. Side effects can include nausea, diarrhea and constipation, and usually improve over time.

“Injections are typically administered by the patient at home. Once on a stable dose, you will still require periodic follow-up.” Many people take the drugs long-term, he adds. “There is growing evidence that patients tend to regain weight when these medications are discontinued, but lifestyle changes can be helpful in limiting this.”

Working with your physician to adopt a healthy diet and regular exercise routine while using a GLP-1 is important. Because not all insurances cover GLP-1s outside of diabetes, it’s important to understand the process from your own coverage situation.

“At Valley Health, we have a caring and comprehensive team for patients interested in GLP-1 medications,” says Dr. Basishvili says. The best way to be evaluated and get started is to call our office at 540-536-0010 and set up an appointment. Our staff can provide guidance and check your insurance for eligibility. No referral is necessary.”

To learn more, visit valleyhealthlink.com/weightloss.