Promising Weight Loss Drugs
As the new year unfolds, many of us are embracing resolutions, especially those related to health and weight loss. We totally understand the battle around sustained weight loss and want to recognize the huge potential around trending weight loss drugs approved by the FDA for helping pre-diabetic and diabetic patients. In my opinion, this is a very exciting time to hopefully see the obesity epidemic curbed in a big way. We’re seeing at risk individuals achieve substantial weight loss and improve their overall health. This could create a huge dent in our overall medical care costs across the globe. It’s also exciting to see that in many cases, the results patients are having from taking the drug inspire and motivate them to eat healthier and move more as a way to safeguard this better health.
Wagovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, oh my!
Semaglutide medications like popular Wagovy and Ozempic are typically prescribed for individuals with type 2 diabetes to help manage blood sugar levels and signaling to the brain “fulllness”.
Before considering any medication, including semaglutide, it's wise to consult with your doctor. While these drugs are promising, the collected data around them only extend about 20 years, making what we know about long term effects, quite limited. It is best to have your doctor assess your health status, consider your medical history, and determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Enter Compounded Semaglutide
I started getting one email after another from boutique fitness clubs in Chattanooga and Atlanta and NYC and from med spas all over advertising their new “medical weight loss fitness program”. And what I discovered from digging a bit more is that many of these programs were packaging compounded semaglutide drugs into their program, making it easier for the general public to get the weight loss drug. And this is where I throw up my red flag and say, if this intrigues you, tread with caution.
So what is compounded semaglutide?
Compounded semaglutide refers to the practice of combining or altering the commercially available medication, semaglutide. Compounding drugs can be very helpful in shortage situations or in situations where it can address a patients allergy to a specific ingredient in the commercially available drug. But, compounding medications also introduces potential risks.
Effectiveness Concerns: Compounded medications may lack the precise formulation and quality control of commercially available drugs. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of compounded semaglutide in managing blood sugar levels as intended.
Dosage Accuracy: Achieving accurate dosage in compounded medications can be challenging. Variability in dosage may lead to inadequate blood sugar control or, conversely, increase the risk of side effects.
Safety Profile: Commercially available medications undergo rigorous testing to establish their safety profiles. Compounded semaglutide may lack such comprehensive safety data, making it difficult to assess potential risks and side effects accurately.
Contamination and Stability: Compounding introduces the risk of contamination and instability. Improper handling or storage of compounded semaglutide could compromise its effectiveness and safety.
Lack of Regulatory Oversight: Unlike commercially available medications, compounded drugs may not be subject to the same level of regulatory scrutiny. This absence of oversight can pose challenges in ensuring product quality and patient safety.
Patients considering compounded semaglutide should consult their healthcare providers to thoroughly discuss the potential risks and benefits.
The Bottom Line
I’m excited about the potential these weight loss drugs have to create a huge impact on the obesity epidemic and the ripple effect we will likely see it have on choosing to move more and eat healthier to sustain the results from taking the drug. The wellness expert in me says “BRING IT ON!”
But, I’m cautious and concerned for anybody that chooses to take semaglutide or its’ compounded versions without consulting their doctor and doing the research needed to make sure that the product they are getting is safe and legitimate. We still don’t know what happens with long term drug use on the population it was intended for, and we absolutely don’t know what long term effects it will have on a population for whom the drug was not intended for. It’s so tempting to want to use semaglutide to lose those last 5 or final 10 lbs, but will the side effects and potential long term effects be worth it? We just don’t know yet.
What are your thoughts on this? Please add your comments below. I know this topic can absolutely stir up a lot of emotions and opinions. I’m curious what your experiences have been with any of these drugs, what other questions you have around it, and what feedback you can share with us all.