Addressing Misconceptions About Second-Generation Weight Loss Medications

You’ve probably heard a lot about one or more second-generation weight loss medications: Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. 

While accurate information is available, there’s unfortunately also a lot of wild claims and misinformation. In this blog post we’ll walk through some common misconceptions about second-generation weight loss medications.

What are the misconceptions about second generation weight loss medications?

There are many misconceptions about this topic. Here are four of the big ones:

– These medications are inherently unsafe

– They offer a “quick fix”

– They are universally effective

– They are accessible to anyone without medical guidance

Misconception 1: 2nd-Generation Weight Loss Medications Are Inherently Unsafe

This first misconception is a tricky one, because there is some truth to it. 

On the one hand, these medications are safe for many patients, and it would be irresponsible to suggest that all patients will suffer from side effects or to overstate the dangers of these medications.

However, the complication rate for these medications is relatively high. According to a JAMA Network study, 48.6% of patients who took weekly subcutaneous injections of 1.7mg to 2.4mg of Ozempic experienced negative side effects. The most common side effects were nausea and vomiting (36.6% of patients), diarrhea (8.6%) and fatigue (6.3%). 11.5% of patients were told to either reduce their dose, avoid increasing their dose (a gradually increasing dose is what doctors otherwise recommended in the study), or stop taking Ozempic altogether due to the severity of their side effects.

Some of the side effects caused by these weight loss medication injections can be very serious. According to a recent study which drew from a database of 16 million patients, using GLP-1 agonists such as Semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) increased patients’ risk of gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). Patients are also at a higher risk of developing certain endocrine tumors in the pancreas or thyroid glands, as well as pancreatitis and possibly cancer.

Additionally, these medications are still very new. In many cases, certain medical risks of a given medication weren’t discovered for decades after the medication had received FDA approval. It is therefore possible that these drugs come with additional risks and complications which are currently unknown.

Misconception 2: 2nd-Generation Weight Loss Medications Are A “Quick Fix”

Some influencers on TikTok and Instagram are suggesting that weight loss medication injections (Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound) are a “quick fix” or miracle drugs. They claim that you can take these pills and lose weight without any attendant lifestyle changes such as changing your diet and exercise regimen.

Unfortunately, this isn’t true. In clinical trials, patients only experienced weight loss when these medications were paired with substantial lifestyle modification. While medications like Mounjaro and Zepound can reduce your hunger, patients only see the full benefits when they also incorporate broader changes to their lifestyle such as diet and exercise. When it comes to weight loss, the unfortunate truth is that there is no such thing as a “quick fix.” (If you want a deeper dive into this topic, here’s our article on setting realistic weight loss goals).

Misconception 3: 2nd-Generation Weight Loss Medications Are Universally Effective

It’s tempting to believe that because these medications have worked for some patients, that they will work the same way for all patients. Unfortunately, this is not how weight loss medications work. Patient results are highly individual, and vary based on other factors like the patient’s baseline BMI, their metabolic rate, and how aggressively they incorporate diet and exercise changes into their day-to-day routine.

According to the JAMA study cited above, weight loss was spread across the spectrum. Of 102 patients who took Ozempic, only 56 (54.9%) lost 10% of their body weight or more; and only 8 (7.8%) lost 20% of their body weight or more.

Misconception 4: 2nd-Generation Weight Loss Medications Are Accessible to Anyone Without Medical Guidance

Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are prescription medications, and are not available over the counter or without a prescription from a licensed doctor. Some pharmacies claim to offer weight loss medications without a prescription. But these are unethical, fly-by-night operations; the fact that they don’t require a prescription before handing out what they claim are prescription weight loss medications is actually a big red flag.

These medications can work very well, but they also come with substantial and serious side effects for some patients. Some pre-existing conditions (such as baseline gastroparesis, bowel obstructions, or pancreatitis) can dramatically worsen these side effects. If you are considering taking these medications, then it is very important that you seek medical guidance and get properly screened for these risks.

A Better Approach to Weight Loss

If you’re considering taking weight loss medications, then you owe it to yourself to be careful. You owe it to yourself to do your own research so that you can make the right decision for you, and to not base your decision on the misinformation that is unfortunately clouding this important discussion. The FDA’s BeSafeRx is a great resource.

If you’re suffering from obesity and want to lose the weight and keep it off, then bariatric surgery may be a better option than weight loss medications. Bariatric surgery is very safe; at a certified ASMBS comprehensive MBSAQIP center like the Bariatric & Metabolic Center of Colorado, it is no more dangerous than any minor outpatient surgery like having your gallbladder removed. It is also very effective. Second-generation weight loss medications can help patients lose 15-20% of their body weight at the high end, but many of our patients lose 90% or more of their excess body weight and keep it off. Imagine how that would feel.

Most of our patients say that the decision to undergo weight loss surgery was the best decision they ever made.

“I can only thank Dr. Long and his staff for giving me my life back. I have set some new goals for myself and look forward to walking a 5k and participating in a triathlon.”–Johnetta Hebrlee, duodenal switch patient.

If you’re suffering, don’t wait. Contact our Denver office today.