Patient safety is paramount. This section includes the latest side effects and safety research, detailing both common AOM side effects and specific side effects associated with the approved brands. Further, we list the safety risks with AOMs, and as always above anything, emphasize the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for personalized advice and monitoring.
Common GLP-1 AOM Side Effects
Like any drug, there are potential side effects with taking AOMs. The common side effects improve over time as you take the drug. As mentioned in the use section, a few of the brands recommend increasing the dosage gradually when you first take the medications for your body to get used to it and to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects (Castro, 2022). With that said, three of the more common side effects according to the Mayo Clinic are as follows:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Other side effects to watch out for include dizziness, heart rate increases, infections, headaches, indigestion, and mild itchiness and redness at the injection location.
More serious and not common side effects are as follows: (Cleveland Clinic, 2023):
Pancreatitis
Medullary thyroid cancer
Acute kidney jury
Worsening diabetes-related retinopathy
Safety Risks
Medical professions generally view GLP-1 medications as safe to use (Cleveland Clinic). That said, it is important to consider the risks and have routine check-ins with your healthcare provider when using GLP-1s as the provider can assess the success and any risks. Several risks to be aware of are
Allergic Reactions: redness/itching at the location of injections or a major allergic reaction (“anaphylaxis”) resulting in symptoms such as shortness of breath, hives, chest tightness, and more. Call 911 or immediately go to the closest emergency room if you are exhibiting signs of anaphylaxis
Pregnancy: GLP-1 medications are not safe to take during pregnancy. Visit or check in with your healthcare provider immediately if you get pregnant while taking a GLP-1 treatment
Hypoglycemia: having mild or low blood sugar level episodes is possible while taking the medications, but this risk is more serious for patients also taking a separate drug known to lower blood sugar (e.g., insulin). Symptoms include shaking/trembling, cold sweats, dizziness, weakness, increased heart rate, pale skin, and nausea. Quick treatments for low blood sugar levels include consuming sugar (e.g., apple juice) or carbs (e.g., banana). Without proper treatment, low blood sugar levels can be life-threatening, so patients should watch out for these symptoms carefully.
Finally, additional side effects and safety concerns may be relevant for each branded and compounded GLP-1 medication. It is important to check the label/prescription details and discuss side effects with a healthcare provider.
Comments