Dr Barbara Mintzes and Dr Joel Lexchin, have recently published a review paper on the weight loss drug Wegovy (generic name semaglutide). They discuss it and the new generation of similar obesity medications.

The hype surrounding this new class of drugs has been huge, but is it justified?

These pharmaceuticals are called glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists or GLP-1 for short. They work by stimulating cells in your intestines to release a natural hormone called GLP-1 that tricks your stomach and your brain into thinking you’ve just eaten a large meal.

Clearly, obesity is major problem in countries across the world, but as Barbara and Joel reveal although these drugs do achieve a significant weight loss, weight gain is common once the medication is stopped.

And like any drug there are side effects, common ones include headache, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. Rare reported side effects include pancreatitis and increased heart rate.  Currently, the European drug regulator, the EMA is reviewing data on the risks of thoughts of suicide and self-harm associated with GLP1 medicine. It is analysing around 150 reports. It expects to report on its findings this year.

So exactly what are the risks and the benefits of these drugs, and who should take them?

The host of the podcast, Liz Tucker is an award winning medical journalist and former BBC producer and director.  You can follow Liz on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lizctucker and read her Substack newsletter about the podcast at https://liztucker.substack.com

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