Risks of GLP-1 Drugs
GLP-1 drugs have many benefits, and many potential side effects.
6/6/20262 min read
[Disclaimer: I am not a licensed doctor. Seek advice from an actual doctor. The following is one celebrity’s experience, along with my opinions which are based on personal research.]
Mayim Bialik, of “Blossom”, “Big Bang Theory”, and “Jeopardy” fame, has come out about her "nightmare" of using an undisclosed GLP-1 medication. Her doctor had told her it might alleviate her symptoms from Graves' disease, which is an autoimmune condition.
"I was exhausted from being sick, from the endless parade of specialists, from the diets, the protocols, and the promises," Bialik wrote. She had hopes a GLP-1 would finally be the cure. However, it wasn't. Instead, the medication gave her intense gastrointestinal issues making her "too sick to stand, drink water, or think straight."
Bialik isn't alone. For some, GLP-1 medications can have highly negative side effects, particularly gastrointestinal issues. On the other hand, the drugs have been lifelines for others.
She was familiar with GLP-1’s prior to starting, due to social media advertisements and a plethora of online services offering compounded versions of the medications. She studied neuroscience, and is pro-choice on vaccines.
"To say I had an adverse reaction would be somewhat of an understatement.” Explosive, uncontrollable diarrhea, sulfur burps. sneezing attacks, cramping, bloating, and more. At one point, she claims her symptoms got so bad, a nurse had to come to her home and administer IV fluids. She then added, “What shocked me was how unsurprised my doctor and this nurse seemed." Apparently, such reactions can be quite common.
Though GLP-1s have helped many people reclaim their health, the drugs aren't without the risks. According to Mayo Clinic, gastrointestinal issues remain among the most commonly reported side effects, as well as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and stomach discomfort. Fatigue, dizziness, headaches and redness or itching around the injection site are also side effects. It can even cause loss of muscle mass and reduced bone density. Rare but more serious risks are pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury and thyroid C-cell changes, which have been seen in animal studies.
That’s a long list of potential negatives.
My gut reaction – no pun intended – would be to avoid drugs if at all possible. I don’t even like taking over-the-counter drugs with far fewer side effects. My point is, a drug probably shouldn’t be your first choice for health care. In most cases, if a drug is your doctor’s go-to reaction, rather than lifestyle changes, you have a drug dealer, not a doctor.
The Mayo Clinic states that GLP-1’s, while revolutionary, are not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's crucial to have a educational discussion with your doctor to get a comprehensive view of your health, as well as potential risks, to decide if this medication is right for you.
Consider the pros and cons. They’re associated with lower risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular issues, as well as fewer seizures and addictions to alcohol, cannabis and opioids. On the flip side, they’re associated with an increased risk of well-known gastrointestinal problems, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and gastroparesis, or stomach paralysis.
Source used: USA Today
