Advice about GLP -1 RAs
GLP-1Ras are a group of medicines used to treat diabetes and people who are overweight.
GLP-1RAs include Dulaglutide (Trulicity), Exenatide (Bydureon), Liraglutide (Saxenda), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus)
· GLP-1RAs are prescription-only medicines to be used under medical supervision and should only be prescribed by a registered healthcare professional
· The benefits and risks of using a GLP-1RAs for weight loss outside of the licensed indications have not been studied
· If obtaining a private prescription (from a non-NHS prescriber), ensure that this is dispensed from authorised sources, such as registered online pharmacies, to avoid the risk of receiving falsified or fake medication
· Carefully read the instructions for use in the Patient Information Leaflet, and use the prescribed dose
· Common gastrointestinal side-effects of GLP-1RAs treatment (including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation) can persist for several days and may affect more than 1 in 10 patients. This may result in dehydration, which if severe may lead to other serious health complications such as kidney damage resulting in hospitalisation
· Throughout treatment stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids (such as water) to avoid dehydration, which can sometimes occur after experiencing gastrointestinal side-effects including vomiting and diarrhoea
· Other serious but less common side-effects of GLP-1RAs include acute gallstone disease, pancreatitis, and serious allergic reactions. If you experience severe or persistent side effects such as intense abdominal pain, yellowing of skin, fever (temperature over 38C), signs of allergic reaction (like rash, itching, swelling), or difficulty breathing, please contact your practice immediately or call 111 straight away.
· Some GLP-1RAs can affect the effectiveness of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or oral contraception, so if you take either of these medications, please discuss this with the person that prescribes your GLP-1RA
· If you are concerned about any side-effects, speak to a healthcare professional
Further useful information can be found on the Diabetes UK website: