Are GLP-1 agonists new, and what does the safety record show?
GLP-1 agonists may feel new because they’ve been all over the news recently, but they are not new medications.
How long have they been around?
The GLP-1 hormone has been studied since the 1970s
The first GLP-1 medication was FDA approved in 2005 for type 2 diabetes
Doctors have been prescribing them for nearly two decades
They were approved for obesity treatment within the past 10 years
So we have long term data going back to the early 2000s, not just a few years.
In this YouTube chapter, Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen explains the timeline and safety history in detail: Menopause & Weight Gain | Dr. Rocio Salas-Whalen - GLP-1 Medications: Duration and Safety
What does the safety record show?
At Alloy, safety is our top priority. The National Institutes of Health has concluded that GLP-1 medications do not present significant safety issues when prescribed and monitored by a healthcare provider.
From the available long term data:
No increase in pancreatic cancer has been seen
No increase in thyroid cancer has been seen
These medications have been studied extensively before and after approval
Like all medications, they can have side effects, most commonly:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Heartburn
Fatigue or headache
For most patients, these are mild to moderate and improve over time as the body adjusts.
If you’d like a deeper dive into safety and side effects, you can read more here: Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Safe? | GLP-1 Side Effects
At Alloy, our doctors carefully screen for risk factors and monitor you closely through our Weight Care program to ensure treatment is appropriate and safe for your individual health profile. If you are curious whether GLP-1 therapy might be right for you, you can explore our Weight Care program
This answer was created using the following resources: