Learn about common side effects of non-GLP-1 oral weight loss medications like phentermine topiramate and bupropion naltrexone, and how to manage them.

What side effects can occur with non-GLP-1 oral weight loss medications | Alloy Health Knowledge Base

Q&A: What side effects can occur wi...

What side effects can occur with non-GLP-1 oral weight loss medications?

Non GLP 1 oral weight loss medications, such as phentermine topiramate or bupropion naltrexone, can have a different side effect profile compared to injectable GLP 1s.

Some possible side effects include:

Palpitations

Tremors

Difficulty sleeping

Dry mouth

As discussed in this helpful video chapter on managing oral medication side effects, dosing is key. These medications are typically started at a very low dose and increased slowly based on how you are feeling. There is no rush to reach the highest dose, and if you do not feel well, your doctor may adjust or stop the medication.

You can watch the full explanation here: Navigating Weight Gain in Midlife: Hormones, Health, and Solutions | Liz Plosser & Dr. Disha Narang - Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Medications https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBRBZbcbHH8\&t=2038s

Here at Alloy, our Weight Care program is designed to provide close medical supervision, personalized dosing, and ongoing support to help minimize side effects and make sure your treatment feels manageable and safe. You can learn more about our comprehensive approach here: Alloy Weight Care Program https://www.myalloy.com/weight

Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications Safe? | GLP-1 Side Effects

How GLP-1s Support Weight Loss & Metabolic Health

Are you struggling with weight gain that won’t budge, even if you’re doing everything “right”? It’s not in your head—and it’s definitely not your fault.

Join us for an honest and eye-opening conversation with Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a dual board-certified physician in internal and obesity medicine and author of The Ozempic Revolution, moderated by Alloy’s Community Manager, Rachel Hughes. Together, they’ll unpack why weight gain in perimenopause and menopause is so common—and so misunderstood.

They’ll explore the real drivers behind midlife weight changes, including hormonal shifts, metabolic slowdown, and body composition changes. Plus, they’ll dive into the science behind today’s most talked-about treatments—like GLP-1 medications plus Menopause Hormone Therapy (MHT)—and how they can support long-term health and real results.

Whether you’re just starting to notice changes or have been frustrated for years, you’ll walk away with validation, clarity, and powerful tools to help you reclaim your well-being.

Dr. Alexandra Sowa is the founder of the metabolic health brand SoWell, and a leading expert in GLP-1 medications. She’s the author of The Ozempic Revolution and a clinical instructor at NYU School of Medicine. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, Women’s Health, and more. When she’s not advocating for evidence-based care, she’s home in Summit, NJ, with her husband and four kids, catching up on sleep and reality TV.

Timestamps:
01:37 - Metabolism changes in peri/menopause
03:55 - Who is a candidate for GLP-1 medications?
9:25 - How GLP-1 medications work
14:27 - Discussing hyper responders
17:16 - Benefits of using MHT and GLP-1s together
19:48 - What to expect when starting GLP-1s
27:39 - The importance of protein and carbs
31:48 - GLP-1 medication dosing
35:23 - Switching GLP-1 medications
36:12 - Discussing gallstones and pancreatitis
42:21 - Discussing hair loss
43:38 - Impacts of inflammation on the body
45:53 - Semaglutide vs tirzepatide
46:58 - More on protein
49:58 - Using GLP-1s with liver issues
50:27 - Can you start MHT and GLP-1 medications at the same time
51:32 - Do GLP-1 medications lower hormones?
52:25 - Discussing oral GLP-1s
53:00 - Explaining leptin
55:50 - Explaining Metformin
56:27 - Exercise and strength training
1:00:20 - Discussing compounded tirzepatide
1:02:07 - How weight loss can improve sleep apnea
1:04:03 - Discussing trauma around weight
1:08:41 - Does weight loss decrease bone size
1:09:47 - Discussing glucocorticoid

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 #menopause #perimenopause #menopausesymptoms #perimenopausesymptoms #estrogen #mht #hrt #hormonetherapy #alloywomenshealth #womenshealth #glp1medication  #glp1 #menopauseweightloss

What’s Really Behind Menopausal Weight Gain—and How to Treat It | Dr. Alexandra Sowa - Managing Side Effects and Medication Dosing

Midlife weight gain is incredibly common. It’s often driven by hormonal shifts, and the old “eat less, move more” routine that worked in your 20s doesn’t cut it anymore. The good news? It’s treatable.

Join us for a webinar with Liz Plosser, an Alloy contributor and the former Editor-in-Chief of Women’s Health, and Dr. Disha Narang, a board-certified endocrinologist and specialist in obesity medicine. Together, they’ll explore the biological and hormonal factors that influence weight regulation in midlife, review evidence-based treatments including medication options, and discuss how nutrition, physical activity, and stress management can work together to support metabolic health. This conversation will cut through the noise to equip you with the knowledge to take meaningful, personalized steps toward your health and body composition goals.

Dr. Narang is a leading endocrinologist, obesity and culinary medicine specialist, and Director of Obesity Medicine at Endeavor Health System in Chicago. She graduated with her medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and completed her residency and endocrinology fellowship at the University of Chicago.

Dr. Narang is extremely passionate about combatting our epidemic of obesity and diabetes through targeting our food environment. She especially loves working with women at all stages of their lives, in addition to families navigating obesity and chronic disease.

Dr. Narang has been featured in several national and global media outlets, including the BBC, CNN, Wall Street Journal, and NPR, speaking on the obesity epidemic, diabetes, chronic medical weight management, and our food environment.

Timestamps: 
02:44 - Discussing weight gain in midlife
07:40 - Explaining GLP-1 medications
11:45 - Safety and efficacy of GLP-1 medications
14:00 - Discussing oral GLP-1 medications
16:00 - Types of GLP-1 medications
20:00 - Candidacy for GLP-1 medications
30:50 - Discussing side effects
38:33 - Importance of exercise
44:00 - Combining MHT and GLP-1 medications
46:00 - How to optimize your macros
49:16 - Discussing supplements
51:10 - When to change your dose
54:20 - Discussing resistance training
57:37 - Centering women's health in midlife


#menopause #perimenopause #menopausesymptoms #perimenopausesymptoms #alloywomenshealth #womenshealth #glp1 #glp1medication

Navigating Weight Gain in Midlife: Hormones, Health, and Solutions | Liz Plosser & Dr. Disha Narang - Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Medications

NYU School of Medicine

Founder of the metabolic health brand SoWell, leading expert in GLP-1 medications, author of The Ozempic Revolution, and clinical instructor at NYU School of Medicine.

Dual board-certified physician in internal and obesity medicine, clinical instructor

Dr. Alexandra Sowa

Endeavor Health System, Chicago

Leading endocrinologist, obesity and culinary medicine specialist, and Director of Obesity Medicine at Endeavor Health System. Passionate about combatting obesity and diabetes through targeting the food environment, with a focus on women and families navigating obesity and chronic disease. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; residency and endocrinology fellowship at the University of Chicago