It’s secure to say the demand for (and recognition of) GLP-1 medication for weight reduction has by no means been increased. Drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound (to not point out the diabetes drug Ozempic, which isn’t really meant to be prescribed for weight reduction) have taken the tradition by storm. And now, we’re seeing over-the-counter GLP-1 dietary supplements hit the market, claiming to get the identical job finished.
However can these non-prescription choices ship the identical outcomes, and are they really secure? Right here, weight problems drugs medical doctors give us the low-down on GLP-1 medication for weight reduction and over-the-counter choices.
First, a fast refresh on GLP-1 drugs
GLP-1 is brief for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist drugs, initially created to deal with kind 2 diabetes, says Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, an weight problems drugs skilled who’s triple board-certified in inner drugs. It’d seem to be the time period “GLP-1” popped up out of nowhere, however these prescribed drugs have been round for some time. They work by activating the receptor for the GLP-1 hormone, which is of course produced within the small gut.
“This hormone slows the motion of meals by way of the abdomen,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “It additionally acts on power regulation within the mind by up-regulating power expenditure and lowering power storage pathways.”
On this means, GLP-1 medication cut back meals cravings and starvation indicators, which regularly leads to weight reduction.
“A very powerful space the place these work is within the mind and an space known as the hypothalamus,” says Jorge Moreno, MD, an inner drugs doctor who can be board-certified in weight problems drugs. “And so that is what controls urge for food and helps management your meals indicators.”
Are there over-the-counter GLP-1 medication (and do they work)?
Fantasy-busting second: Technically, there aren’t any precise over-the-counter GLP-1 medication. Dietary supplements? Sure, however as a way to be thought of reputable medication, they’d have to be categorized as a medicine by the Meals & Drug Administration (FDA). GLP-1 dietary supplements miss the mark and are not authorized by the FDA, Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
“Dietary dietary supplements are regulated as meals, not medication, they usually can not declare to deal with, diagnose, mitigate, forestall, or remedy illnesses,” she says. “They will make claims to advertise or assist well being, however an over-the-counter complement couldn’t declare to deal with weight problems.”
In contrast to prescribed drugs, dietary supplements aren’t required to undergo scientific trials, so you will discover that the majority haven’t any credible analysis to again up their claims. The FDA additionally does not consider these merchandise for security earlier than they’re offered, and except they’re third-party verified (by an organization like USP, NSF, or Client Lab), there isn’t any actual solution to know that the complement contains the components it claims within the quantity it claims.
When you ask an weight problems drugs physician whether or not they’re even value your time (or cash!), the reply is… most likely not.
“Apart from common multivitamins and commonplace dietary supplements comparable to calcium and vitamin D, I don’t often advocate many different dietary supplements,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “And within the case of weight administration, I feel it’s a waste of time. A a lot better use of time could be to see how a affected person might optimize their wholesome consuming and train patterns.”
“As in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it most likely is.” —Meghan Garcia-Webb, MD, weight problems and inner drugs physician
Dangers of GLP-1 dietary supplements
As a result of GLP-1 dietary supplements aren’t nicely regulated, we now have to watch out with them and be essential about what’s really inside, Dr. Moreno says. Some dietary supplements could comprise components like caffeine, which could be dangerous to anybody who’s delicate to stimulants or has a historical past of coronary heart well being points. “So that they must positively talk about the components with their well being care supplier to actually know precisely what’s in it,” Dr. Moreno says. This goes double for individuals who take different drugs, as a result of it is potential for complement components to negatively work together with sure medication.
The final dangers of all dietary supplements is that they aren’t held to the identical security requirements as a medicine.
“The FDA doesn’t routinely check dietary supplements for security or efficacy. The onus is on the producers and distributors to ensure the product is secure, and the FDA usually will intervene if there are considerations after a product goes to market,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. “Particularly for GLP-1 dietary supplements, I fear that sufferers are being misled in regards to the well being advantages that may be achieved with these over-the-counter dietary supplements.”
Options to OTC GLP-1 “medication”
Popping a once-a-day weight-loss complement would possibly seem to be the best weight-loss choice, however in the long term, it isn’t an efficient (or sustainable) technique.
“Sufferers typically wish to strive dietary supplements as a result of they’re straightforward to entry and add into one’s routine. However by way of weight, the simpler alternate options are the boring ones,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says. As an alternative of taking weight reduction dietary supplements, she suggests these alternate options:
“It sounds so easy, but it surely’s tougher to actively change these items than it’s to take a tablet, so it’s not shocking that dietary supplements are interesting,” she says. “However as in lots of instances, if one thing appears too good to be true, it most likely is.”
One of the simplest ways to get a secure, dependable, and efficient GLP-1 medicine is thru a prescription out of your physician or an weight problems drugs specialist.
“It is usually of utmost significance that sufferers buy the FDA-approved variations of those drugs and don’t purchase from unregulated sources, comparable to compounding pharmacies,” Dr. Garcia-Webb says.
The FDA notes that folks ought to solely use medication they’ve gotten by way of prescription from a licensed well being care supplier, and they need to solely get these drugs from state-licensed pharmacies or outsourcing amenities registered with the FDA.
—reviewed by Jennifer Gilbert, MD, MPH
