What are the dangers of weight-loss injections?

A creeping trend has slowly permeated the weight-loss culture.

Some individuals are resorting to weight loss injections and whilst the results on many occasions are satisfactory there are concerns that if these individuals are not screened effectively by a health professional, there could be serious health consequences.

A group of medications known as GLP–1 drugs are being used for weight-loss. Registered and approved for type 2 diabetes, these medications are administered via injection, and this can be done in the home.

Potential side-effects of weight-loss injections

This group of medications can trigger some severe side effects which individuals need to be made aware of.

Taste sensations

Taste alters for some individuals whereby their desire for overly sweet or salty foods is reduced. Some individuals develop an aversion to certain foods which they may previously have enjoyed eating.  

Appetite reduced

Suppressed appetite is common with this tranche of medications. A lacklustre feeling about food leads to reduced quantities being eaten.

There is a danger that some individuals will eat inappropriately, feeling that the injection will counteract this. It is vital that the mindset is focused on a healthy, balanced diet.

Changes in mood 

Some individuals have noticed changes in mood, including depression, suicidal thoughts, brain fog, and even tearfulness. Studies are currently underway to investigate why there is a connection between mood and these medications. It is thought that mood changes happen because of the drug's interaction with the brain including dopamine and serotonin activity.

Interestingly, these medications were designed for individuals with diabetes and data published in 2024 showed that diabetics who took the medications were less likely to have the above side effects. It begs the question ‘Are all these medications suitable for weight-loss if the side effects are mostly associated with individuals without diabetes?’.

Hair loss

This can vary from individual to individual, and for some, it may not occur. But it is a real risk and the hair may not regrow.

What do people experience when they stop these weight-loss injections?

Some individuals have reported heightened depressed feelings and others an increase in energy. Therefore if a person has a predisposition for depressed moods it would be advisable for them to not use the injections but to seek alternatives instead.

Whilst the medication can take up to 25 days to leave the body evidence shows that there is a likelihood of rebound weight gain from 14 to 20%. This could lead to further usage and a cycle forming, like yoyo dieting. This could then lead to further low mood, depression, and disordered eating.

The rebound weight gain is therefore a risk factor for some individuals as they may become addicted to this weight-loss regime. There is a possibility then that they would be trapped in a cycle of weight-loss injections to achieve their goal weight versus rebound weight gain when the medication is stopped.

Professional support for weight-loss

Whilst the idea of losing weight by simply using an injection is appealing, as noted above there are potential negative consequences and risks.

A nutritional therapist can offer a tailored weight-loss programme to suit your circumstances.  This would take into account age, health, symptom profile, medications, family history and much more.  The support given whilst under a professional's wing provides education with regards to food and physiology which lasts a lifetime, whereas the injections’ effectiveness is short-lived.

A tailored weight-loss programme would help educate the individual and unlearn unhelpful habits. Also, by choosing this route the likelihood of malnourishment and triggering other symptoms is much less likely.

Commitment to our overall health with a long-term plan is far more likely to be successful and won't create inappropriate behaviours over food.

Individuals considering weight-loss injections must seek medical help to ensure that they are fit enough to sustain this type of intravenous injection. Individuals who already suffer from a gallbladder, liver, or pancreas condition should consider very carefully whether they commit to this route.

Buyer beware is the moral of this article. It may seem a quick fix to inject yourself with a medication that is designed for diabetics and achieve considerable weight-loss but at what risk?

Also, currently, genuine diabetics are at risk of being deprived of this medication, which is vital for them, due to the boom in weight loss users. Diabetics require a prescription for this medication and despite not being licensed for weight-loss, these drugs are being abused.