GLP-1 agonists have grown quickly in popularity amongst weight loss patients. You may know them commonly as Wegovy, Saxenda or Ozempic; among others. Why have these drugs proven successful patients? Here’s how they work:

1. GLP -1 stands for “Glucagon-like Peptide 1”, and when naturally produced, it belongs to a family of hormones produced in the gut.
2. It acts by:
   • Releasing insulin in response to food.
   • Decreasing glucagon, keeping your blood sugar in balance.
   • Increasing satiety, which allows you to feel full.
   • Decreasing gastric motility, slowing food traveling through the digestive tract.
   • Protecting pancreatic B cells which produce insulin
   • Protects heart function by supporting myocardial electric and mechanical performance
   • Increasing moment of glucose to muscle cells.
   • Decreases the body’s ability to transform non-carbohydrates into glucose
   • Increases cardiac output
3. Synthetically made, these medications have a similar effect on the body. They may be taken orally or by self-administered injection. Some of the most commonly prescribed are:
   • Trulicity (Dulaglutide)—once a week by injection
   • Ozempic (Semaglutide)—once a week by injection
   • Wegovy (Semaglutide) – once a week by injection
   • Saxenda (Liraglutide) – daily by injection
   • Rybelsus (Semaglutide) – taken by mouth once daily
4. Side effects and contraindications to be aware of:
   • Weakness, Dizziness, Headache
   • Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Constipation
   • Local injection site reaction
   • Hypoglycemia
   • Not indicated for those with MEN syndrome or medullary carcinoma of thyroid.

Think you may be a candidate for these medications? We’re currently accepting new patients for our weight loss program, and would love to help you reach your goals! Contact us at 317-548-4666 or contact@mytrimmd.com