GLP-1 weight‑loss drugs raise safety and misuse concerns

Medical experts fielded Reddit questions about GLP‑1 medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Zepbound), noting common side effects—nausea, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and low appetite—and offering guidance on symptom management, hydration, diet, and when to seek emergency care.

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that 32% of patients with eating disorders reported using a GLP‑1 injection at least once, more than double the 15% use rate in the general population. Over 10% of those patients misused the drugs by altering doses, extending treatment duration, tampering with injection equipment, or sharing them without a prescription. Dr. Stephanie Widmer said GLP‑1s can be “incredibly beneficial in the right patient and potentially problematic in the wrong patient,” and Dr. Sarah Oreck warned that rapid weight loss can mask the re‑emergence of an eating disorder.