GLP-1 agonists have long served as medication for Type II diabetes, but in the last few years they have gained increasing popularity as an effective weight loss agent. While digestive side effects are often manageable, you may be wondering if these drugs could have a long-term impact on your health.

What are the short-term side effects caused by GLP-1 medications?

When you take GLP-1 medications, they mimic the GLP-1 hormone that is released in the gastrointestinal tract when you eat. The drug slows stomach emptying which helps control your appetite by making you feel fuller for longer. 

Since this process changes how your digestive system acts, common side effects include nausea, constipation, and other types of stomach discomfort. These symptoms may occur in the first few weeks or months of use but often fade after your body has adjusted to the medication. Many people are able to manage these issues with changes to their diet and daily routines.   

What are the long-term GLP-1 side effects? 

Side effects can have varying impacts on individuals as everyone is different. Since your doctor understands your personal health needs, you should discuss potential side effects you might be more likely to have. 

Some people on GLP-1 medications do experience more serious side effects like bowel obstruction, gallstone attacks, or gastroparesis (a condition where your stomach muscles don’t move food in the way they should). More severe issues like pancreatitis, thyroid tumors, or kidney problems have occurred in rare cases.

This is why it’s so important to schedule regular visits with your doctor to monitor your progress. Call your doctor right away if you’re having severe pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or chronic constipation and an inability to move your bowels.

How to help prevent symptoms from becoming serious

There are some steps you can take to prevent and manage GLP-1 side effects, such as:

• Talk to your doctor about starting on a low dose.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Adjust your diet by reducing foods high in fat, sugar, and refined carbohydrates.
• Exercise regularly to stay active and help reduce stress.
• Journal your meals and symptoms to spot potential triggers. 

Keep your doctor updated on your progress and any concerns you have. They can help you make appropriate changes to your diet and routine according to your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter products like Fleet® Liquid Glycerin Suppository or Stimulant Oral Laxative which may provide relief from GLP-1 related constipation. 

Potential positive long-term impact of GLP-1 medications

As for the overall long-term impact, the information currently available is more positive than negative, though more studies need to be conducted. > The good news is that using GLP-1 medications may have protective effects on cardiovascular and kidney health in people with obesity.¹ Scientists are also studying potential links to a decreased risk of dementia as well as other neurological and behavioral benefits.²

When you make lifestyle changes to get active and eat healthier you reduce the risk of health problems caused by obesity. These choices don’t just help you lose weight; they can help you protect your overall health in the years to come.

1 Yu-Nan Huang, et.al. Long-term safety and efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in individuals with obesity and without type 2 diabetes: A global retrospective cohort study. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Nov;26(11):5222-5232. Accessed online: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39171569/

2 Sauerwein, K. Study identifies benefits, risks linked to popular weight-loss drugs (news release). WashU Medicine. 2025 Jan 20. Accessed online: https://medicine.washu.edu/news/study-identifies-benefits-risks-linked-to-popular-weight-loss-drugs/