BEND, Ore. – Nearly two decades after GLP-1 receptor agonists were first approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, the drugs have surged in popularity as a weight-loss tool, drawing millions of users worldwide — and stirring both praise and controversy. While some patients say medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are life-changing, it comes with some controversy, from misconceptions to lawsuits.
After struggling with her health for years, Jennifer Burnett of Redmond was tired of trying things that didn’t work.
“I’ve already tried those things, and not just short-term. I’m talking I invested years on different processes,” Burnett said. “It’s really tough when the specialists don’t have answers of why the pounds aren’t coming off.”
Burnett said GLP-1s were a last resort. She has been on Ozempic for three months now. In the first month, she lost 15 pounds.
She said one of the hardest challenges is facing the misconceptions that come with taking the weight loss medication.
“I like to be outdoors and be active, but being overweight, people assume that’s not what I’m all about,” Burnett said.
Kevin Jones, owner and medical director of Flow Wellness in Bend, says some people feel guilty about going on GLP-1s.
“We’re in this culture where we’re eating unhealthy food and we’re not as active as we used to be and your body has this set point that can eventually develop and it can be really hard to overcome that,” Jones said.
Jones said the medication works by activating the enzyme that tells your body that it’s full. The medication is developed from the venom of a Gila monster, which is a giant lizard that only has to eat every several months.
“People call it food noise or food cravings, and GLP-1s really calm that food noise down,” Jones said.
But the medication isn’t without its side effects. One of the most common side effects is gastrointestinal problems, with loss of vision being a much less common symptom, according to Jones.
“Whether you’re losing weight because you’re not eating, whether you’re losing weight because you’re taking GLP-1s, you can have gallstones form that lead to gallbladder disease,” Jones said.
Burnett said many assume she is taking the medication for appearance reasons. Burnett has a teenage daughter and she tries to make it clear she is taking the medication to live a healthier life.
“That’s not something that she needs, and I want her to know, for a teenager, her image is not about medication or things like that, it’s about being healthy,” Burnett said.