Experts say these side-effects can relate to the way the medications work: slowing the progress of food through the digestive tract, slowing stomach emptying and affecting signalling from the gut to the brain.<\/p>\n
Because of strong evidence for such side-effects, they are described in patient leaflets as very common \u2013 although manufacturers note they usually go away over time.<\/p>\n
Eye conditions<\/p>\n
More than one eye condition has been flagged in relation to GLP-1 medications. Last year, a study revealed people<\/a> with diabetes who use the drugs could face double the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, while reports based on adverse event reporting systems<\/a> and matched cohort studies<\/a> have suggested some GLP-1 medications have the potential to cause an eye disorder called non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. This condition can cause sudden \u2013 and permanent \u2013 sight loss.<\/p>\n Pharmaceutical companies accept this is a possible side-effect of some GLP-1 medications \u2013 for example it is mentioned in the patient leaflets of Wegovy \u2013 but experts stress it is very rare.<\/p>\n There have been numerous reports of unexpected pregnancies among those using GLP-1 medications. As a result, women have been encouraged to pair their use with effective contraception.<\/a><\/p>\n Experts say there are plausible \u2013 albeit unconfirmed \u2013 explanations, noting for example that GLP-1 medications may interfere with the efficacy of oral contraceptives or increase fertility in women because they help with weight loss.<\/p>\n However, conclusive research remains scant \u2013 not least as pregnancy or intention to become pregnant were exclusion criteria in initial clinical trials of such drugs. Research into whether GLP-1 medications affect male fertility are also in their infancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Experts have also noted unplanned pregnancies regularly occur among people using oral contraceptives who are not using GLP-1 medications.<\/p>\n The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has stated<\/a> GLP-1 medicines should not be taken during pregnancy or just before trying to get pregnant. \u201cThis is because there is not enough safety data to know whether taking a GLP-1 medicine can cause harm to the baby.\u201d<\/p>\n Similar warnings are present in patient information leaflets.<\/p>\n Ozempic face<\/p>\n Social media is awash with people reporting a dramatic change in facial appearance after using GLP-1 medications, including sunken eyes, wrinkles, facial ageing and sagging skin. While not mentioned in patient information, such changes have been recognised by surgeons as a result of rapid weight loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n But the effect is not confined to any particular GLP-1 medication and can also arise from other interventions that can result in significant weight loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n Hair thinning<\/p>\n Hair loss hit the headlines this week after research suggested<\/a> it could be associated with the use of GLP-1 medications in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is not the first time a potential link has been mooted \u2013 patient leaflets for Mounjaro and Wegovy list it as a common side-effect.<\/p>\n Experts have previously called for further research<\/a> in the area. While mechanisms remain speculative, one possible explanation<\/a> is that such hair loss is down to rapid weight loss \u2013 and its associated metabolic changes and nutritional deficiencies \u2013 rather than the medications themselves.<\/p>\n Indeed, studies note hair loss is a common complication after metabolic and bariatric surgery<\/a> with the phenomenon also documented in crash dieters<\/a>.<\/p>\n While the latest study did not look at whether the hair loss was reversible, the researchers say their analyses suggest the observed association is primarily driven by non-scarring forms of alopecia \u2013 for example, telogen effluvium \u2013 noting these are often reversible.<\/p>\n So-called Ozempic foot \u2013 a term for a bony appearance of the feet, with some people also reporting foot pain \u2013 has been claimed to be a side-effect of GLP-1 medications, but it is not found in patient information leaflets.<\/p>\n While studies are scarce, it seems rapid weight loss \u2013 by any means \u2013 can have an effect on your feet. Podiatrists have noted this can include a loss of soft tissue, noting a reduction in fat padding can affect the cushioning of the heels and balls of the feet, resulting in foot pain.<\/p>\n![\"'I've](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1784968932_733_1920.jpg\")
‘I’ve lost my butt’: how rapid weight loss can leave you with less muscle and more fatPregnancies<\/p>\n