A new study named some of the most common potential side effects of weight loss jabs (Image: Getty)
A new study has listed some of the most common side effects of weight loss jabs. Almost half of participants using GLP-1 inhibitors reported issues.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone produced in the gut that helps control blood sugar and appetite. The use of GLP-1 inhibitors, or receptor agonists, has surged in recent years due to their effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels among diabetic patients and aiding weight loss.
Available in injection form, some of these medications can be obtained through the NHS for eligible patients. However, as with any medication, health authorities have warned they can cause side effects.
Now, a new study has used anecdotal evidence from patients to determine some of the most common side effects of the jabs.
The research, which was published in Nature Health, used AI to analyse social media posts to uncover patient-reported side effects linked to these medications that may not yet have been studied in clinical trials.
Almost half of participants using GLP-1 inhibitors reported side effects (Image: Getty)
The study examined more than 400,000 Reddit posts from nearly 70,000 users discussing GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Among the most reported side effects were gastrointestinal symptoms, which are already highlighted by health organisations such as the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
However, it also highlighted reproductive symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles and unexpected bleeding, and temperature-related issues, such as chills, hot flashes, and feeling unusually cold.
On top of this, fatigue emerged as a frequently discussed symptom, despite being less prominent in clinical trial data.
Senior author Dr Sharath Chandra Guntuku, from the University of Pennsylvania, said: “Some of the side effects we found, like nausea, are well known, and that shows the method is picking up a real signal.
“The underreported symptoms are leads that came from patients themselves, unprompted, and clinicians could potentially pay attention to them.”
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What were the most commonly reported side effects?
Within the study, a total of 67,008 Reddit users self-reported using these medications. Of these, 43.5% described at least one side effect.
- Nausea (36.9%)
- Fatigue (16.7%)
- Vomiting (16.3%)
- Constipation (15.3%)
- Diarrhoea (12.6%)
Study authors added: “Notably, reproductive symptoms (for example, menstrual irregularities) and temperature-related complaints (for example, chills and hot flushes) emerged as unrecognised potential effects.
“These findings highlight patient concerns not well captured in current labelling or trials. Large-scale social media analysis can complement traditional pharmacovigilance by detecting emerging safety signals and expanding understanding of the real-world safety profile of GLP-1 RAs.”
