Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – GLP-1 medications, widely promoted for weight loss, are delivering measurable results—but they also raise important questions about safety, long-term use, and sustainability, according to Dr. Shane Speights, dean of the NYIT School of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University.
Interviewed by LaGanzie Kale recently on Community Conversations on KLEK-FM, Speights offered a physician’s perspective on the fast-growing class of drugs, including semaglutide-based medications commonly marketed under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a hormone naturally produced by the body. GLP-1 medications are synthetic versions designed to last longer and produce sustained effects.
“These drugs work through several mechanisms,” Speights said. They increase insulin release, reduce glucose production in the liver, slow digestion, and signal the brain that the body is full. Together, those effects reduce appetite and promote weight loss.
The medications were originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes and remain highly effective for blood sugar control, Speights said. Unlike some diabetes drugs, GLP-1 medications are designed to avoid dangerously low blood sugar when used alone.
Weight loss varies by patient and medication. Speights said most patients lose between 10% and 15% of their body weight, with some losing more. Injectable versions tend to work more quickly, while newer oral forms produce slower weight loss over a longer period and may be less expensive.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, fatigue, and headaches. These symptoms are largely related to slowed digestion.
Speights also cautioned that GLP-1 drugs can lead to muscle loss.
“If patients aren’t eating enough protein or getting proper nutrition, they lose muscle along with fat,” he said, emphasizing the importance of exercise and dietary planning while using the medications.
GLP-1 drugs are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers. Speights said patients should carefully review risks with their physicians before starting treatment.
His own prescribing approach is conservative. He primarily uses GLP-1 medications for diabetic patients who are significantly overweight or obese, where the benefits are well established.
Early studies suggested patients regained weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. More recent U.S. research shows patients who maintained diet and exercise habits were able to keep much of the weight off for at least a year after discontinuing treatment.
“That’s encouraging,” Speights said. “Because the idea of being on a medication for life just to maintain weight loss is concerning.”
Researchers are also examining unexpected effects of GLP-1 drugs on addictive behaviors, including alcohol use and compulsive habits. Speights said those findings highlight how much remains unknown about the medications’ impact on the brain.
“We’re still learning,” he said. “The body is far more complex than we sometimes give it credit for.”
Speights described GLP-1 medications as one of the most significant advances in metabolic medicine in more than a decade. Still, he cautioned against viewing them as a stand-alone solution.
“For some patients, especially those with diabetes, this can be a very effective tool,” he said. “But long-term health still depends on lifestyle—diet, activity, sleep, and mental wellness.”
To watch the full interview, visit the KLEK-FM Facebook page.