Wegovy and Mounjaro Side Effects: What Evidence Backs Them?
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- GLP-1 medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have boomed in popularity, and researchers this week suggested the drugs could be associated with hair loss in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Digestive problems including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are well-documented in clinical trials and described as 'very common' in patient leaflets, tied to how the medications slow food through the digestive tract.
- A study found diabetes patients using GLP-1 drugs could face double the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, while separate reports suggest a link to non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which can cause sudden permanent sight loss.
- Unexpected pregnancies have been reported among GLP-1 users, prompting recommendations for effective contraception; the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency says the drugs should not be taken during pregnancy due to insufficient safety data.
- 'Ozempic face' — sunken eyes, wrinkles, and sagging skin — has been recognized by surgeons as a result of rapid weight loss, but the effect is not unique to GLP-1 medications and can arise from any intervention causing significant weight loss.
- 'Ozempic foot' — a bony appearance of the feet with foot pain — is not listed in patient information leaflets, though podiatrists note rapid weight loss can reduce fat padding; one study found sleeve gastrectomy was associated with decreased shoe size a year later.
Why it matters: The patchwork of evidence — from clinical trial data for digestive issues to social media hearsay for 'Ozempic face' and 'Ozempic foot' — leaves patients weighing well-documented risks against unverified claims. Manufacturers have already added hair loss to Wegovy and Mounjaro leaflets as a 'common' side-effect, while the UK regulator advises against use during pregnancy.
