- Misconceptions about the benefits and risks of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are common.
- Not all GLP-1 drugs are the same, and different medications may affect people differently.
- Before starting a GLP-1 drug, talk with a healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits.
It likely won’t surprise you to hear that the GLP-1 drugs semaglutide (better known by the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) and tirzepatide (sold under the brand names Monjouro and Zepbound) were among the top 10 most popular drugs by U.S. spending in 2023.
The medications have been heralded has game-changing treatments for diabetes and obesity. But as their popularity has grown, so too have persistent myths and misinformation about them.
“The reality is that each of these is prescribed to achieve different health goals, and like any medication, they each come with potential risks that patients should be educated on in order to make informed decisions with their healthcare providers,” says HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D., pharmacist and clinical consultant for BuzzRx.
In an effort to clarify common misconceptions, Healthline spoke with experts who helped identify and debunk the eight most common myths currently being shared about GLP-1 drugs.
The short answer: “Nothing guarantees weight loss,” says Dr. Mir Ali, MD, a board certified bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center.