What should you know about GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs?

They can slow movement of food from the stomach, help you feel full sooner, and support the body's response to blood glucose. Some are used for type 2 diabetes, while some are prescribed for weight management. The suitable medicine, dose, and schedule depend on your health, other medicines, and treatment goal.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, reduced appetite, or indigestion can occur, especially when treatment starts or the dose changes. These effects may settle, but persistent symptoms can cause dehydration or make it difficult to eat and drink.

Use only a product prescribed for you and follow its instructions for timing, storage, and dose changes. Do not share injection pens or combine products that contain similar ingredients unless your clinician has specifically advised it.

Tell the prescriber about pregnancy or plans for pregnancy, previous pancreas or gallbladder problems, severe stomach symptoms, kidney disease, allergies, and every medicine or supplement you take. Keep fluids available and choose smaller meals if nausea occurs. Do not stop a regular diabetes medicine without advice.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or persistent upper-abdominal pain, especially with vomiting; fainting or confusion; swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing; or inability to keep fluids down. Contact your clinician promptly for repeated low blood glucose symptoms, ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or a new severe change in vision.

Ask which treatment goal applies to you, how the dose will be increased, what to do after a missed dose, which symptoms need same-day help, and whether your other medicines need adjustment.