Who Should not Take Weight Loss Injections? — Contraindications You Must Know
In recent years, weight loss injections have gained popularity as the best treatment for managing excess weight and obesity-related health conditions. Weight loss injections such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) are the most widely used medications for excess weight management. Unlike other non-surgical weight loss solutions, these glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are effective in weight loss. However, these treatment options are not suitable for everybody. As the global obesity rate rises, people are opting for these injectable medications because they have a structured medical approach to weight management.
Being aware of who is not eligible for weight loss injections is a safety measure and also helps with better patient outcomes. For instance, people with certain health disorders or those using medication for any other health problem might not be eligible or require a specialist’s assessment.
Therefore, in this blog, Dr. Venugopal Pareek outlined some of the main contraindications, precautions, and safety considerations so that patients and healthcare professionals can make informed decisions on treatment and patient safety.
Who should not take weight loss injections?
Though weight loss injections offer certain exceptional benefits, they may be not right choice for everyone.
Those who have either a personal or family history of medical conditions like medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2) are generally advised not to consider GLP-1 receptor agonists because there is a theoretical risk of acquiring thyroid C-cell tumors.
If people with existing digestive disorders consider weight loss injections, they may suffer from side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort, which includes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Some other complications are constipation, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.
These weight loss drugs are also not safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially since no studies or research were done to ensure their safety. If you are on weight loss medication and planning for pregnancy, then you must discontinue the treatment at least 2-3 months before.
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredient used to manufacture the injection, then you are advised against these medications.
If you have type 1 diabetes, then you are not eligible for these medications because they are primarily designed for treating type 2 diabetes, and later they were used for obesity management. Also, these medications cannot be used as a replacement for insulin therapy.
These medications are also not suggested for people suffering from IBS—inflammatory bowel disease, especially liraglutide.
Some experts talk about how pancreatic inflammation and GLP-1 receptor agonists are connected, and it is still being debated. So if you have any history of pancreatic conditions, then a thorough evaluation is essential.
Some researchers also believe those with uncontrolled eating behaviors or severe depression might require specialized treatment if they choose weight loss therapy.
Dr. Venugopal Pareek, one of the best weight loss surgeons in Hyderabad, says that any weight loss expert will and should perform a comprehensive medical examination before suggesting weight loss injections, and this typically involves evaluating functions of the liver and kidneys, a proper gallbladder disease screening, and evaluating mental health issues, if any.
Absolute contraindications you must know
- Allergies
- Cancer history
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disease
- Gallbladder problems
- Heart conditions
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Thyroid conditions or nodules
- Gastroparesis or severe digestive disorders
- Pancreatitis or any other pancreatic conditions
During the medical evaluation before starting weight loss injections, doctors primarily ask about patients medical history, ongoing usage of medications, and their weight loss goals. The evaluation helps both doctors and the patient so that they can make the right decision about weight management.
Evaluation considerations
- Body mass index (BMI) (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with obesity-related conditions).
- Past weight loss attempts
- Depression
- Under 18, except in some special cases
- Above 65 with certain health conditions
These are the primary absolute contraindications for weight loss injection treatment.
In the case of people who are taking insulin or insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas), they need to be evaluated carefully because the dosage of medicine needs to be adjusted to prevent complications like hypoglycemia.
Are you obese? Looking for the best weight loss solutions from experts? Consult Dr. Venugopal Pareek, an experienced weight loss expert in Hyderabad.
