Weight Loss Drugs - Adversely Affecting Other Body Systems?

Authored by: Saoni Pan

Art by: Mia Hsu

While many of the new weight loss drugs are intended to treat issues like diabetes and obesity, it can often feel like every celebrity, influencer, and advertisement is either using or promoting these new weight loss drugs. Brand-name prescriptions like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro are becoming a part of the everyday American vocabulary. However, few know that their effectiveness relies on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

GLP-1 is a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. GLP-1 receptor agonists act similarly to the GLP-1 hormone by binding to its receptors. By activating the GLP-1 receptors, insulin release increases, while glucagon secretion decreases. Essentially, the GLP-1 receptor agonists are able to lower blood glucose and decrease food intake by suppressing appetite [1]. This mechanism of the GLP-1 receptor agonists is what makes these drugs so effective in weight loss. To no surprise, their effectiveness has created popularity and vast usage of the drugs. Many of their side effects have also gone viral.

While many of these drugs are incredibly effective, there are several unexpected side effects. Many users have a characteristically angular and sagging face due to rapid weight loss. The morphological change typically results in decreased collagen in the skin and a damaged skin barrier, giving them an aged appearance. A recent study found a correlation between the usage of GLP-1 receptor agonists and cosmetic procedures, such as surgeries and fillers, to alleviate these morphological side effects. Fillers are frequently used to tighten the face, and body contouring surgeries can be performed to remove extra skin from rapid weight loss [2]. In fact, facial plastic surgeons have reported a 50% increase in facial graft surgeries because of the increasing use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and their resulting “Ozempic face” side effect [3]. Thus, GLP-1 receptor agonists are influencing a variety of other medical specialties. While the media have criticized the “Ozempic face” phenomenon, it is important to know that there are many treatment options to reduce these unwanted changes as well.

Beyond some of these more superficial side effects, there have also been far more dangerous health implications of GLP-1 receptor agonists. A study in 2023 compared the risks of serious gastrointestinal events between GLP-1 receptor agonists and another unrelated weight loss drug. They found that the biliary disease, pancreatitis, bowel obstruction, and gastroparesis were significantly higher for GLP-1 receptor agonist users [4]. Specifically for pancreatitis, there was a 17-fold increase in risk for GLP-1 receptor agonist users. While GLP-1-related pancreatitis diagnoses are rare, the implications of pancreatitis can be severe and sometimes fatal. 

Possibly one of the most frustrating side effects of a weight loss drug is weight regain after cessation, as it prevents maintenance of the drug’s effects. In fact, regardless of lifestyle changes, discontinuing weight loss drugs with GLP-1 receptor agonists leads to significant weight gain [5]. Thus, the GLP-1 drugs often become a chronic, life-long obesity and diabetic management technique. Long-term impacts of these drugs remain understudied, and it is important to consider the implications of lifelong use of the drugs.

There are numerous side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists, some of which are minor, others of which are severe, and many that remain largely unclear. These side effects and unknowns are certainly important to acknowledge when considering the use of weight loss drugs. However, there are immense benefits of drugs like Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. These GLP-1 receptor agonists are incredibly effective in treating obesity and diabetes, as well as broader applications in neurodegenerative diseases and even stroke [6]. Therefore, the popularization and media craze surrounding new weight loss drugs are valid. Nonetheless, the implications and science behind these drugs should remain at the forefront when considering the use of popularized drugs like Oxempic or Zepbound.

References:

1. Zheng, Z., Zong, Y., Ma, Y., Tian, Y., Pang, Y., Zhang, C., & Gao, J. (2024). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1), 234. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-024-01931-z

2. Daneshgaran, G., Shauly, O., & Gould, D. J. (2025). “Ozempic Face” in Plastic Surgery: A Systematic review of the literature on GLP-1 receptor agonist mediated weight loss and analysis of public perceptions. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 7, ojaf056. https://doi.org/10.1093/asjof/ojaf056

3. Jodat, Z., Shahzad, K., Younas, M., Afridi, H., & Mahato, R. K. (2025). Emergence of “ozempic face”: addressing unintended consequences of rapid weight loss. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 88(2), 2087–2088. https://doi.org/10.1097/ms9.0000000000004254

4. Sodhi, M., Rezaeianzadeh, R., Kezouh, A., & Etminan, M. (2023). Risk of gastrointestinal adverse events associated with Glucagon-Like peptide-1 receptor agonists for weight loss. JAMA, 330(18), 1795. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2023.19574

5. Berg, S., Stickle, H., Rose, S. J., & Nemec, E. C. (2025). Discontinuing glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists and body habitus: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 26(8), e13929. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.13929

6. Olukorode, J. O., Orimoloye, D. A., Nwachukwu, N. O., Onwuzo, C. N., Oloyede, P. O., Fayemi, T., Odunaike, O. S., Ayobami-Ojo, P. S., Divine, N., Alo, D. J., & Alex, C. U. (2024). Recent advances and therapeutic benefits of Glucagon-Like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists in the management of Type 2 diabetes and associated metabolic disorders. Cureus, 16(10), e72080. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.72080