Practical Guidelines for the Safe Use of Weight Loss Injections
This post is for general information only. Before starting any medication be sure to discuss the fully with your doctor how the medication may interact with other drugs and supplements that you take.
Injectable weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro are revolutionising weight loss for many people. Like any medication, they need to be taken with care, and under appropriate healthcare supervision.
Before Starting Weight Loss Injections
List any conditions you have, such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity etc. Make a complete medication list including:
- Prescription medications.
- Over-the-counter drugs.
- Supplements and vitamins.
- Herbal products.
- Birth control methods.
Share this list with your prescribing doctor, pharmacist and dietitian, and keep it handy for any other healthcare professionals you may consult. This is especially important if you consult a new doctor or other healthcare professional, including a The keys are transparency and communication.locum at your usual clinic.
Never assume that a doctor will know your full medication history.
Discuss with your doctor what the likely interactions will be between the weight loss injectable and any other medications you take.
Remember that the injectable often brings its own side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, and the severity of these side-effects can vary between people.
After beginning Treatment
Monitor for changes in how your other medications work:
- If diabetic, your blood sugar levels.
- Your blood pressure.
- Any change in the effectiveness of pain medications.
- If on oral contraceptives, any breakthrough bleeding.
Time your medications appropriately
- Take critical medications at consistent times.
- Consider taking some medications before your weight loss injection if their timing is crucial.
- Don’t skip doses of your medications just because you feel nauseous.
When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience:
- Signs of low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, confusion).
- Unusual bleeding or bruising (if on blood thinners).
- Breakthrough bleeding or missed periods (if on birth control).
- Medications that seem less effective than usual.
- Any new or worsening symptoms.
Starting New Medications
If you need to start a new medication while on weight loss injections, inform the prescribing doctor that you’re taking a weight loss medication by injection. They may need to adjust dosage or timing.
Surgery or Procedures
Before any surgery or medical procedure, make sure all healthcare providers know you’re taking weight loss injections. These might need to be temporarily stopped before certain procedures.
Emergency Situations
In emergencies, always inform medical staff that you’re taking weight loss injections, especially if you’re unconscious and someone else is speaking for you. Keep a medication list in your wallet and make sure your next-of-kin and/or contact person is aware of it.
Injectable weight loss medications are potentially life-changing for many people, but like all medicines need to be taken with care and with regard to interactions with other medications.
With proper medical supervision before starting injectables, and throughout the course of treatment, most people can safely take weight loss injections alongside their other necessary medications.
The keys are transparency and communication.
Make sure all your healthcare providers know about all the medications and supplements you’re taking.