Lack of Efficacy / Medication Not Working
Users on Reddit report varied experiences regarding the efficacy of GLP-1 medications, with some finding them highly effective while others report a lack of desired results or the medication not working at all. Several factors are discussed as potential reasons for this, along with some suggested remedies or alternative approaches.
Experiences with Lack of Efficacy / Medication Not Working:
Dosage Issues: For some, the medication may not work or stop working at lower doses. A user mentioned, "I was on ozempic for 3 months and I didnt lose any weight or notice any differences. "[23] Another commented, "I couldn’t tolerate metformin at all & I switched to trulicity & spent 2yrs on it & now I’m on wegovy to loose more weight (when I started trulicity I was 180 then got down to 152. 5 - 155) I been gaining tho bc the wegovy dose is too low tho. "[10]
Plateaus and Stalls: Weight loss stalling is a common experience. A user explained, "A lot of people seem to be disappointed with the sudden slow down in weight loss after the initial few weeks. They see this as a sign that the medication \"isn't working\" - which is not the case. "[4] Another user noted, "I've been on for just about 6 months and just hit 41 lbs down... Some weeks I have lost nothing. "[26]
Medication Losing Effectiveness Over Time: Some users find the medication becomes less effective after a period. One user said, "I quit using glp1 after I hit my goal... I had half a vial left and tried using it and I get ALMOST no effect from it. I know shelf life is rather short, and it must be refrigerated, but I am disappointed to see just how fast it became worthless. "[3]
Compounded Medications: There are mentions of compounded versions being less effective or having more side effects. "Talked to my doc and he told me the compound stuff was crap and to try Zepbound. Nervous to switch today, but supposedly less side effects with actual FDA approved stuff. "[16]
Specific GLP-1s Not Working: Some users find one GLP-1 ineffective while another works. "When I started, I was taking Saxenda and it gave me the worst Acid Reflux pain, acne, and didn't do shit for my weight. I only did it for a month before I switched to Zepbound. "[9] Another said, "My body did not respond to zepbound but I’ve had great success on semaglutide. "[24]
Underlying Conditions: As mentioned, unmanaged hypothyroidism and gallbladder issues were cited as potential reasons for lack of efficacy. [1]
Type 1 Diabetes: A user explained that GLP-1 agonists are generally ineffective for Type 1 Diabetes because they rely on functional pancreatic beta cells, which are destroyed in T1DM. [5]
No Weight Loss Despite Appetite Suppression: Some users experience appetite suppression but no weight loss. "Thing is she's also barely eating because of the appetite suppression, and eating mostly fiber, and she hasn't lost weight yet. "[20]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Dosage Adjustments: Some users find they need to reach higher doses for the medication to be effective. "I had to get above 7. 5 to lose but overall I lost 70 lbs. "[25] Another mentioned, "I didn’t feel any hunger decrease until 1. 5mg on Ozempic. "[27] It's also noted that "some people do require higher doses of Tirzepatide/Zepbound , 10mg and up, before they begin seeing significant results. "[22]
Patience and Realistic Expectations: Users advise that weight loss can be slow and stalls are normal. "A stall in weight loss isn't necessarily an indication that the dosage should be increased. More often than not, if you just keep doing what you've been doing, the weight will start to go down again on its own. "[4] Another user emphasized, "slow responders do eventually catch up. "[26]
Lifestyle Factors: Diet and exercise are still important. "Losing weight on a GLP-1 medication STILL requires a caloric deficit (for most people). "[4] One user who didn't lose weight on Ozempic later stated, "When I tried Ozempic, I had only lost maybe 5-8 pounds over the course of 2 months. On Tirzepatide, when coupled with diet and exercise, I’m now down 65 pounds. "[17]
Addressing Underlying Conditions: Managing conditions like hypothyroidism is crucial for medication efficacy. [1]
Proper Medication Handling: Ensuring the medication is stored correctly (e. g. , refrigerated) is important for maintaining its effectiveness. [3]
Consulting Healthcare Providers: If a medication isn't working, discussing it with a doctor is key. They can help adjust dosage, switch medications, or investigate other factors. One user mentioned their doctor advised that if weight loss stalled and food noise returned after at least two weeks, it might be time to increase the dose. [4]
Injection Site Rotation: Some users suggest rotating injection sites, as it anecdotally helped some overcome plateaus. [26]
Consider FDA-Approved Medications: If using compounded versions, switching to an FDA-approved one might lead to better results and fewer side effects.
Experiences with Lack of Efficacy / Medication Not Working:
- Individual Non-Response: Some users simply do not respond to certain GLP-1s.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Switching Medications: If one GLP-1 isn't working or causes intolerable side effects, switching to another might help.