Advice for Patients Only use GLP-1 medications under proper medical supervision These are prescription-only medicines that should only be prescribed by registered healthcare professionals Stay well-hydrated throughout treatment Report any concerning side effects to your doctor promptly If getting a private prescription, make sure it comes from authorized sources, like registered pharmacies Read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully and follow the prescribed dose When to Call Your Doctor Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience: Cannot keep fluids down for more than 24 hours Signs of dehydration (extreme thirst, dark urine, dizziness) Severe or persistent stomach pain Fever along with digestive symptoms Blood in vomit or stool Symptoms that seriously affect your daily life despite trying to manage them GLP-1 medications can be effective tools for weight management when used appropriately, but patients should know about potential side effects and how to manage them

Protein at every meal, a consistent plate structure (vegetables and protein first), and reduced ultra-processed food intake have the strongest evidence for sustaining weight loss outcomes
Additional considerations include: Dietary quality changes during weight loss programmes Increased urinary magnesium excretion in poorly controlled diabetes (though GLP-1 therapy typically improves glycaemic control) Concurrent medications that may affect magnesium status, such as proton pump inhibitors or diuretics It is important to note that routine magnesium monitoring is not currently recommended in NICE guidance (NG28) for patients on GLP-1 therapy
B12 can hide some symptoms
AI disclosure The authors did not use generative AI in the preparation of this work