A doctor has cautioned against the practice of using GLP-1 medications for weight management on an as-needed basis, following comments from reality television personality Emily Simpson. Dr. Joseph Eid, Medical Director at Cumberland Bariatric Institute, stated that such intermittent use is not the intended method for these drugs and could lead to adverse effects.
Simpson, who has documented her 50-pound weight loss journey on "Real Housewives of Orange County," recently shared in an interview that she now uses GLP-1 medication sporadically. She indicated that she takes the injections only when she feels she is beginning to gain weight, aiming to maintain her goal weight. "I use it now to just kind of, like, maintain. So I’ll go a few weeks and not use it, and then I’ll feel like I’m starting to gain weight and then I’ll use it again," Simpson told Us Weekly.
However, Dr. Eid explained that this approach deviates from standard prescription protocols. "Generally speaking, we want to see a consistent drug exposure rather than using it as a rescue or emergency treatment for perceived weight gain," he told the Daily Mail. He noted that prolonged gaps between injections can cause medication levels in the body to drop significantly. Restarting the medication, especially at a higher dose, after such a gap may increase the risk of side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort.
He referenced the prescribing information for medications like Wegovy, which advises that missing two or more consecutive doses may necessitate restarting the dose escalation process to manage potential side effects. GLP-1 medications are typically administered as weekly injections, with dosages starting low and gradually increasing over time.
While these medications have been shown to help patients lose a significant percentage of their body weight, their efficacy and side effect profile can become unpredictable with inconsistent use, according to Dr. Eid. For individuals managing type 2 diabetes alongside weight, sporadic use could also negatively impact glucose management.
"I do want to stress that no matter how you have previously reacted to these drugs, starting your own dosing schedule is not recommended," Eid emphasized. "You need to speak with the prescribing physician to understand what is best for your situation and to monitor for potential issues." He further advised that celebrity accounts of their medication regimens should not be considered medical advice, as individual treatment plans depend on various factors including medication type, dosage, medical history, and other concurrent medications.
Simpson also spoke about her past eating habits, describing herself as having been "mindlessly eating" before her weight loss. She explained that she is now more conscious of her food intake, especially with children in the house.