Monitoring and Safety in Weight Loss Medication

Most modern weight loss medicines are well studied and safe when prescribed correctly, but they can affect digestion, hydration, and blood chemistry. Ongoing monitoring protects against rare complications like gallstones or pancreatitis and ensures the best results.

Regular monitoring ensures your treatment is working and that any side effects are spotted early.

• Checks confirm that the medicine is producing expected results, usually a ≥5% weight reduction after 3–6 months.
• Blood tests and symptom reviews identify potential side effects or nutritional gaps.
• Monitoring also supports motivation—patients who track progress are more likely to continue safely.

Your clinician may ask you to record physical and lifestyle changes. A typical monitoring checklist might include:

• Weight and waist measurement
• Appetite, portion sizes, and meal patterns
• Gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, reflux, constipation, diarrhoea)
• Hydration level and urine colour
• Energy, mood, and sleep quality
• Physical activity and step count
• Blood pressure and heart rate (if applicable)

Mild side effects like nausea or constipation are common early on and usually fade as your body adjusts. Tips to help include:

• Eat smaller, slower meals.
• Prioritise protein first.
• Stay hydrated and limit high-fat foods during early titration.
• Use gentle movement or short walks to aid digestion.

Seek medical advice straight away if you experience severe pain, vomiting, or signs of infection. Contact your clinician urgently if you notice:

• Persistent upper-abdominal pain radiating to the back (possible pancreatitis)
• Severe nausea and vomiting preventing fluid intake
• Yellowing of skin or eyes (possible gallbladder or liver issue)
• Unexplained fatigue or fainting
• Rapid heartbeat or chest pain
• Swelling of face, lips, or throat (allergic reaction)
• Spreading redness and heat around injection sites that is persistent

Your eligibility is based on your health profile, BMI, motivation, and the potential benefits versus risks of treatment. Clinicians consider:

• Medical need: BMI, comorbidities, previous attempts.
• Safety: any contraindications or interactions.
• Commitment: engagement with lifestyle support and reviews.
• Response: progress after 3–6 months determines whether to continue.

Healthy eating supports safe and lasting results. Because appetite drops, some people eat too little protein or fibre. Aim for:

• 1.2–1.6 g protein per kg body weight daily
• 25–30 g fibre daily
• Regular fluids (6–8 glasses water or herbal tea)

You and your clinician will decide whether to continue based on your progress and tolerance.

• Continue if weight loss ≥5% after 3–6 months and side effects are manageable.
• Review every 3–6 months thereafter.
• Stop or switch if side effects persist or benefit is limited.

Dr Abby Hyams completed her medical training in Bristol and has been a GP for 19 years, spending many of those as a partner in an NHS practice in Hemel Hempstead. She has a particular passion for supporting patients with weight loss and promoting positive behaviour change, helping individuals build sustainable habits that improve their long-term health and wellbeing.

• NICE NG248: Pharmacological management of obesity
• EMA EPARs for Wegovy, Saxenda, Mounjaro
• ADA Standards of Care 2025
• Wilding JPH et al. NEJM 2021 (STEP 1)
• Jastreboff AM et al. NEJM 2022 (SURMOUNT-1)
• MHRA Yellow Card scheme guidance

This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire alongside other independently validated medical information about you and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases, the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.