GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide have transformed obesity care, offering dramatic weight loss and improved cardiometabolic outcomes. But according to JAMA Internal Medicine and Medscape, many physicians may be underutilizing their full clinical potential—or worse, putting patients at risk.
This expert-backed guide outlines five common pitfalls doctors are making today: failing to monitor weight loss effectively, overlooking muscle mass preservation (up to 40% of weight loss may be muscle!), missing micronutrient deficiencies, ignoring the long-term relapse risk, and under-managing side effects like nausea or constipation.
The piece also dives into practical strategies: how to assess treatment response, when to switch drugs, why strength training and protein intake are essential, and how to taper off therapy without triggering rebound weight gain.