The rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro has been nothing short of meteoric. Originally developed to treat diabetes , these drugs are now widely used for weight loss and have become household names.

But alongside headlines of dramatic transformations are reports of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and unwanted pregnancies after contraception failures.

So what are the risks? And what should you do if you are taking these medicines?

How do these drugs work?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs are medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. They work by reducing blood sugar levels and reducing appetite.

Five medicines in this category are approved for use in Australia:

Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Ozempic (semaglutide)

Wegovy (semaglutide)

Saxenda (liraglutid

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