Slimming injections from Onjero Vigobi: this is the right treatment for the side effects

The data from large studies explain why the enthusiasm for these drugs is so great. In a large study published in the medical journal New England Journal of Medicine, treatment with semaglutide at a dose of 2.4 mg once a week, along with a change in lifestyle, led after 68 weeks to an average weight loss of 14.9%, compared to 2.4% in the placebo group. In another large study in the same journal, treatment with terazeptide led after 72 weeks to an average weight loss of up to 20.9% at the highest dose tested. In simple words, these are results that in the past were closer to the world of bariatric surgery than to normal drug treatment.

Diarrhea is also a known side effect of these drugs. The explanation is more complex than the vomiting, but it is related to the effect of the drugs on the motility of the digestive system, on the secretion of fluids in the intestine, on the sensitivity of the intestine and the rapid change in eating habits. Some patients switch at once to a menu rich in vegetables, proteins, sugar substitutes, nutritional supplements or diet foods, and the intestine reacts accordingly. For others, fatty or spicy foods, large amounts of coffee, alcohol, or artificial sweeteners may worsen loose stools and urgency.

In this sense, the side effects sometimes also have an “educating effect”. They force the patient to do what is recommended anyway in the treatment of obesity: eat less, more slowly, more orderly and healthier. But it’s important to say clearly: you don’t have to suffer to lose weight. Repeated vomiting or significant diarrhea is not a necessary part of the treatment, and they require adjustment.

The first step is to reduce the portions. Instead of three large meals, it is better to switch to several small meals throughout the day. Sometimes half a sandwich, yogurt, egg, soup, fish, chicken, cooked vegetables or a small portion of rice will go over better than a large meal. You should eat slowly, wait between bites, and stop with the initial feeling of satiety. Not when there is pain, not when there is nausea, but already at the stage when the body signals that enough is enough.

The third step is drinking. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause loss of fluids and salts, and in severe cases also kidney damage, especially in patients with underlying diseases, adults or those taking diuretics. It is important to drink in small sips throughout the day. When there is nausea, quickly drinking a large glass can make it worse. In cases of significant diarrhea, a solution to return fluids and salts can be considered, especially if there is weakness, dizziness or decreased urination.

For diarrhea, you can sometimes also use preparations such as Taskan, according to the recommendation of a doctor or pharmacist. The active substance in the preparation is gelatin tannate, which acts locally in the intestine and is intended to create a kind of protective layer on the intestinal lining. The goal is to reduce local irritation, help restore the function of the intestinal wall and reduce the frequency of stools and their wateriness. However, Taskan does not replace a medical examination if there is fever, blood in the stool, severe abdominal pain, prolonged diarrhea or signs of dehydration.

One of the most important points is the rate of dose increase. Side effects often appear at the beginning of treatment or after switching to a higher dose. In sensitive patients, it is possible to consider, together with the doctor, staying longer at a low dose, postponing an increase, temporarily decreasing to a previous dose or increasing more slowly. Do not increase the dose alone to “speed up” weight loss, and do not stop treatment without consultation, especially in diabetics or patients with underlying diseases.

In cases of significant nausea or vomiting, a doctor may consider temporary treatment with anti-nausea and vomiting medications, such as Pramine or Motilium. Caution is required here: Pramine may cause side effects in the nervous system, and Motilium may be problematic for some patients due to a possible effect on the heart rate and interactions with other drugs. That’s why they should not be considered an automatic solution, but a spot treatment under medical advice.

There are situations in which one should not be satisfied with nutritional tips: repeated vomiting that does not allow drinking, prolonged diarrhea, decreased urination, severe dizziness, unusual weakness, high fever, blood in the stool, severe abdominal pain or pain radiating to the back. Abnormal abdominal pain under these drugs also requires examination, among other things to rule out rare but important conditions such as pancreatitis, a gallbladder problem, intestinal obstruction or significant dehydration.

If the symptoms return again and again despite a change in eating, drinking enough and slowing down the dose increase, you can consider with the doctor a temporary break, a decrease in the dose, a switch to another preparation or a re-examination of the appropriateness of the treatment. Not every medicine is suitable for every person. There are those who will get along well with one preparation and suffer from another, and there are those whose digestive system will require more caution.

The weight loss injections are not magic that allows you to continue eating as before. They change the feeling of hunger and satiety, slow down the stomach and require a new listening to the body. Those who understand this early, reduce portions, eat slowly, drink properly and consult the doctor before any change in dosage, increase the chance of enjoying the great benefits of the treatment without paying a heavy price in the digestive system.