“Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should , and if we do, let’s do it well.”
The rise of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and liraglutide marks a powerful new era in metabolic and preventive medicine. These medications offer much more than weight loss:
✅ Improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes
✅ Reduction in cardiovascular risk (MI, stroke)
✅ Reversal of fatty liver (NAFLD/NASH)
✅ Improved insulin resistance, especially in PCOS
✅ Neuroprotective potential in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
✅ Reduction in compulsive behaviours (binge eating, alcohol, smoking)
✅ Reduced systemic inflammation and improved quality of life
But as with any powerful tool, their misuse carries risks.
We are now witnessing:
⚠️ Rapid, unsupervised weight loss
⚠️ Excessive fat and muscle depletion
⚠️ “Ozempic face” and a surge in laxity and gauntness
⚠️ A worrying shift in body image standards, fuelled by influencers and unregulated access
GLP-1s are not lifestyle replacements or aesthetic shortcuts.
They are medical therapies that should be prescribed with care, context, and clinical oversight — ideally as part of a comprehensive plan that includes nutrition, movement, and mental health support.
At AAMSSA, we advocate for:
🧠 Responsible prescribing
🩺 Evidence-based use
👩⚕️ Individualised dosing (including microdosing where appropriate)
📉 Gradual weight loss with ongoing monitoring
💡 Patient education on risks, benefits, and stopping points
GLP-1s hold enormous potential but it’s up to us, as medical professionals, to guide their use ethically, safely, and with long-term health in mind.