Telehealth is Making GLP-1s More Accessible – But Access Alone isn’t Enough

GLP-1 medications are no longer reserved for the most serious cases of obesity or diabetes, nor are they limited to celebrities and high-net-worth patients.

Thanks to the growing telehealth market and a push by pharmaceutical companies, treatments such as Wegovy and Ozempic have become increasingly mainstream and much more accessible. As of late last year, more than 400,000 patients had already used the telehealth platform to access GLP-1 treatment.

No longer requiring specialist referrals or in-person consultations, these deals benefit patients who prioritize speed, convenience, and discretion. They also open the door to people in rural and underserved areas – those who have traditionally struggled to access consistent, high-quality treatment. 

It is, undoubtedly, a major step forward. However, providing access to GLP-1s only solves part of the problem. In fact, without a broader approach, it may lead to new challenges alongside the ones it aims to address.

Access alone doesn’t ensure success

On average, GLP-1 medications result in a 15% to 25% reduction in body weight among patients living with obesity. They’re associated with lower rates of heart attack, stroke, liver disease, and kidney disease. Likewise, evidence points towards a reduced risk of suicidal ideation, self-harm, bulimia, and psychotic disorders. It can be a life-changing – and in many cases life-saving – treatment.

However, the outcome isn’t always successful. In fact, studies show that nearly half of all patients discontinue GLP-1 treatment within the first year, despite research linking stopping weight-loss drugs to rapid weight regain.

The cause isn’t a lack of positive weight loss, but the all too common gastrointestinal side effects. Alarmingly, 52% of those who take GLP-1 medications report nausea, while 34% experience diarrhea, and 20% vomiting. These side effects are often worse when dosages are increased, making those just starting on the treatment particularly vulnerable, and causing many to quit before they see noticeable results.

Appetite loss can backfire on health

These medications work by mimicking the natural GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate appetite by slowing digestion, increasing fullness, and reducing hunger. Essentially, they take charge of your appetite, telling your brain you’re full, and curbing the desire to eat.

It’s an effective weight loss treatment. However, appetite suppression can lead to unintentional under-eating. This can result in insufficient protein intake, putting patients at risk of losing lean muscle mass rather than fat. The outcome mirrors those commonly seen with extreme fad diets: while early results can be fast and dramatic, the loss of muscle and decrease in metabolism make sustaining weight loss far more difficult.

However, the risks of under-eating go beyond muscle loss. Inadequate intake of essential nutrients can rapidly affect physical and mental well-being and compromise immune function — far from the picture of optimal health.

Treating the side effects of GLP-1

But there’s good news for patients. There’s already a highly effective way to manage the side effects of GLP-1: appropriate nutrition and lifestyle strategies.

Eating smaller, more frequent meals can tame nausea, while high protein preserves lean muscle, and fiber keeps digestion moving. Hydration is vital, but alcohol can make symptoms worse. Plus, it isn’t just what you eat that’s important, but when you eat it. Large meals after long periods of fasting often trigger nausea or vomiting. Likewise, fatty or high-fiber foods in the first few days of treatment often cause reactions.

Many of the issues GLP-1s help manage stem from gaps in nutritional knowledge and inadequate dietary choices. While some patients experience fewer cravings for high-fat, sugary, or processed foods, some don’t. The medication primarily targets appetite, and doesn’t necessarily improve food choices. While patients typically eat less, they can continue to eat foods that are low in protein, high in fat, or unbalanced overall.

With appropriate support, more patients would experience fewer side effects and achieve lasting results. The problem is that current telehealth models focus primarily on prescribing. This is a cause for concern among primary care physicians, with 61% reporting that they’re often not informed when patients receive GLP-1 prescriptions from a third-party provider, causing 50% to worry about continuity of care. 

A wraparound approach for GLP-1 treatment

It’s an ineffective approach for medications with common side effects and high discontinuation rates. For optimal outcomes, GLP-1 use should be part of a wraparound approach inspired by traditional weight management, which combines medication, nutritional advice, lifestyle coaching, and regular monitoring.

Trials have shown that combining GLP-1s with regular counselling and support leads to greater weight reduction than medication alone, while avoiding weight regain after stopping their use.

GLP-1s are undeniably a breakthrough, helping millions live healthier lives, but clearly, access to the medication isn’t enough. Patients equally require access to support and education. Without that, we’re not equipping patients to manage treatment safely and effectively.  And while they may achieve weight loss, in many cases, it is neither healthy nor sustainable.

Photo: metamorworks, Getty Images

This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.