GLP-1 receptor agonists used in weight management are not suitable for everyone.
This article is not a suitability test. Even if none of the situations below applies to you, that does not mean the medicine is suitable for you. The decision on suitability is made by the physician only at the end of an examination and laboratory assessment.
Situations in which they are not used
Pregnancy. In its guideline of 1 December 2025, the World Health Organization (opens in a new tab) states that these treatments may be used in adults with the exception of pregnant women. If you are planning a pregnancy, or if there is a possibility that you may be pregnant, please mention this at the beginning of the consultation.
Breastfeeding. Suitability during this period is assessed separately.
Under 18 years of age. The World Health Organization guideline was drawn up for adults.
Those with a history of allergy to the product to be used or to its components.
Those with a personal or family history of certain thyroid and endocrine tumours. This group is noted separately in the usage information for certain products; please mention your history during the consultation.
Those with a history of inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). These medicines are assessed together with the opinion of the relevant specialist.
Situations that must be assessed first
The situations below do not on their own mean “cannot be used”; they must be assessed first.
Digestive system
- In patients in whom gastric emptying is known to be slow
- In patients with ongoing nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing
- In patients with a history of gallbladder disease and gallstones
- In patients with a diagnosis of bowel disease
Metabolism and hormones
- In patients taking medicines that lower blood sugar, in particular insulin or medicines that increase insulin secretion (a dose adjustment may be needed, otherwise low blood sugar may occur)
- In patients with thyroid dysfunction
- In patients whose blood sugar control cannot be achieved
Eyes
- In patients with advanced diabetes-related eye involvement (a rapid improvement in blood sugar may affect the eye condition, so an ophthalmology assessment is required)
Kidney and liver
- In patients with advanced kidney failure (fluid loss may affect kidney function)
- In patients with advanced liver failure
Nutrition and general condition
- In patients with a diagnosis of an eating disorder, or with complaints of this kind (the relevant specialty takes priority)
- In patients whose nutrition is inadequate or who have unintentional weight loss (unintentional weight loss is a finding that must be investigated in its own right)
- In patients of advanced age with low muscle mass
Other
- In patients for whom a surgical procedure is planned in the near future (because of the fasting period before anaesthesia and the stomach contents, the anaesthetist must be told about the medicine)
- In patients in a period of active infection or febrile illness (planning may be postponed)
- In patients with a possible interaction with other medicines being taken
What needs to be stated during the consultation
To allow the suitability assessment to be made correctly, please bring or mention the following:
- The boxes of all the medicines you take, or a list of them with doses
- A list of the vitamin, mineral and herbal products you take; you can read more in Telling Your Physician About Supplement Use
- Your test results from the past year
- Previous operations, in particular stomach, gallbladder and bowel operations
- Any family history of thyroid and endocrine disease
- Your known allergies
- Your pregnancy and breastfeeding status
- If you have used this class of medicines before, when and for how long you used them, and why you stopped
You can read the general framework for preparing for a consultation in How Should You Prepare for a Consultation?.
What is followed up during use?
Once a decision on suitability has been made, the process is not left to itself; it is followed up. Follow-up covers:
- Weight, waist circumference and blood pressure measurements
- Blood sugar, blood lipids, and kidney and liver function
- Any side effects that occur and their severity
- Nutritional adequacy and muscle mass
- Review of the doses of other medicines being taken
When should you see a physician without delay?
If you experience these symptoms during treatment, contact your physician without delay:
- Persistent vomiting with signs of fluid loss such as dry mouth, reduced urine output or dizziness
- Signs of low blood sugar such as sweating, trembling, palpitations or sudden hunger
- Pain in the upper right abdomen, or yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Swelling in the neck or hoarseness
- A change in vision
- Difficulty swallowing or a feeling of something stuck in the throat
- A widespread rash, itching
In the event of severe, persistent abdominal pain, particularly pain that radiates to the back, shortness of breath, swelling of the face or tongue, altered consciousness or fainting, go directly to the emergency department.
Frequently asked questions
If I am not on this list, does that mean the medicine is suitable for me?
No. This article is not a suitability test. Even if none of the situations in the list applies to you, the decision on suitability is made by the physician only at the end of an examination and laboratory assessment.
Are these medicines used during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
The World Health Organization guideline (opens in a new tab) states that these treatments may be used in adults with the exception of pregnant women. During breastfeeding, suitability is assessed separately. If you are planning a pregnancy, please mention this at the beginning of the consultation.
I take diabetes medication; can they be used together?
In those taking medicines that lower blood sugar (in particular insulin, or medicines that increase insulin secretion), a dose adjustment may be needed; otherwise low blood sugar may occur. This assessment is made by the physician; do not change your medicines on your own initiative.
I have gallstones; can these medicines be used?
A history of gallbladder disease and gallstones is among the items that must be assessed first. Please mention your history during the consultation.
I am going to have an operation; do I need to mention this medicine?
Yes. The anaesthetist must be told, because this matters for the fasting period before anaesthesia and for the stomach contents. If a surgical procedure is planned, please tell both your surgeon and your anaesthetist.
There is thyroid disease in my family; is that an obstacle?
Those with a personal or family history of certain thyroid and endocrine tumours are noted separately in the usage information for certain products. Please mention your family history during the consultation; the physician makes the assessment.
I have unintentional weight loss; can I still use them?
Unintentional weight loss is a finding that must be investigated in its own right. In those whose nutrition is inadequate and those with unintentional weight loss, this must be assessed first.
Sources
- World Health Organization, WHO issues global guideline on the use of GLP-1 medicines in treating obesity, 1 December 2025. https://www.who.int/news/item/01-12-2025-who-issues-global-guideline-on-the-use-of-glp-1-medicines-in-treating-obesity (opens in a new tab)
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye, Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency, Kaçak/Sahte Ürünler. https://www.titck.gov.tr/faaliyetalanlari/denetim/kacak-sahte-urunler (opens in a new tab)
