Patient Shares 12-Week Journey on Weight Loss Medications: Side Effects and Surprising Efficacy Factors

A recent personal account has shed light on the varied experiences individuals face when using weight loss medications. In a 12-week case study, one patient detailed her journey with several popular drugs, including Zepbound, Mounjaro, and Ozempic, alongside compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. The patient reported distinct side effects across different medications. With Zepbound, she experienced hair shedding. Mounjaro led to significant constipation and "sulfur burps." Ozempic caused nausea and hip pain, which she attributed to "food noise" leading to overeating. A key observation from her study was the impact of the medication's "beyond use date" (BUD) on its effectiveness. She noted that compounded medications with longer BUDs appeared to be more potent and lasted longer, while those with shorter BUDs were less effective and led to increased hunger sooner. She also found that side effects, once experienced with a particular medication, consistently reappeared upon re-administration. Her personal takeaway suggests that individuals experiencing a plateau in weight loss might consider exploring different compounded pharmacies.