Taking a GLP-1 Like Ozempic? These Health Risks Are Higher in the Heat
Why this matters: health reporting relevant to everyday decisions and well-being.
Using GLP-1s may increase your risk of heat-related illnesses. Image Credit: Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images GLP-1 medications may increase heat-related risks by suppressing thirst and reducing fluid intake. Thirst reduction may lead to severe dehydration and even kidney damage. GLP-1 drugs may also lower blood pressure in some people, potentially leading to other heat-related issues in people with low blood pressure. People using GLP-1s also need to properly store their medications, as heat can damage them. Heat waves during the summer months are increasingly common. What does this mean for people using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro? GLP-1 medications may increase the risk of dehydration, particularly in hotter weather. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that severe dehydration from GLP-1 drugs may raise the risk of kidney injury and damage. Proper storage of these drugs is also important, as heat can damage the medication and render it ineffective. Clare Thompson, general practitioner and lead of the weight management services at Cadogan Clinic in the United Kingdom, advised extra precautions during hot weather for those taking GLP-1 drugs. Healthline spoke with Thompson about how taking GLP-1s may lead to dehydration and other heat-related illnesses, and how to properly store the medication during hot weather. This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Why do GLP-1s raise the risk of heat-related illness? Thompson: GLP-1 medications suppress your natural thirst cues, which means you naturally drink less fluid. They can also delay stomach emptying and cause nausea, which may result in drinking less fluid GLP-1 medications seem to lower blood pressure in some patients, which can also make patients susceptible to dizzy spells and fainting. This is further compounded by the heat, which can cause you to sweat more and lose further fluids. This slight lowering of blood pressure can sometimes be beneficial in people with