GLP-1 & GIP Medications

Over the past few years, medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have become widely discussed for diabetes, weight management, insulin resistance, PCOS-related metabolic concerns, and cardiometabolic health.

But with all the online noise, many women are left wondering:

Are these medications safe? Are they right for me? Will I regain the weight if I stop? Are they just “weight-loss injections”?

At Mara Women’s Health, we believe women deserve clear, evidence-informed education — not shame, pressure, or one-size-fits-all advice.

Here’s what you need to know.

What are GLP-1 and GIP medications?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is a hormone your body naturally makes after eating. It helps regulate:

• Appetite

• Fullness

• Blood sugar

• Insulin response

• Digestion speed

• Food cravings for some people

GLP-1 medications work by mimicking this natural hormone, helping many patients feel fuller sooner, experience fewer cravings, and improve blood sugar regulation.

GIP stands for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. It is another hormone involved in blood sugar and metabolism. Some newer medications, such as tirzepatide, act on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which is why they are sometimes called dual GIP/GLP-1 medications. Diabetes Canada describes tirzepatide as a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist used in diabetes care. (Diabetes Canada Guidelines)

Common medications you may hear about

In Canada, medications used for diabetes and/or chronic weight management include options such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, depending on the indication, patient history, and availability.

The 2025 Canadian obesity pharmacotherapy update lists several medications indicated for long-term obesity management in Canada, including liraglutide, naltrexone/bupropion, orlistat, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and setmelanotide, as adjuncts to health behaviour changes. (Obesity Canada)

Some brand names patients may recognize include:

• Ozempic — semaglutide, commonly used for type 2 diabetes

• Wegovy — semaglutide, used for chronic weight management

• Mounjaro — tirzepatide, used for type 2 diabetes

• Zepbound — tirzepatide, used for chronic weight management

• Saxenda — liraglutide, used for chronic weight management

Health Canada authorized Zepbound for obesity treatment in Canada in May 2025, making tirzepatide an approved dual GIP/GLP-1 option for chronic weight management. (Newswire)

These medications are not just about weight…

One of the biggest misconceptions is that GLP-1 and GIP medications are simply “weight-loss drugs.”

For the right patient, they may support broader metabolic health, including:

• Improved blood sugar control

• Reduced appetite and food noise

• Support with insulin resistance

• Improvement in weight-related health risks

• Possible improvement in blood pressure, cholesterol, fatty liver risk, and inflammation markers in some patients

• Support for people living with obesity as a chronic medical condition

Obesity Canada’s 2025 guideline update emphasizes that obesity pharmacotherapy can be part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan, alongside behavioural, psychological, and sometimes surgical approaches. (CMAJ)

At Mara Women’s Health, we do not view weight as a character issue. We view metabolic health through a medical, hormonal, nutritional, emotional, and lifestyle lens.

Who may benefit from GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medications?

These medications may be considered for adults who meet medical criteria and would benefit from metabolic support.

They may be appropriate for patients with:

• Type 2 diabetes

• Obesity

• Overweight with weight-related health concerns

• Insulin resistance

• PCOS with metabolic concerns

• Prediabetes or rising blood sugar risk, depending on the full clinical picture

• Weight-related joint pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, or cholesterol concerns

• Significant appetite dysregulation or “food noise” that has not responded to lifestyle strategies aloneThey may also be helpful for some women in perimenopause or menopause, when changes in estrogen, sleep, stress, muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, and body composition can make weight management feel much harder.

This does not mean every woman in midlife needs medication. It means women deserve a full assessment instead of being told to simply “eat less and move more.”

Who is not a good candidate?

GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications are not right for everyone.

They may not be appropriate for people who:

• Are pregnant

• Are trying to conceive

• Are breastfeeding

• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer

• Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, also called MEN2

• Have a history of serious allergic reaction to the medication

• Have certain severe gastrointestinal conditions, depending on the situation

• Have active gallbladder disease or a history of pancreatitis that requires careful clinical review

• Have an active eating disorder or high risk of disordered eating behaviours

• Are looking for quick weight loss without medical monitoring

• Are not able to maintain adequate nutrition, hydration, or follow-up care

A 2024 CMAJ article notes that GLP-1 receptor agonists are used for diabetes, obesity, and PCOS, but they should be stopped before pregnancy because of limited human pregnancy safety data. (CMAJ)

What are the common side effects?

The most common side effects are digestive. These may include:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Reflux or Heartburn

• Bloating

• Vomiting

• Reduced Appetite

• Feeling full quickly

Diabetes Canada notes that gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting can often be reduced by food choices, smaller meals, stopping when no longer hungry, avoiding fatty or spicy foods, and staying hydrated. (Diabetes Canada Guidelines)

Most side effects are mild to moderate, especially when the dose is increased slowly. However, patients should always seek care urgently for severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or symptoms of low blood sugar if they are also taking insulin or sulfonylureas.

Important risks to discuss with your clinician

Before starting, your provider should review your full health history, including:

• Pregnancy plans

• Diabetes history

• Kidney function

• Gallbladder history

• Pancreatitis history

• Thyroid cancer history

• Eating disorder history

• Current medications

• Alcohol intake

• Gastrointestinal symptoms

• Mental health and emotional eating patterns

• Nutrition intake and protein adequacy

• Muscle mass, strength, and activity level

Health Canada has reviewed GLP-1 receptor agonists as prescription drugs authorized in Canada for type 2 diabetes and/or chronic weight management, and continues to monitor safety signals and drug supply issues. (Drug and Health Products Portal)

Will the weight come back if I stop?

For many people, some weight regain can happen after stopping. This is because obesity and metabolic dysfunction are often chronic conditions, not short-term willpower problems.

These medications help regulate appetite and metabolic signals while you are taking them. When stopped, hunger hormones and appetite signals may increase again.

That is why treatment should include more than a prescription. A strong plan should also include:

• Protein and fibre goals

• Resistance training

• Sleep support

• Stress and nervous system regulation

• Review of menopause or perimenopause symptoms

• Support for emotional eating or binge eating patterns

• Long-term maintenance planning

• Regular follow-up

At Mara Women’s Health, we are especially interested in helping women protect muscle, bone, energy, and confidence while working on metabolic health.

Why nutrition support matters

One concern with rapid or significant weight loss is loss of lean muscle mass. This matters even more in perimenopause and menopause, when women are already at higher risk of changes in muscle, bone density, insulin sensitivity, and body composition.

That is why working with a women’s health-focused dietitian can be very helpful.

A dietitian can support you with:

• Eating enough protein

• Managing constipation or nausea

• Planning meals when appetite is low

• Preventing under-eating

• Supporting blood sugar balance

• Building sustainable habits

• Protecting muscle and metabolism

• Navigating emotional eating without shameThe goal is not simply to lose weight. The goal is to improve health in a way your body can sustain.

What about menopause, hormones, and weight?

For many women, weight gain in midlife is not just about food. Perimenopause and menopause can affect:

• Sleep

• Cravings

• Mood

• Insulin sensitivity

• Belly fat distribution

• Muscle mass

• Energy

• Motivation

• Joint pain

• Alcohol tolerance

• Stress response

Sometimes GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medications may be part of the plan. Sometimes hormone therapy, sleep treatment, nutrition, strength training, or mental health support are also important.

The best care looks at the whole woman — not just the scale.

Questions to ask before starting

Before starting a GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medication, consider asking your provider:

1. Am I an appropriate candidate?

2. What medication options are approved and available for my situation?

3. What side effects should I expect?

4. What symptoms should make me stop and seek medical care?

5. How will we monitor my progress?

6. What should I eat if my appetite is low?

7. How do I protect muscle while losing weight?

8. What happens if I stop the medication?

9. Is this safe with my other medications?

10. How does this fit with my hormones, sleep, mood, and long-term health?

A Mara Women’s Health approach

At Mara Women’s Health, we believe metabolic health care should be thoughtful, individualized, and free of shame.

GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools for the right patient — but they are not magic, and they are not for everyone.

The best results happen when medication is combined with:

• Medical assessment

• Nutrition support

• Strength and movement planning

• Hormone and menopause care when appropriate

• Sleep support

• Mental health awareness

• Realistic long-term follow-up

You deserve care that sees the full picture.

Curious whether GLP-1 or GIP/GLP-1 medications are right for you?

Book a Consultation with Mara Women’s Health to review your health history, symptoms, metabolic risk factors, goals, and treatment options.

Your body is not failing you. It may just need a more complete plan.