Cyprus News Agency

In recent years, GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP-based “weight loss injections” used worldwide in the treatment of obesity may not show the same miraculous effect in every patient.

Based on clinical studies and his own observations, Dr. Burak Uzel stated that the proportion of patients who do not respond to weight loss injections varies between 10 and 20 percent. Uzel said, “In one out of every 5 to 10 patients, we may not see the expected weight loss response. This situation is often not related to the patient’s willpower, but is directly associated with biological factors, dosage adjustments, and the body’s response to the medication.”

Emphasizing that there is a clear criterion to medically define a lack of response to treatment, Dr. Uzel shared the following definition: “If at least 5 percent of body weight loss is not achieved despite using the medication at an appropriate dose for 3 months, that person can be considered in the ‘poor responder’ group.”

Dr. Uzel also pointed out that patients with type 2 diabetes generally lose weight more slowly compared to individuals without diabetes. He emphasized that this is not a “drug failure” but an expected biological difference, and that patients should manage the process under medical supervision without losing morale.

Referring to the side effects of the medications, Dr. Uzel said, “Some of our patients may not be able to continue the treatment due to side effects such as nausea and vomiting, or may not receive any biological response at all. However, these medications are neither the first nor the last option. If one treatment method does not work, your physician will guide you toward a more suitable alternative,” warning patients not to stop medication or change the dosage without consulting a specialist.

In conclusion, Dr. Burak Uzel reminded that with the possibilities of health technologies and modern medicine, it is possible for every individual to access the treatment most suitable for their own biology.