Ozempic and Wegovy have received a lot of publicity as revolutionizing treatment options for obesity. Both medications form a class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 and are involved in the regulation of appetite and blood sugar. Indeed, in initial clinical studies, the majority of those on the drugs lost 15% to 22% of body weight, hence much optimism. For most patients, these medications are underwhelming for about 20% of patients due to minimal weight loss or other challenges.

Take a closer look at why the weight loss drugs may not work for everyone, together with what options exist when they don't deliver the expected outcomes.

Why Weight Loss Drugs May Not Work

While GLP-1 receptor agonists have produced phenomenal responses in a majority of patients, it remains a reality that these drugs work differently for different people. Here's why:

1. Genetic and Hormonal Variability

Weight loss medications interact with complex systems in the body that differ from person to person. Genetics, hormones, and individual brain responses to energy regulation play significant roles in determining how a person responds to drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

2. Underlying Medical Conditions

Other conditions, such as sleep apnea, may be prevalent and prevent or delay the achievement of weight loss goals. Prescription drugs like antidepressants, steroids, or contraceptives are other medications that can nullify weight loss medication benefits.

3. Unrealistic Expectations

Often, they come to these medications with enormous hopes; expecting the promised rapid and dramatic weight loss. Progress creates disappointment if it has not stalled. In patients who rigidly follow recommended lifestyle modifications, frustration and disappointment are most common.

Why it is Important to Identify Non-responders

For most patients, the effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists is evident within a few weeks of treatment. Weight loss typically begins within a few weeks of initiating therapy and tends to increase with dosage. However, some patients respond very little, if at all, despite strict adherence to their regimen.

For nonresponders, this can feel like a dead end. However, understanding the unique complexities of obesity is essential. This condition stems from brain dysfunction, and the pathways that contribute to weight regulation differ among individuals.

Alternative Treatment Options

When Ozempic or Wegovy doesn’t yield desired results, there are still many paths to explore:

1. Switching to Another GLP-1 Drug

For example, some patients who don't respond well to one GLP-1 receptor agonist might find success with another drug in the same class. Newer medications, such as Zepbound, target other hormone pathways and seem promising even for those not responsive to earlier drugs.

2. Use of Older Medications

While there is much to say about newer drugs, older treatments can still be useful and work for some patients. One can also seek the help of a medical provider specializing in obesity treatments in order to identify the best alternatives.

3. Lifestyle Changes

Diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management continue to be integral components of any weight loss program. New changes may be small but can make an enormous difference in one's health and success.

4. Medical Management of Obesity

It is a complex disorder, and most patients should receive a multidisciplinary treatment. Collaboration with an obesity-aware doctor may mean access to tailored treatment plans, ranging from psychological support all the way to metabolic testing, and many others.

Why Side Effects of Weight Loss Drug Ozempic May Be a Barrier

For others, side effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea hinder them from continuing with these drugs. These symptoms often reduce as the body becomes accustomed, but for some, they might be severe enough to stop treatment altogether. In those instances, alternative drugs or procedures become vital to find.

Long-term effects of Ozempic or Wegovy on the Brain

Another largely unexplored area relates to GLP-1 drugs' long-term effects on the brain's regulation of hunger and satiety. Although GLP-1 drugs suppress appetite and can lead to effective weight loss, emerging research suggests that they may also affect brain reward mechanisms, changing the way patients experience foods.

This aspect could prove of paramount significance in the future treatment of obesity. Perhaps GLP-1 receptor agonists do indeed affect and rewire the brain's reward pathways and will thus provide sustained benefits beyond discontinuation. However, more research is required to understand this phenomenon fully.

While for many, Ozempic and Wegovy have revolutionized obesity treatment, these are certainly not a one size fits all. Nonresponders need not lose hope- alternative strategies and medications abound. A consultation with an obesity expert healthcare provider is essential to put together a comprehensive, tailored treatment plan.

The route toward effective weight loss may be challenging, but with the evolution of obesity medicine and a better understanding of individual needs, there is a path forward for everyone.

Rebecca Pinto, physiotherapist and nutritionist shared a video on her Instagram account where she cites a case of a man who used hair loss treatment and was admitted to hospital on complain of chest pain. She points out that not everything that is available over the counter is safe to use. She says the key ingredients in many easily available hair loss treatment is minoxidil, which could trigger chest pain or angina as it can lower blood pressure.

Health and Me spoke to Dr Sanjay Bhat, Sr Consultant, Interventional Cardiology at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru to fact check this claim and here is what we found out.

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Fact Check: Can Minoxidil Cause Severe Chest Pain?

Health and Me asked Dr Bhat if this easily available ingredient could actually cause someone’s life. To this, Dr Bhat explained that it is a commonly used medicine for treating hair loss and is easily available in many pharmacies as a topical solution or form. He said it works by improving blood flow to the hair follicles and helping hair grow. “When used on the scalp as recommended, it is generally safe for most people. However, long-term or excessive use may sometimes cause side effects. Some people may absorb a small amount of the medicine into the bloodstream, which can affect the heart and blood vessels,” he explains.

This could lead to symptoms such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the hands or feet, or low blood pressure. “In rare cases, people may go to the emergency room if they feel severe chest discomfort or palpitations. Long-term use without medical advice may also cause scalp irritation or unwanted hair growth on other parts of the body. Therefore, it is important to use minoxidil only as directed and consult a doctor if unusual symptoms appear,” he said.

What To Do If You Feel Chest Pain While Using Minoxidil?

Doctor explains, “If a person develops chest pain after using Minoxidil, the first step is to stop using the medicine and seek medical attention immediately. Doctors will first evaluate the patient to make sure the chest pain is not due to a serious heart problem. This usually includes checking blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and performing tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood tests.”

If minoxidil is suspected to be the cause, treatment mainly focuses on managing the symptoms. Doctors could also give medicines to control heart rate, reduce palpitations, or stabilize blood pressure. Depending on the reports, if the patient has fluid retention or swelling, diuretics may be prescribed to remove excess fluid from the body. Patients may also be monitored in the hospital for a short time if symptoms are severe. Once the symptoms settle, doctors usually advise avoiding minoxidil and may suggest safer alternative treatments for hair loss.

Are There Any Alternative Hair Loss Treatment Without Minoxidil?

The answer is yes. Dr Bhat points out Finasteride, an oral medicine to be one of the common alternatives to minoxidil for hair loss treatments. This medicine works by reducing the hormone DHT, which is linked to male pattern baldness. This also helps in slowing down the hair loss and promoting regrowth.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy: This is another alternative available points out Dr Bhat. This is when blood is processed and injected into the scalp to stimulate hair follicles and improve hair thickness.

He also pointed out that doctors often recommend Low Level Laser Therapy, which is a painless treatment using red light lasers to improve blood flow to hair follicles and encourage hair growth.

Lastly, Hair Transplant Surgery is another option for people facing significant hair loss, where follicles from one part of the scalp are moved to bald areas.

“In addition, treatments such as microneedling, nutritional supplements, and treatment of underlying medical conditions may also help improve hair growth,” points out Dr Bhat.

Leucovorin, a high-dose vitamin - folinic acid, were mostly used for treating toxic side effects of chemotherapy, until last year when the White House touted it as a potential treatment for some children with autism. New prescriptions for leucovorin double within weeks of announcement and parents have been trying hard to get it prescribed. This is also because many doctors have been hesitant to prescribe a chemotherapy medicine for childhood autism. They have also stated that not enough evidence is available to prescribe this drug officially.

CNN reported that in Austin, Texas, Meagan Johnson spent four days calling pharmacies across the region searching for leucovorin for her three-year-old son Jack, who has autism. She contacted nearly 40 pharmacies around her home in Pflugerville, hoping to locate the medication.

The effort came after a neurologist agreed to prescribe leucovorin on a trial basis. Johnson’s hope was simple: even a small improvement in her son’s communication would mean a lot. At age three, most children can say hundreds of words, but Jack speaks only about 20, many of which only his mother understands.

However, getting the prescription turned out to be far harder than obtaining it.

Across the United States, pharmacies have been reporting growing difficulty keeping leucovorin tablets in stock. Online support groups for parents of autistic children are now filled with posts from families searching for the medication or asking where it might still be available.

Although leucovorin is not approved specifically for autism, some small studies have suggested that it may help certain children who have unusually low levels of folate in the brain. Families who have tried it report possible improvements in language and social interaction.

A study published in The Lancet found that prescriptions for leucovorin doubled within weeks of the public remarks and remained elevated through early December. Researchers analysed electronic medical records covering nearly 300 million patients to identify the trend.

Experts say such spikes can quickly strain the supply of inexpensive generic drugs.

A Classic Demand-Driven Shortage

Pharmacy supply specialists describe the leucovorin situation as a demand-side shortage. Unlike manufacturing disruptions, these shortages happen when demand rises faster than manufacturers can increase production.

Generic drug manufacturers typically plan production schedules a year or more in advance. Because leucovorin had historically been a niche medication, companies were not prepared for a sudden surge in prescriptions.

As demand increased, pharmacies began running out of tablets. Many manufacturers have placed the drug on allocation or backorder, meaning pharmacies can only order limited quantities.

To ease the pressure, the US Food and Drug Administration allowed temporary imports of leucovorin tablets from Canada and Spain. However, the drug has not yet been officially listed on the FDA’s national drug shortage database, a designation that could trigger additional measures to boost supply.

Families Searching For A Treatment

For parents like Johnson, the debate over research evidence matters less than the possibility of progress.

After days of phone calls, a CVS pharmacist finally located a supply at another branch nearly an hour away. Johnson drove the distance to pick up the medication and gave Jack his first dose that same evening.

The moment brought relief, but also frustration.

Drug shortage advocates say the situation was predictable. Because leucovorin is inexpensive and historically prone to shortages, any sudden increase in demand could easily disrupt supply.

Still, families continue to search for it.

Childhood obesity has been rising steadily across the world, including in India. According to the World Health Organization, the number of children aged 5 to 19 who are overweight or obese has increased more than tenfold over the past four decades.

In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research reports that about 14 percent of children aged 6 to 19 are overweight or obese, with higher rates in urban areas.

Many efforts to prevent obesity focus on healthy eating and physical activity. While these remain essential, research increasingly shows that the stress levels of parents can play a big role in shaping children’s health outcomes.

Stress, simply put, is when the body feels under pressure. Mentally, emotionally, or physically. Parents under stress may have less patience, lower energy, and less ability to maintain healthy routines for their family.

How Parental Stress Leads Childhood Obesity

Additionally, a Obesity Reviews 2017 study also found that parents who suffer from high stress levels are more likely to have irregular eating patterns, snack on unhealthy foods, and engage in less physical activity, which contributes to stressful home environments.

This often leads to a pattern of “comfort eating” and fewer structured meal routines in the house, habits that can be easily picked up and adopted by children. This can pave the way for multiple chronic conditions to develop early on in young children.

Socioeconomic pressures can also worsen the risk of obesity in youngsters. Families experiencing financial stress, job insecurity or long working hours may rely more on convenient fast foods or skip family meals altogether.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diet and lifestyle patterns learned in early childhood often persist into adolescence and adulthood, which makes early interventions critical.

How Parenting Styles And Household Atmosphere Matter

A 2020 study in Pediatric Obesity showed that children whose parents reported higher stress levels were more likely to gain excess weight over two years compared with children whose parents reported lower stress.

The home environment can shape a child’s relationship with food. If meals are rushed, distracted, or emotionally tense, children may associate eating with stress rather than nourishment. On the other hand, family routines that include relaxed meals, shared cooking, and parental involvement in active play are linked to healthier weights and better mental health outcomes.

Steps Parents Can Take To Monitor Obesity

• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Simple breathing exercises, meditation, or even quiet reading time can lower stress levels. Psychologist Susan Albers notes that mindful parenting improves parent-child interactions and can reduce unhealthy eating patterns.
• Structured routines: Regular meal times, scheduled physical activity, and predictable sleep patterns create stability for children.
• Self-care: Parents who prioritize sleep, exercise, and mental breaks are better able to support their children’s health.
• Healthy family meals: Cooking together, reducing ultra-processed foods, and encouraging fruits and vegetables fosters both nutrition and bonding.

It’s important to note that stress management alone is not enough. Combining emotional support for parents with healthy eating and activity habits is the most effective approach. The American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that integrated strategies addressing diet, activity and family wellbeing can reduce childhood obesity risk more effectively than focusing on nutrition or exercise alone.

Why This Matters For The Future

The impact of a calm, supportive home can be profound. When parents manage stress, children not only eat better and move more, but they also develop emotional resilience and lifelong healthy habits. As Dr. Epel explains, “A child’s wellbeing often mirrors the adult they live with: less stress in parents can mean a healthier start for children.”