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Living with Obesity

Stories from people navigating Obesity — diagnosis, treatment, caregiving, and the ordinary days in between.

26 stories

A clinician reviews a GLP-1 medication package beside a safety reporting form and patient chart.

Endocrinology & Metabolism

WHO Calls for Stronger Safety Monitoring as GLP-1 Use Expands

WHO is calling for stronger safety monitoring as GLP-1 use for weight loss grows worldwide. Clinicians need reliable prescribing, follow-up and adverse-event reporting systems.

Dr. Abu Bakar · September 20, 2026 · 7 min

An OTC orlistat package beside a medication list and kidney-shaped clinical model on a pharmacy counter.

Endocrinology & Metabolism

Orlistat Kidney-Injury Warning Now Covers OTC Alli

The FDA has approved revised labeling for OTC orlistat (alli) warning of rare acute kidney injury, bringing kidney-risk messaging into line across US orlistat products.

Rayan Salih · 6 min read

A positive airway pressure mask beside an injectable medication pen on a bedside table.

Endocrinology & Metabolism

FDA Approves Tirzepatide for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Tirzepatide reduced apnea severity and body weight in adults with obesity and moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea, supporting FDA approval with or without ongoing positive airway pressure therapy.

Egbavwe Pela · 7 min read

Questions clinicians ask

What outcomes beyond weight loss are being studied with GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with obesity?
The briefs describe potential cardiovascular benefits and associations with fewer alcohol-related hospitalizations, lower breast cancer risk, and less worsening of mental health. Neurologic applications are also under investigation, but these broader uses vary in evidentiary maturity and should not be considered established class-wide effects.
What happens to body weight after patients stop GLP-1 medications for obesity?
Real-world evidence summarized in the briefs shows weight regain after GLP-1 discontinuation, although the observed regain was modest. This finding reinforces obesity as a chronic condition and highlights the importance of considering treatment durability when evaluating outcomes.
Does menopausal hormone therapy affect weight loss with tirzepatide in postmenopausal women?
The covered evidence suggests that menopausal hormone therapy may be associated with greater weight loss during tirzepatide treatment. Applicability is limited to postmenopausal women, and the finding does not establish that hormone therapy should be initiated specifically to enhance weight loss.
How should clinicians individualize incretin-based obesity pharmacotherapy?
The briefs emphasize matching therapy to comorbidities, treatment goals, tolerability, access, and coverage rather than using a single preferred approach for all patients. Gastrointestinal adverse effects, cardiovascular considerations, concurrent diabetes or obstructive sleep apnea, and the likelihood of sustained access can materially affect treatment selection and persistence.

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