GLP-1 users warned about dehydration risk during severe heat
Dr. Tiffany Lowe Clayton, a bariatric physician and obesity specialist at WakeMed, said GLP-1 medications work on receptors in both the brain and the digestive system, which can affect a person's perception of thirst.
"When we are talking about the GLP-1 receptor agonist, the receptors that the medication works on is in the brain as much as it is in the gut. And so often what we may find is that patients may not feel as thirsty," Lowe Clayton said.
"They won't necessarily always get that thirst cue. So set a timer, set a clock, and be able to know that you need to drink throughout the course of a day," she said.
She also noted that some GLP-1 medications can cause gastrointestinal side effects, including vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, which can contribute to fluid loss.
To help prevent dehydration, Lowe Clayton recommends drinking plenty of water, avoiding sugary drinks, and adding electrolytes when appropriate.
