GLP-1 medications have become one of the most talked-about developments in health care. Originally developed to help manage type 2 diabetes, these therapies—like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—are now widely used for weight management and metabolic health. For some people, they can be life-changing. But like any powerful treatment, they’re not one-size-fits-all—and they come with tradeoffs that employers, health plans, and members need to understand.
Let’s start with the basics.
What are GLP-1s?
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar. GLP-1 receptor agonists are medications that mimic this hormone to:
- Slow digestion and gastric emptying.
- Increase insulin secretion.
- Reduce appetite.
By doing so, they can help people lose weight, improve blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of certain cardiovascular events.
Why are GLP-1s so popular now?
Clinical trials have shown that GLP-1s can lead to meaningful weight loss—up to 15-20% of body weight in some cases. In a country where nearly 2 in 5 adults have obesity and related chronic conditions, the demand for effective treatments has never been higher.
Health plans and employers are responding: most now offer some form of coverage or access to GLP-1s, either directly or through a weight management program.
GLP-1s come with a catch: GI side effects
As promising as these medications are, they’re not without complications. One of the most common—and most disruptive—issues are gastrointestinal (GI) side effects.
Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are all common, especially when someone first starts on a GLP-1 or increases their dose. For many people, these symptoms are manageable. But for others, they can be severe enough to stop treatment altogether.
In a national Harris Poll survey Cylinder conducted, 86% of GLP-1 users experience GI side effects, and as many as two-thirds discontinue therapy due to discomfort or complications.
GLP-1s take a toll on productivity, too
The impact of GLP-1s extends beyond the pharmacy. When side effects go unmanaged, they don’t just lead to treatment drop-off or unnecessary ED visits—they also affect how people feel at work. Headaches, dizziness, and digestive issues aren’t just uncomfortable, they can lead to absenteeism and lost productivity.
For employers, every day lost to unmanaged side effects translates into real productivity costs—and for high-value talent, even small disruptions can have outsized impact.
In Cylinder’s survey, it showed that GLP-1 side effects are directly tied to workplace performance issues, especially among younger employees. If your workforce includes people using these medications, it’s worth understanding the broader implications. For a deeper dive into how this plays out in real-world settings—and the opportunity to mitigate it—read our companion piece: GLP-1’s popularity comes with hidden costs—and opportunities—for employers.
From a health plan perspective, these challenges ripple beyond the workplace. Side effects often trigger unnecessary ED visits, urgent care use, or additional consults that drive up medical costs. And when members discontinue treatment early due to unmanaged side effects, the long-term effectiveness of GLP-1 therapy drops—undermining the value of the investment and leaving plans with higher costs and weaker outcomes.
What’s missing from the GLP-1 conversation
What’s often overlooked is that many people starting GLP-1s already have pre-existing digestive health issues. When those underlying symptoms are ignored or left untreated, starting a new medication that affects the gut can make things worse—not better.
Coordinated, personalized GI support is critical—helping each member find the right level of care at the right time, so they can stay on therapy safely and avoid unnecessary costs.
That’s why more health plans and employers are beginning to ask: how do we support members not just in getting access to GLP-1s, but in staying on them safely and comfortably?
From GLP-1s to GI care: A new era of metabolic care
GLP-1s are an exciting advancement in obesity and metabolic treatment, but they’re not the whole solution. Sustainable outcomes depend on wraparound support—especially when it comes to digestive health.
Employers who connect GLP-1 access with digestive health support not only reduce avoidable medical costs—they also give employees the confidence and stability to thrive at work.
In part two of our article, we share how employers and health plans can strengthen GLP-1 programs with integrated GI care—closing a costly, often overlooked gap.
Interested in learning more?
Join us for our upcoming webinar, Optimizing GLP-1 outcomes with the right digestive health strategy, where clinical and industry experts will share the latest data, real-world insights, and practical steps for integrating GI care into your GLP-1 approach.
