If you haven’t heard about the latest weight loss drugs, some people might say you’ve been living under a rock for the past several months.

The use of Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other similar drugs have exploded and the demand for them is increasing every day.

But are they safe? Are they the best choice?

According to Dr. Christopher Jones, yes and no. The drugs are very powerful, so if you are just wanting to lose those last 10 pounds to fit into your bikini, you should probably try something else. However, if you are severely obese, have diabetes, or are at risk for diabetes and other deadly diseases, the drugs have been shown to be effective for some people.

“These medications are indicated for both diabetes and weight loss,” said Jones, medical director for diabetes care at Intermountain Health. “They are powerful medicines and they do work if you use them appropriately. If you’re trying to lower your blood sugar, they work and they do help people lose weight.”

But the medications have side effects — and some of them are pretty horrible, Jones said.

“Most of the side effects are related to the GI (gastrointestinal) tract,” he said. “They can slow the gut down, and in some cases they can paralyze or freeze the gut, and this is truly concerning.”

Some of the other side effects can include inflammation of the pancreas, blocked intestines (ileus), increased heart rate, and mental problems such as anxiety and suicidal thoughts. An increased risk of thyroid cancer has also been noted as a potential side effect.

“We’re also concerned with the finances of these drugs,” Jones said. “They’re very expensive and they’re starting to drive up medical insurance costs as well, so it’s really important to understand who would benefit the most from these medications.”

Because they are in such high demand, there has been a shortage, and many people are turning to compounded forms of the drugs. Jones said that’s never a good idea.

“Compounded forms do not have a clear history about where they come from and there’s a lot of manipulation after it comes to the pharmacy and is used by the patient,” he said. “All of those uncontrolled, uncertain things really put people at significant increased risk for complications, so we advise people not to use those because of the risk that is present.”

The drugs, also known as semaglutide, belong to a class called GLP-1 agonists. The mechanism of the drugs slows the passage of food through the abdominal system. They also help to lower blood sugar in people with diabetes.

“Diabetes is increasing across the country and these drugs are helping us keep people alive longer, and that’s a positive thing,” Jones said. “These medications have given hope to a lot of people in life-changing ways, so I don’t want to say they’re all bad. They have been a miracle for many people. We just need to make sure they’re getting to the right people for the right reasons. These medicines have also been shown to reduce heart attack and stroke in people with diabetes.”

Jones said it’s important to speak with your physician if you are considering taking one of the medications, and if you start, be sure your doctor follows your progress carefully, so if any side effects happen, you can be treated right away.