These drugs mimic a natural hormones the body produces naturally when we eat. The natural form are GLP1's. Orginall used for diabetes they have been being used for around 20 years so not new. The help control blood sugars and the weight loss was seen in diabetics using it for this. Some weight loss Drs in the US have used it for obesity treatments off label for well over 10 years.
Some experts believe for alot of people who are obese their natural endocrime systems controlled via these GLP1s and other hormones are actually working against them pushing their minds and bodies to overeat and store fat. Many naturally thin people this is not an issue. Ironically it makes sense from an evolution POV for thousands of years people who could eat and eat and store fat in times of plenty would be the ones who survived lean times where the natural thin would have likely starved. Unfortunately we live in a world with too much food and too much high fat high sugar food. Many also propose that the highly processed food we have developed in the last 50 years is also stopping our bodies naturally controlling appetite and weight.
There are a number of these type of drugs already available and numerous under development. So far in 20 years of use and numerous studies there are no obvious dangers but in rodents the saw increased risk of thyroid cancer so they warn u against taking if you have a family history of this. TBF its extremely rare anyway so this would possibly be an increased risk
The other condition warned about is pancretitus which actually can often be seen in diet based weight loss anyway so its important to eat high protein and drink lots of water to help protect against this.
Majority side effects are some nausea and gastro issues but the majority get no side effects or mild versions of these.
There are a number of medical conditions that are being investigated that possibly may be treatable with these type of medications based on things they have seen in groups of diabetics who have been long term on these meds. These include heart desease, addictions, alzheimers and some types of cancer. The problem is how much is due to weight loss itself as obesity and diabetes contribute to all these deseases, and how much is just on the drugs.
In return the food noise that you get as well as cravings and the knawing hunger between meals is just gone completely. It enables you to eat better and smaller potions and generally seems to encourage better health behaviours in studies.
However as its stil being studied longer term I think you have to weigh up risk verses reward. For me obesity and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is far more of a risk that the side effects of the drugs and it has been lifechanging.
But I think for someone who just needs to lose a few pounds for a special occasion then diet and exercise is the way to go and the risks for them aren't worth it.
The interesting thing is how it will effect the world we live in. If as many experts predict within 10 years these drugs will be a cheap daily pill that they believe large numbers of people worldwide will take akin to statin treatments now then that effect companies who profit from obesity like manufacturers of knee and hip replacments fast food companies, diet companies etc. But maybe down the line this will create a future generation not exposed to large amounts of unhealthy food available everywhere, a societal push to better quality food and save NHS a fortune in obesity treatments.