Certified Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Resource for Exam Success!

GLP-1 receptor agonists often cause GI side effects because they slow gastric emptying and suppress appetite while also stimulating glucose-dependent insulin release. This combination leads most commonly to nausea, and can include vomiting and diarrhea, especially when starting therapy or titrating the dose. These GI symptoms tend to lessen over time as tolerance develops. Hypoglycemia is less common with GLP-1 RAs taken alone, since insulin release is glucose-dependent, and hypertension or headaches are not the hallmark adverse events of this class.