4 Ways Walgreens can support your GLP-1 weight management journey 

Walgreens is now offering telehealth visits for weight loss, including FDA-approved GLP-1 prescriptions for eligible patients, with no monthly subscription needed. On top of your personalized clinician-guided care plan and prescription, you can also find products that will support your GLP-1 journey available at Walgreens.

“With the increasing demand for and accessibility of GLP-1s for weight management, we know our customers are looking for support as they work on their health and wellbeing,” says Mike Wolf, senior divisional merchandise manager for health and beauty. “We’re proud to offer a wide variety of products that can help them on their journey.”

Here are four additional reasons to turn to Walgreens during your GLP-1 weight loss treatments.  

1. Supporting nutrition

Maintaining a balanced diet while taking GLP-1s is important since patients typically eat less than they did before starting treatment. To make those calories count, get plenty of nutrients in your diet like protein, fiber and electrolytes.

Protein can help maintain muscle mass during fat loss and fiber can help reduce constipation, a potential GLP-1 medication side effect. Staying hydrated can also help reduce constipation that can accompany GLP-1 use.

2. Supplementing vitamins and minerals

Eating less during GLP-1 use may also reduce the amount of vitamins and minerals that your body gets each day. It can be helpful to take a daily multivitamin or targeted vitamins to help supplement.

Common supplements to consider would be calcium and vitamin D which may help to maintain strong bones, iron and vitamin B12 which support metabolism and may reduce fatigue, and fish oil with omega 3 that can help maintain normal heart and vascular health while reducing inflammation.

Always check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting a new medication or supplement.

3. Alleviating potential gastrointestinal side effects

Taking a GLP-1 can lead to more common, but manageable, side effects like nausea, diarrhea, constipation and abdominal discomfort. Over-the-counter medications may provide some relief, in addition to adjusting what, when and how much you eat. You can also support gut health with probiotics, if right for you.  

4. Treating potential hair thinning

The rapid weight loss that GLP-1 users typically experience can cause a condition called telogen effluvium, which is a temporary increase in hair shedding. This is due to a response from the body to the stress of significant weight loss.

While working with your healthcare provider to review dosing and the speed of your weight loss, the use of hair and scalp treatments that contain minoxidil can help restore hair growth. Hair thickening serum or leave-in conditioner can also promote thicker-looking hair.