A growing number of Americans are turning to GLP-1 drugs to manage their weight. According to Statista, the percentage of people who reported using the medication rose from 5.8 percent in February of 2024 to 12.4 percent a little over a year later. Additionally, analysts at J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. estimate that up to 25 million Americans could be on GLP-1 treatment by 2030. With this in mind, everyone needs to know how common habits need to change when taking this medication.
8 Supplements to Avoid
1. Fiber Supplements
While fiber is generally great for digestive health, taking large amounts of viscous or high-fiber supplements can have a negative effect. Given that GLP-1 medications slow digestion, you may experience bloating, gas, and nausea. These are already potential side effects of the drugs, so you may make your situation worse.
Some people have constipation from GLP-1 medication, and slowly increasing your fiber intake can get your bowels moving more regularly. But, instead of turning to fiber supplements, aim to add more high-fiber foods to your diet, along with plenty of fluids. Note that if you’re having the opposite side effect – diarrhea – you’ll want to temporarily reduce your intake of fiber-rich foods until symptoms improve.
2. Magnesium Oxide
Some people supplement their diet with magnesium as it’s an essential mineral for muscle function, nerve health, and good sleep. However, when it comes to magnesium oxide, you may be doing your body a disservice. Even under the best circumstances, this form of magnesium isn’t absorbed well by the body. When you add the slow digestion caused by GLP-1 medications, absorption can become more challenging. To make matters worse, unabsorbed magnesium can draw water into the colon, leading to bloating, cramping, or diarrhea.
Better alternatives may include magnesium glycinate or magnesium L-threonate, which are more easily absorbed. You should talk to your doctor about your options before starting them, though.
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3. Fat Burners or Stimulants
It may be tempting to boost your weight-loss journey with fat burners or stimulants that claim to increase your metabolism. Many of these supplements can contain caffeine, green tea extract, guarana, yohimbine, or synephrine (bitter orange). Unfortunately, taking them in combination with GLP-1 medications can make side effects like nausea worse. Additionally, these supplements can suppress your appetite, which can be dangerous as the GLP-1 drugs are already doing that.
4. Berberine
Some research suggests that berberine can help reduce insulin resistance and support weight management. Some social media users have also suggested that the plant-based supplement may be a natural way to regulate blood sugar. However, your GLP-1 medications are already doing that, so combining them with berberine may lower your blood sugar. This may lead to dizziness, fainting, or a trip to the hospital in the worst-case scenario.
5. Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)
This antioxidant is found naturally in yeast, broccoli, and spinach, but some people take ALA supplements to help with nerve pain and inflammation. Just like berberine, though, ALA can reduce insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels, so it’s not a good idea to take these supplements with GLP-1 medications.
6. Appetite Suppressants
In an effort to eat even less, some people add appetite suppressants to their regimen. Doing this could put your health at risk since the GLP-1 medications are already doing that. There can be a fine line between malnutrition and healthy eating when your appetite is suppressed.
7. Chromium
This is another supplement often recommended to help keep your blood sugar in check. Similar to the warning for berberine, taking chromium with GLP-1 or other diabetes medications can possibly raise your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
8. Garcinia Cambogia
This supplement is derived from a tropical fruit and has been promoted as an effective appetite suppressant that also prevents fat formation. The truth is that it has not been proven effective for any form of weight management. It can, however, increase your risk of liver failure, so the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against its use.
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Why Your Doctor May Not Bring it Up
Although the use of GLP-1 drugs is rising, there is still a lot to learn about the best ways to manage their potential side effects. In fact, a December 2025 survey published by Rand Health Quarterly notes that population-level research on these medicines and their potential side effects is still “in its infancy.” Much of what health professionals know so far comes from clinical trials and patient-reported experiences, which means some side effects may be better recognized than others. The most commonly discussed issues include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and facial volume loss, sometimes referred to as a “hollowed-out” appearance.
A similar situation may be affecting the information about GLP-1 drugs and how they interact with other medications. Some of the available data come from clinical trials and theoretical assertions about how certain drugs work. For example, since GLP-1 drugs may slow your stomach’s movement and how quickly it empties, they may affect how well your body absorbs other medications.
At least one clinical trial shows that slowed digestion may affect the absorption of specific drugs used to treat hypothyroidism. These drugs rely on being taken on an empty stomach, so delayed emptying can be an issue. Additionally, another study showed that slowed digestion may affect the efficacy of specific drugs used to manage heart failure.
While your doctor is likely to discuss these drug interactions with you, potential supplement interactions have received far less attention so far. More research needs to be done to determine the potential negative interactions between supplements and GLP-1 medications. In the meantime, some doctors are making educated suggestions based on their knowledge of how supplements can affect you–especially when combined with GLP-1 drugs.
But why aren’t doctors asking you outright what supplements you’re taking? The short answer is that they likely are. When taking your medical history or before prescribing a new medication, most doctors ask if you’re taking any medication. Unfortunately, most people may assume that they’re asking about prescribed medications instead of vitamins, supplements, or items like over-the-counter pain relievers.
The key here is to tell your doctor and pharmacist about any and all drugs or supplements you take. You should also let them know if you start taking a new supplement while on a GLP-1 medication. It’s the best way to ensure that they can guide you well.
Tips for Staying Healthy While Taking GLP-1 Drugs
Although GLP-1 medications can be highly beneficial, lasting overall health still depends on making supportive lifestyle changes. Along with muting your appetite, you may also feel less thirsty. This doesn’t mean that your body needs less water to function, though. To combat this, you have to be more intentional with staying hydrated and drink the suggested seven to eight glasses of water, whether you feel thirsty or not.
As the medication slows down your digestive system, additional fiber can help to ease some of the potential discomfort. Since fiber supplements are discouraged, focus on adding fiber through your diet after talking to your doctor. Some great fiber-rich foods include pears, strawberries, apples, bananas, carrots, beets, artichokes, broccoli, lentils, kidney beans, oats, almonds, and quinoa.
Eating less also means you need to pay more attention to having high-nutrient foods in your diet. As you’re aiming to be healthy overall, you need to consume foods that are high in essential vitamins and minerals. Your doctor or dietitian can guide you with a personalized plan, but whole grains, lean proteins, fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are a good bet.
Finally, losing weight shouldn’t equal losing muscle. That’s because your muscles are essential for maintaining good balance, strength, and mobility. They may also play a role in healthy metabolism and energy levels. The best ways to keep your muscle mass while taking GLP-1 drugs are to eat a steady amount of protein and maintain a regular exercise routine, including strength training. These details need to be discussed with your doctor, as your protein needs will depend on your age, weight, gender, height, and activity level.