Hesitating about starting with medication? Here are the most frequently asked questions

Short answer: Weight-loss medication such as semaglutide and tirzepatide has been extensively researched and has been found to be safe for most people who are overweight, provided it is started under medical supervision. It is normal to have doubts beforehand, and these deserve an honest answer, not a sales pitch.

Almost 8 out of 10 Goodweigh customers had some doubts before they started. This is evident from our customer satisfaction survey conducted in June 2026 amongst 1,010 customers. These doubts are understandable: this involves medical treatment, money, and a subject that affects many people personally. Anyone who has doubts about weight-loss medication wants to know, above all, whether it carries any risks and whether it will work for someone in their particular situation. In this article, we discuss the five biggest barriers that emerged from our survey, and what the science and our customers have to say about them.

The five biggest barriers from our research

Hesitation before starting weight-loss medication is not irrational, but a serious question that anyone starting out is right to ask. Our customer satisfaction survey of 1,010 respondents shows which considerations carry the most weight.

Price and the anxiety surrounding online medical treatment top the list, but safety and effectiveness follow closely behind. Below, we’ll look at each barrier in turn, exploring the issues involved and what is known about them.

Is weight-loss medication safe? What the science says

Medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have been shown to be safe in large-scale trials, provided they are used under medical supervision. Both have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of overweight and obesity and belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonists, although tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist.

The STEP 1 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, shows that semaglutide proved to be safe and effective over 68 weeks in adults who are overweight or obese. The most commonly reported side effect is nausea, affecting around 44 per cent of Wegovy users compared with 16 per cent on placebo, and this usually subsides once the body adjusts to the dose. Diarrhoea, constipation and a slight increase in heart rate also occur. Hair loss is reported in 2.5% of users compared with 1.0% in the placebo group, and usually involves temporary hair loss that resolves spontaneously.

Serious side effects are rare but serious: pancreatitis, gallstones, dehydration which can lead to kidney failure, and, in rare cases, the eye condition NAION. Research into tirzepatide shows a similar safety profile. People with a history of pancreatitis, severe heart failure or type 1 diabetes, or who are pregnant, are not eligible.

At Goodweigh, a doctor assesses during the initial consultation whether the treatment is suitable, and your progress is monitored throughout the course of treatment. Anyone wishing to know more about specific side effects can read up on the side effects of Ozempic.

Will it work for me too? Here’s what you can expect

Most people lose a substantial proportion of their body weight, but the rate varies greatly from person to person. On average, participants lose 15% of their body weight when using semaglutide over 68 weeks, according to the aforementioned STEP 1 trial. With tirzepatide, this rises to 20–22 per cent, as demonstrated by the SURMOUNT-1 study. A broader analysis from 2025 in the *Annals of Internal Medicine* confirms that GLP-1 agonists, as a class of medicines, are consistently effective for weight loss in adults without diabetes, as shown by this meta-analysis.

Starting weight, lifestyle and genetic predisposition all play a role in how much weight a person loses and at what rate. Progress is often slow in the first few weeks, as the dose is gradually increased.

After a few months, the results usually accelerate noticeably. If your progress is slower than expected, this is not in itself a cause for concern: discuss it with your treating doctor, who can assess whether an adjustment is needed.

Why does it feel embarrassing, and why it doesn’t have to

Feeling ashamed about weight-loss medication is understandable but unjustified: being overweight is a chronic condition with a biological basis, not the result of a lack of willpower. This is now the scientific consensus, as stated in a widely cited review in *Obesity Reviews*, which describes obesity as a chronic, recurrent disease process. The Pharmacotherapeutic Compass endorses this medical view of obesity and the role of medication in its treatment.

Eleven per cent of our clients cited shame as a barrier to getting started. Online treatment actually lowers that barrier: no waiting room, no face-to-face meeting, no feeling of being judged. Clients who have taken this step despite their shame are satisfied with their choice in retrospect.

Is it safe to start medical treatment online?

Digital healthcare feels daunting to many people, but Goodweigh guarantees the same level of medical care as a face-to-face consultation. You first go through a comprehensive intake, during which a doctor assesses your health, medical history and suitability, and the support does not stop after that initial assessment: your progress is monitored, and in the event of side effects or questions, you can contact your treating doctor or coach.

Furthermore, online medical care in the Netherlands is regulated by the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ), with legal frameworks for quality and safety, even outside the physical consultation room. If you’d like to know exactly how the intake and treatment process works at Goodweigh, you can read about it on the how it works page.

Still having second thoughts? Ask your questions in advance

It’s perfectly normal to have doubts, and there’s no set deadline by which you must make a decision. If you need more time, it’s a good idea to get answers to any outstanding questions beforehand, so that you can start with a clear picture rather than uncertainty.

You can do this via the frequently asked questions on the website, or by contacting the Goodweigh team.

Doubts are normal, but don’t let them hold you back

Almost no one starts out without questions, and that’s not a weakness. What ultimately convinced customers in our survey were, above all, other people’s experiences (16%) and a positive first interaction with Goodweigh (14%). Doubts don’t usually disappear on their own: they’re dispelled by concrete information and personal contact.

Do you have questions about whether weight-loss medication is suitable for your situation? Take a look at the Goodweigh weight-loss programme or complete the intake form to discover what medical support can do for you. Are you still unsure about the approach itself? Read how coaching for medical weight loss helps you maintain your results.