The Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Workplace Health and Safety Practices

admin306275
Jan 11
4 min read

Over recent years, a class of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists has reshaped approaches to weight management. Medications such as semaglutide (including Wegovy® and Ozempic®) and tirzepatide (e.g. Mounjaro®) were originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but are now increasingly used to support weight loss in adults with obesity or weight-related health conditions.

As their use becomes more widespread among working-age populations, these treatments intersect more frequently with workplace health and safety, particularly in roles where sustained alertness, physical capability, or operational reliability are critical. For occupational health (OH) professionals, this represents an evolving area of awareness rather than a new clinical directive.

What GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Do

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite regulation and gastric emptying. In clinical use, they have demonstrated clinically meaningful weight reduction, particularly when combined with dietary and lifestyle measures, with some studies showing sustained benefits over many months of treatment. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39761578/

Beyond weight loss, these medicines are associated with improvements in metabolic markers such as insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control, which has contributed to their growing use beyond traditional diabetes care. This broader uptake means OH practitioners are more likely to encounter employees using these medications during routine health assessments or safety-related reviews.

Side Effects Relevant to Workplace Safety

Like all medicines, GLP-1 receptor agonists have a recognised side-effect profile. The most commonly reported effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and delayed gastric emptying. Dehydration can occur, particularly if gastrointestinal symptoms are pronounced.

These effects are well documented by regulatory authorities such as the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and are most frequently reported during treatment initiation or dose escalation. While the majority of cases are mild to moderate and self-limiting, rare but more serious complications (such as acute pancreatitis or dehydration requiring hospital treatment) have been reported.

From an occupational health perspective, these clinical characteristics have contextual relevance rather than implying inherent work restriction:

Symptom overlap: Transient symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, or gastrointestinal discomfort may overlap with symptoms that can affect concentration, stamina, or physical performance, particularly in safety-critical or safety-sensitive roles.
Timing considerations: Awareness that side effects are more likely following recent treatment initiation or dose changes may help contextualise symptoms reported during health reviews or functional assessments.
Medication interactions: GLP-1 medicines used alone do not typically cause hypoglycaemia in non-diabetic individuals. However, when used alongside other glucose-lowering therapies (e.g. insulin or sulfonylureas), the risk profile may differ and warrants careful consideration in safety-critical contexts.
Medication source: Regulators have highlighted concerns about unlicensed, compounded, or counterfeit versions of GLP-1 medicines obtained outside regulated prescribing pathways, which may carry additional and unpredictable risks.

Safety-Critical Work and Fitness-for-Work Context

There are no UK occupational or regulatory guidelines that mandate fixed exclusion or restriction periods from safety-critical duties solely on the basis of GLP-1 medication use. Civil aviation and other safety-regulated sectors emphasise individual functional assessment rather than time-based rules, focusing on whether symptoms or side effects could reasonably impair safe performance.

In practice, occupational health involvement tends to be most relevant where:

An individual reports side effects that may affect alertness, physical performance, or task reliability.
GLP-1 therapy is combined with other medications that may increase hypoglycaemia risk.
A role involves high-consequence decision-making, lone working, or limited tolerance for transient impairment.

In these situations, OH assessment provides a structured way to consider actual functional impact, rather than the presence of a medication alone.

Beyond Side Effects: Longer-Term Health Context

Emerging evidence suggests that discontinuation of GLP-1 therapy is often associated with weight regain over time, with a proportion of individuals regaining some or all of the lost weight within 12–18 months. highlighting that these treatments function as ongoing medical therapies rather than short-term interventions.

From an OH perspective, this reinforces the value of viewing GLP-1 use within a broader, long-term health context, alongside lifestyle factors, job demands, and existing health conditions. Occupational health services often play a coordinating role in this wider picture, working alongside primary care rather than duplicating clinical management.

Occupational Health Awareness Points

The increasing prevalence of GLP-1 use among employees introduces several practical considerations for OH teams:

Including relevant medication information within routine clinical histories where it may provide context for symptoms or functional findings.
Recognising that most side effects are mild and temporary, but that their timing and pattern may be informative during safety-focused assessments.
Supporting awareness of regulated prescribing and discouraging reliance on unverified or illicit medication sources.
Integrating knowledge of emerging medical treatments into existing health surveillance and risk-assessment frameworks, without shifting into prescriptive clinical roles.

Conclusion:

Weight-loss medications such as GLP-1 receptor agonists are evidence-based treatments for eligible individuals living with obesity or metabolic disease. Their benefits and side-effect profiles are well described in clinical trials and regulatory literature.

For occupational health practitioners, their relevance lies not in alarm or automatic restriction, but in understanding the clinical context and incorporating that understanding into proportionate, role-specific fitness-for-work assessments. As medical therapies continue to evolve, informed awareness enables OH services to support both employee wellbeing and workplace safety in a balanced, evidence-based way.