Worried About CTE? What to Know About Risk, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Updated on Sep 15, 2026 | Featured, Neurology, Your Health

A football player in a red helmet looks down the field at a fellow player, who is blurred in the background

You may have heard about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease linked to repeated hits to the head. CTE has been found in some former NFL players and others who had repeated head impacts.

If you or a family member played contact sports, you may wonder about the risk of CTE. The risk depends in part on how often and for how long a person experienced repeated head impacts. Even people with extensive exposure do not always develop CTE.

In this Q&A, Kristen Dams-O’Connor, PhD, Director of the Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai, explains what researchers know about CTE, what may affect your risk, and what you can do if you are concerned.

headshot of Kristen Dams-O’Connor, PhD, Director of the Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai

Kristen Dams-O’Connor, PhD

How do I know if I’m at risk for CTE?

The biggest known risk factor for CTE is extensive exposure to repeated hits to the head over a long period of time. Researchers call these repetitive head impacts.

American football is the best-studied example. Repeated head impacts can also happen in other contact sports, including soccer, and possibly during military service or from domestic violence.

In football, the risk appears to increase based on how many years a person played, the level at which they played, and their position. For example, someone who played football briefly as a child or teenager would have a very different level of exposure than an NFL player who experienced repeated impacts for many years. If someone played in a position that exposed them to more impact, like a lineman, that may also carry greater risk.

Just because someone experiences repetitive head impacts does not mean they will get CTE. In fact, most people who have played football never develop CTE, and it isn’t clear yet why some do but others don’t.

Can one concussion cause CTE?

Current evidence does not suggest that one traumatic brain injury, whether it’s a mild concussion or more severe traumatic brain injury, puts you at significant risk for CTE. Researchers have found very few cases of CTE in people whose only known exposure was a single traumatic brain injury. The concern is greater when a person has repeated head impacts over time. These impacts do not have to cause diagnosed concussions, it is the extent and duration of repetitive head impacts that seems to matter most.

Can I be tested for CTE?

There is currently no test that can definitively diagnose CTE while a person is alive. CTE can only be diagnosed by examining brain tissue under a microscope after death.

Researchers are studying ways to diagnose CTE during life. These include blood tests that may detect signs of disease and specialized brain imaging. These tools are still being studied and cannot currently diagnose CTE in patients.

What symptoms should I be concerned about?

People who were found to have CTE after death have experienced symptoms such as:

  • memory changes
  • acting without thinking
  • irritability
  • trouble controlling emotions
  • poor decision-making
  • problems with planning, organizing, and completing tasks

Having these symptoms does not mean you have CTE. They are common after traumatic brain injuries and can also occur with dementia and many other conditions. At this time, researchers cannot tell from symptoms alone whether a person has the brain changes associated with CTE.

Substance use, including alcohol and drug use, can also contribute to symptoms during life, and may also contribute to the deaths of some people who are later diagnosed with CTE. But these concerns should not automatically be attributed to CTE, and many can be treated.

What can I do if I’m worried about CTE?

First, do not assume you have CTE. Problems such as memory difficulties, emotional changes, depression, or trouble controlling anger may have other causes, and some can be treated effectively. Also, fearing you have CTE may cause psychological problems. For example, research has found that some people who fear they have CTE experience depression and even suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Instead, focus on getting treatment for the symptoms you are experiencing rather than assuming CTE is causing them.

Behavioral and psychological treatments may help with some symptoms. For example, the Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai offers neuropsychology and brain injury rehabilitation services that can help patients manage problems with thinking, memory, emotions, and behavior. Treatment may include psychotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and learning strategies for managing emotions. Medications may also be appropriate for certain symptoms.

Learn about the Brain Injury Research Center of Mount Sinai

What to Know About mFlusiva, the New mRNA Flu Vaccine

Sep 15, 2026 | Cold and Flu, Family Medicine, Featured, Infectious Diseases, Vaccines, Your Health

For the first time, adults age 50 and older in the United States can get an mRNA flu vaccine.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved mFlusiva®, the first mRNA flu vaccine, in August 2026. Moderna makes mFlusiva. It uses the same basic vaccine technology as mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. But it targets influenza.

Unlike traditional flu vaccines, mFlusiva does not contain a live or killed influenza virus, or pieces of the virus. Instead, it uses messenger RNA (mRNA). This gives temporary instructions to your immune system, your body’s natural defense system. The instructions help it learn to recognize influenza.

This new approach might even have an edge over traditional flu vaccines.

“There is some evidence that suggests mFlusiva may offer somewhat better protection against the flu than traditional flu vaccines,” says Rebecca Choudhury, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

How does mFlusiva work? How well does it protect against the flu? What do we know about safety and side effects? Dr. Choudhury explains the new mRNA flu vaccine and gives advice on getting your flu shot.

Rebecca Choudhury, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

How does mFlusiva work, and how is it different from traditional flu vaccines?

Traditional flu vaccines show the influenza virus or parts of it to the immune system. This teaches the immune system to recognize and fight the virus later. Depending on the vaccine, that may mean a killed virus, a weakened virus, or pieces of the virus.

mFlusiva is an mRNA vaccine. It does not contain a living or dead virus. It also does not contain viral parts. The vaccine uses messenger RNA designed to produce influenza surface proteins called hemagglutinin.

An image of the mFlusiva mRNA flu vaccine. Image credit: Moderna

It’s the same basic principle used by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. But the target is different. COVID-19 vaccines tell cells to make the coronavirus spike protein. mFlusiva tells cells to make an influenza surface protein.

“This flu vaccine is creating a different protein, but the principle of how it works is the same,” says Dr. Choudhury.

Is mFlusiva more effective than traditional flu vaccines?

In one trial in adults age 50 and older, about 2 percent of people who received mFlusiva developed influenza confirmed by lab testing within six months of vaccination. By comparison, 2.8 percent of people who received a standard-dose flu vaccine developed influenza. The mFlusiva group had a 27 percent lower rate of flu.

For adults 65 and older, there is an important caveat. People in this age group typically receive a high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccine rather than the standard-dose vaccine used in this trial. An adjuvanted vaccine has an added ingredient that helps the vaccine work better.

Studies comparing the immune response to mFlusiva with a high-dose flu vaccine have been encouraging. Immune response means how the body reacts to a vaccine to build protection.

“However, a stronger immune response does not necessarily mean better protection against actually getting the flu,” Dr. Choudhury notes.

Another study is expected to directly compare clinical outcomes between mFlusiva and a high-dose flu vaccine in adults 65 and older.

Is mFlusiva safe? What are the side effects?

Clinical trials so far suggest mFlusiva has a safety profile similar to traditional flu vaccines for serious adverse events. These are harmful or unexpected medical problems or side effects.

In a trial comparing mFlusiva with a standard-dose flu vaccine, serious vaccine-related adverse events were very rare. They occurred at similar rates in both groups.

Researchers also looked closely at heart-related events because of concerns previously raised about mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

One participant who received mFlusiva developed cardiomyopathy and pericarditis. These are two heart-related conditions. This happened about three months later. It was unclear whether the vaccine caused them. One participant in the traditional flu vaccine group also developed pericarditis.

Dr. Choudhury says current data do not show a higher risk of these events with mFlusiva than with traditional flu vaccines.

The main difference so far is short-term side effects. Injection-site reactions, headaches, body aches, and fatigue occurred more often with mFlusiva than with traditional flu vaccines. This was seen across multiple studies.

“These symptoms are generally relatively mild, they go away on their own without any sort of treatment,” Dr. Choudhury says.

What are the advantages of an mRNA flu vaccine?

“The advantages are less so in how the vaccine itself works, and more so in how the vaccine is made,” Dr. Choudhury says.

Each year, scientists must predict which influenza strains will circulate months before flu season. Traditional flu vaccines take several months to produce. That can make it hard to change the vaccine if the strains that circulate are different from those expected.

Because mRNA vaccines do not rely on growing influenza virus in a lab, they can be produced more quickly. Dr. Choudhury says this could give vaccine makers more flexibility. They can update an mRNA vaccine when an unexpected flu strain begins circulating.

That flexibility could help produce flu vaccines that more closely match the strains actually circulating. It could also potentially improve how well seasonal flu vaccines protect people.

Who can get mFlusiva, and who may want to consider it?

mFlusiva is approved for adults age 50 and older. Based on the evidence so far, Dr. Choudhury says adults ages 50 to 64 may have the clearest reason to consider it.

People ages 50 to 64 typically receive a standard-dose flu vaccine. That was the same type used in the clinical trial. The trial found a lower rate of influenza among mFlusiva recipients.

Dr. Choudhury says mFlusiva may be especially worth considering for adults ages 50 to 64 with long-lasting (chronic) health conditions. These conditions can raise the risk of severe influenza. They include high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, obesity, or chronic lung disease.

Adults 65 and older can also receive mFlusiva. However, researchers are still gathering stronger clinical evidence. The studies compare mFlusiva with the high-dose or adjuvanted flu vaccines typically recommended for this age group.

Still, choosing between vaccines should not stop you from getting vaccinated.

“Ultimately, the best flu vaccine is the flu vaccine that you can get,” Dr. Choudhury says. If mFlusiva is not easy to get, she recommends getting an appropriate flu vaccine from your doctor’s office, pharmacy, or workplace rather than going without vaccination.

Can an mRNA flu vaccine change your DNA?

No. The mRNA in mFlusiva cannot change your DNA. It also cannot become part of your genetic code.

Dr. Choudhury says this has confused some people. Some worry that mRNA could reprogram their genetic code. But that’s not how the technology works.

Like other mRNA vaccines, mFlusiva gives cells temporary instructions to make a specific protein. Here, that protein is an influenza surface protein. The mRNA is then quickly broken down by the body.

“The mRNA in mFlusiva cannot become part of your genome,” says Dr. Choudhury.

When should you get your flu shot?

Flu season typically begins around October. Infections often peak around December. But the timing can vary from year to year.

Your immune system needs about two weeks after vaccination to build protection. Dr. Choudhury recommends planning ahead. The same timing applies to mFlusiva.

“I typically get the flu vaccine myself around early October,” Dr. Choudhury says.

Getting vaccinated is important even if you don’t consider yourself at high risk for serious problems from the flu. Influenza can cause severe illness that requires a hospital stay. Even a less serious case can leave you sick in bed for a week or longer.

“Getting your flu shot is a very easy, safe and effective step you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick and reduce your risk of making others sick,” Dr. Choudhury says.

Have questions about the new vaccine? Talk with your doctor.

What Are the Signs My Loved One Could Have Dementia?

Sep 11, 2026 | Geriatrics, Neurology, Your Health

An adult daughter sits with her senior father with her arm around his shoulder as they hold hands

As your loved one gets older, they may experience slower thinking, difficulty with names, and forgetfulness. But how can you tell the difference between normal age-related changes and those caused by dementia?

Dementia includes a range of disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, which is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain. While there are different types and causes of dementia, the symptoms are similar.

A headshot of Samuel Gandy, MD, PhD, Mount Sinai neurologist and prominent Alzheimer’s disease researcher

Samuel Gandy, MD, PhD

In this Q&A, Samuel Gandy, MD, PhD, a Mount Sinai neurologist and prominent Alzheimer’s disease researcher, explains common signs that your loved one may have dementia.

What signs could mean my loved one is developing dementia?

Possible signs of dementia include changes in memory and thinking that begin to interfere with a loved one’s everyday life. Changes that affect everyday activities may be noticed in a variety of ways.

For example, your loved one may:

  • Ask the same question repeatedly within a few minutes.
  • Forget to pay bills.
  • Become lost in familiar places.
  • Not recognize that anything has changed.

Why does my loved one not recognize these changes?

Not everyone who is developing dementia recognizes changes in memory or thinking. Some people notice changes in their own memory and decide to see a doctor. Others may not recognize that anything has changed. In those cases, family members or friends may be the first to notice problems, especially when changes begin to interfere with everyday life.

What factors may increase my loved one’s risk of dementia?

Several factors can make dementia more likely, especially if your loved one:

  • Is between the ages of 65 and 72. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia, typically occurs after age 65. Less common forms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, can occur at younger ages.
  • Has a family history of dementia. If your loved one has a parent or sibling with dementia, their risk may be about twice as high as it would be otherwise.
  • Carries certain forms of a gene called APOE, which can substantially increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Having two copies of certain forms of APOE can increase risk by as much as 12 times. Genetic testing for dementia is available at Mount Sinai.
  • Has experienced problems with blood flow to the brain, such as having a stroke. Multiple strokes are known to cause vascular dementia, a type of dementia associated with poor blood flow to the brain.
  • Has diabetes and/or is obese

What should I do if I think my loved one has dementia?

Don’t assume they have dementia. Speak to them gently. Tell them you have noticed they seem to have some trouble remembering things. Ask them if you can make an appointment with their primary care doctor and if it’s okay for you to go with them. In the meantime, take notes of what you are noticing to share with their doctor.

Schedule an appointment with a Mount Sinai primary care doctor

How Much Do You Know About Prostate Cancer? Take the Quiz

Updated on Sep 9, 2026 | Featured, Your Health

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men, affecting about one in eight men in their lifetime. Knowing the facts about prostate cancer can help reduce your risk. Take the quiz below, then click “Done” to see your score and correct answers.

This quiz was developed with world-renowned urologist and prostate cancer specialist Ash Tewari, MBBS, MCh, FRCS, (Hon.), DSc (Hon.), Chair of the Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Create your own user feedback survey

Learn more about prostate cancer screening and diagnosis at Mount Sinai

Who Is at Risk of Postpartum Psychosis—and Is It Treatable?

Sep 1, 2026 | Featured, Psychiatry, Your Health

A photo of a new mother holding her baby.

Having a baby can turn your world upside down.

Many new mothers experience a feeling of sadness that may last for a few weeks and go away on its own. And about one in eight women reported signs of a more significant postpartum depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A much smaller group of women, about one in a thousand, have a far more severe concern called postpartum psychosis. For years, there has been little awareness of postpartum psychosis. Lately, the condition has been in the news. When caught early, postpartum psychosis can be treated successfully.

In this Q&A, Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD, a psychiatrist and Director of Mount Sinai’s Women’s Mental Health Center, explains some of the key symptoms of postpartum psychosis, its likely causes, and some possible treatments.

A photo of Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD

Veerle Bergink, MD, PhD

“The most important thing to know is that postpartum psychosis is very treatable,” Dr. Bergink says. “If you detect and treat it, the woman will be fine. In our study, 98 percent of women got better, sometimes within days or weeks.” Under her leadership, Mount Sinai is researching the diagnosis and treatment of postpartum psychosis and has played a major role in attempting to shed light on this often-ignored condition.

How do you diagnose postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is a severe mental illness that shows up during the first three months after childbirth. Women with this condition can display mania, psychosis, or depression with psychotic features. They may have these symptoms: 

  • Mania: When someone has a manic episode, thoughts race through their heads. They may behave in ways that are excessive. Sometimes people buy a lot, or they have grand plans. Their moods can be really over the top. They’re not happy, they’re over the moon. Or they are very irritable, they’re very, very annoyed by everyone and everything. 
  • Psychosis: This is when someone loses touch with reality. They may hear things that no one else does or see things that are not there. They might have weird ideas or become extremely paranoid or have delusions of grandiosity, religion or guilt. 
  • Depression with psychotic features: This is when someone’s mood is really low, and at the same time, they have lost touch with reality. For example, they don’t think that their child is crying a lot today but that they are the devil. They don’t think they’re responsible for a minor disagreement but that all wars are their fault.

These symptoms can vary, too. A woman might have mania, then dive quickly into a depression. She might have mania and depression at the same time. Or she might have symptoms one day, seem normal the next day, then display symptoms again later.

How does this look to family and friends?

Basically, you have a sense that something is off. You might think, “I know my sister, daughter, wife, and this is not her.”

How serious is postpartum psychosis?

Postpartum psychosis is very serious. If left untreated, there is a high risk of suicide. The  infanticide risk is very low, but if it happens it gets understandably a lot of media attention. Fortunately, it is highly treatable.

What are treatments for postpartum psychosis?

To treat postpartum psychosis, we start women with antipsychotic medication and lithium. Antipsychotics can be tapered after the acute phase (usually a few weeks) and women are advised to take lithium for one  year and then taper. Electroconvulsive therapy works as good as lithium. If a woman who had postpartum psychosis gets pregnant again, we advise to restart treatment the same day after they give birth to prevent another episode. There is no risk of postpartum psychosis during pregnancy, just after delivery. Women with bipolar disorder are at high risk for postpartum psychosis as well. They can prevent it by taking medication immediately after delivery.

It is also vital to make sure women with postpartum psychosis get enough sleep. They need a partner who can provide all the infant care overnight so the woman can sleep. This is especially key during the first few days and weeks after the birth. 

What causes postpartum psychosis?

We are not sure exactly what causes postpartum psychosis, but we do have several ideas. After women give birth, they experience a sudden, sharp decrease in estrogen and progesterone called a “hormone free fall.” We think this is one of the triggers. But when researchers tried to prevent this freefall with hormone replacement therapy, it didn’t protect women from experiencing postpartum psychosis. So, while hormone free fall probably contributes to postpartum psychosis, it isn’t the sole cause.

What else might be involved?

We think the immune system is also part of the problem. While a woman is pregnant, her immune system adapts to avoid rejecting the fetus the way it might reject a donated liver or kidney. But after she gives birth, the immune system goes back to the way it had been. Most autoimmune diseases have a flare-up after delivery. We know, for instance, that women with rheumatoid arthritis usually feel better during pregnancy. But after they give birth, the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms come back. Given that all disorders with postpartum onset in general medicine are immune related, we think that immune dysfunction plays a major role in postpartum psychosis as well. We have done small studies and urgently need funding for larger studies.

Who is most likely to develop postpartum psychosis?

It is just bad luck. Postpartum psychosis happens in women of all backgrounds and educational levels all over the world. But there are two groups of women who have a very high risk of postpartum psychosis:

  • Women who have bipolar disorder: Their risk goes from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 6 for postpartum psychosis and 1 in 6 for postpartum depression. So that means women with bipolar disorder have a 1 in 3 risk for becoming mentally ill after childbirth.
  • Women who have already had postpartum psychosis: Their risk also rises from 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 3 to get seriously ill after delivery (both postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis)

How do I reduce my risk of postpartum psychosis?

If you are at high risk of postpartum psychosis, you should begin treatment right after you give birth to prevent it.

What does scientific research say about postpartum psychosis?

Recent studies have underlined the link between the condition and bipolar disorder. Researchers are working hard to spread the word about postpartum psychosis and have it recognized as an official diagnosis.

 

Learn more about Mount Sinai's Women’s Mental Health Center

GLP-1 Medications Explained: What You Should Know

Updated on Sep 1, 2026 | Diabetes, Endocrinology, Featured, Heart Health, Popular, Vascular Health, Your Health

GLP-1 medications are now a major topic in health care and the news. These drugs can help people manage type 2 diabetes and lose weight. Researchers are also studying how they may help with other health problems.

What are GLP-1 medications? How do they work? What should you know about their benefits, side effects, and risks?

Reshmi Srinath, MD, Director of the Mount Sinai Weight and Metabolism Management Program, explains the basics of GLP-1 medications.

What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 medications act like a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1.

The small intestine releases GLP-1. This hormone helps control blood sugar. It also helps people feel full after eating.

Researchers began studying gut hormones many years ago. They found that natural GLP-1 breaks down fast in the body. They later made forms that last longer and can be used as drugs.

Most GLP-1 drugs are peptides. Peptides are made from the same building blocks as proteins. Some newer drugs are not peptides. They can still target the same GLP-1 receptor in the body.

Reshmi Srinath, MD, Director of the Mount Sinai Weight and Metabolism Management Program

How do GLP-1 medications work?

GLP-1 medications affect several parts of the body. They can help:

  • Manage blood sugar: GLP-1 affects the pancreas and liver. Both help control blood sugar.
  • Help you feel full: The drugs can help people feel full after eating.
  • Slow digestion: The drugs slow the speed at which food moves through the digestive system.
  • Support weight loss: Feeling full longer can help people eat less and lose weight.

The first GLP-1 drugs were mainly used for type 2 diabetes. Doctors then noticed that with improvement in diabetes that many patients also lost weight.

Researchers are now studying other ways these drugs may help with other chronic health conditions, says Dr. Srinath.

What are the approved uses of GLP-1 medications?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved GLP-1 medications for these uses:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Obesity and weight management
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Heart disease
  • Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a form of liver disease
  • Reducing certain heart and kidney risks in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease

Some GLP-1 drugs are shots, and some are pills. Not every drug is approved for every use. The table below lists approved drugs, key brand names, and uses*.

Active ingredient Key brand names FDA-approved uses
Semaglutide Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus Type 2 diabetes; weight management; heart and kidney risk reduction; MASH
Tirzepatide Mounjaro, Zepbound Type 2 diabetes; weight management; obstructive sleep apnea; heart risk reduction
Liraglutide Victoza, Saxenda Type 2 diabetes; weight management; heart risk reduction
Dulaglutide Trulicity Type 2 diabetes; heart risk reduction
Orforglipron Foundayo Weight management

*Information accurate as of September 1, 2026.

What other uses are being studied?

Scientists are studying whether GLP-1 drugs may help with other health problems. Research includes:

  • Osteoarthritis
  • Autoimmune diseases, including some skin conditions
  • Cancer
  • Brain conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia

Why might one type of drug affect so many parts of the body? “There may not be one simple answer,” says Dr. Srinath.

Weight loss can improve some long-term health problems. Researchers are also studying how GLP-1 drugs may affect inflammation. Inflammation plays a role in many long-term diseases.

Scientists may find more ways these drugs can help. But more research is needed. We do not yet know if they are safe and effective for these other uses.

What are the most common GLP-1 side effects?

The most common side effects affect the digestive system. They include:

  • Nausea
  • Acid reflux
  • Constipation

Side effects may start soon after treatment begins. They often get better as the body gets used to the drug.

Side effects may come back when the dose goes up, says Dr. Srinath. Talk to your health care provider if they do not go away or worry you.

Are GLP-1 medications safe long term?

“GLP-1 medications are not brand-new drugs,” says Dr. Srinath.

These drugs have been used for diabetes for many years. Thousands of patients have also taken part in studies. Doctors have a large amount of information about their safety and side effects.

Still, newer GLP-1 drugs do not have decades of safety data. Researchers continue to study their long-term effects as more people use them.

Dr. Srinath says more long-term safety data is still needed. For now, she says the evidence is reassuring and the benefits outweigh any risks.

What are common concerns about GLP-1 medications?

As these drugs have become more popular, people have asked more questions about their effects. Here is what we know about some common concerns.

Are GLP-1 medications a “magic” weight-loss drug?

No. GLP-1 drugs can be strong tools, but a healthy lifestyle is also important, says Dr. Srinath.

Healthy eating and exercise still matter. Dr. Srinath recommends enough protein, fiber, and water each day. Limiting highly processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol can also help.

The drugs also do not work the same for everyone. Some people in clinical trials did not get the same results as others. GLP-1 drugs are not a guaranteed solution, says Dr. Srinath.

Do GLP-1 medications cause muscle loss?

Muscle loss is a common concern, especially when these drugs are used for weight loss.

“The bottom line is this: You are going to lose muscle no matter how you lose weight,” says Dr. Srinath.

About one-quarter of the weight a person loses may be muscle, while most of the rest is fat, says Dr. Srinath. She notes that muscle loss can happen with any type of weight loss, not just with GLP-1 medications.

Researchers are still studying what this muscle loss may mean. They do not yet know if it affects strength or how well a person can move.

For now, Dr. Srinath recommends staying active. She also recommends exercises that build and keep muscle. Getting enough protein is important too.

Can GLP-1 medications damage the heart?

Current data does not show that GLP-1 drugs damage heart muscle. In fact, some GLP-1 drugs have shown benefits for the heart, says Dr. Srinath.

Research is still underway. But current evidence does not suggest that muscle loss from these drugs weakens the heart.

Can GLP-1 medications affect your eyes?

Some studies have found a possible link to a rare eye problem. This problem affects blood flow to the optic nerve.

“That is an area of ongoing research, and while it is such a low risk, it is something I do tell patients about,” says Dr. Srinath. “I do think the benefits here outweigh any eye risks, though.”

Talk to your health care provider if you notice changes in your vision. You may also need to see an eye doctor.

Do not ignore new vision problems. Do not stop a prescribed drug before you talk to your health care provider.

What are compounded GLP-1 medications?

Some people use compounded GLP-1 drugs. These drugs may cost less and may be easier to get. They are often sold through compounding pharmacies and online health services.

Compounding pharmacies make drugs for individual patients. They do not supply the finished drug made by the original drug maker.

Compounded GLP-1 drugs are not the same as FDA-approved brand-name drugs, says Dr. Srinath. They do not go through the same FDA review for safety, quality, and how well they work.

Concerns about compounded GLP-1 drugs include:

  • The amount of active drug in a dose
  • The strength of the drug
  • Added ingredients, such as preservatives, vitamins, or supplements
  • Differences in quality between pharmacies

Dr. Srinath says some patients have received doses that were too strong or not strong enough. She says it can be hard to know how safe or effective a specific compounded drug may be.

Dr. Srinath recommends FDA-approved brand-name drugs when possible.

Cost and insurance coverage can make these drugs hard to get. This can lead some people to seek compounded drugs instead.

If you use a compounded GLP-1 drug, Dr. Srinath recommends care from a health care provider. This may be an endocrinologist, a weight management specialist, or a primary care provider.

Questions about GLP-1 medication? Schedule an appointment with a doctor