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

Short answer: Medicines for weight loss, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, have been extensively studied and have been shown to be safe for most people who are overweight, provided that treatment is started under medical supervision. It is normal to have doubts beforehand, and this deserves an honest answer, not a sales pitch.

Almost 8 out of 10 Goodweigh customers felt some hesitation before they started. This is evident from our customer satisfaction survey from June 2026, which covered 1,010 customers. This hesitation is understandable: it involves medical treatment, money and a subject that affects many people personally. Anyone hesitating about weight-loss medication wants, above all, to know whether it carries any risks and whether it works for someone in their specific situation. In this article, we address the five biggest barriers that emerged from our survey, and what science and our customers say about them.

The five biggest barriers according to our survey

Hesitation about starting weight-loss medication is not irrational, but a legitimate concern that anyone considering it should have. Our customer satisfaction survey of 1,010 respondents reveals which considerations carry the most weight.

Price and concerns about online medical treatment top the list, but safety and effectiveness follow closely behind. Below, we go through what applies to each concern and what is known about it.

Are over-the-counter medicines safe? Here’s what the research says

Weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have been shown to be safe in large-scale studies, 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 agonist class, 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 has been shown to be safe and effective over 68 weeks in adults who are overweight or obese. The most common side effect is nausea, which affects around 44 per cent of Wegovy users compared with 16 per cent in the placebo group, and which usually subsides once the body has adjusted 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 refers to temporary hair loss that resolves on its own.

Serious side effects are rare but severe: pancreatitis, gallstones, dehydration which can lead to kidney failure, and, in rare cases, the eye condition NAION. Research on 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 suitable for this treatment.

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 about the side effects of Ozempic.

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

Most people lose a significant 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, as shown by the aforementioned STEP 1 study. For tirzepatide, the figure is 20–22 per cent, as demonstrated by the SURMOUNT-1 study. A broader analysis published in 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 still slow during the first few weeks, as the dose is gradually increased.

After a few months, results usually improve noticeably. If progress is slower than expected for you, 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 be that way

Feelings of shame surrounding weight-loss medication are understandable but unfounded: being overweight is a chronic condition with a biological basis, not a result of a lack of willpower. There is now scientific consensus on this, according to a frequently cited review article in *Obesity Reviews*, which describes obesity as a chronic, recurrent disease process. Farmacotherapeutisch Kompas supports this medical view of obesity and the role that drug treatment plays in this context.

Eleven per cent of our customers cited shame as a barrier to getting started. Online treatment, on the contrary, lowers this threshold: no waiting room, no face-to-face meeting, no feeling of being judged. Clients who have taken this step despite their feelings of shame are, in hindsight, satisfied with their choice.

Is it really safe to start medical treatment online?

Digital healthcare may feel daunting for many, but Goodweigh guarantees the same medical rigour as during a face-to-face consultation. You first undergo a comprehensive assessment, during which a doctor evaluates your health, medical history and suitability, and the support does not end after the initial assessment: your progress is monitored, and in the event of side effects or queries, you can contact your treating doctor or coach.

Online healthcare in the Netherlands is also regulated by the Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd (IGJ), with statutory frameworks for quality and safety, even outside the physical consultation room. If you’d like to know exactly how the assessment and treatment at Goodweigh work, you can read more on the how it works page.

Still having second thoughts? Ask your questions in advance

It’s perfectly fine to have second thoughts, and there’s no fixed deadline by which you must make a decision. However, if you need more time, it’s wise to get answers to your questions in advance, so that you can start with a clear picture rather than uncertainty.

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

It’s normal to have doubts, but don’t let that 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 testimonials (16 per cent) and a positive first interaction with Goodweigh (14 per cent). Doubts don’t usually disappear on their own: they’re dispelled through concrete information and personal contact.

Do you have questions about whether medically supervised weight loss is right for you? Take a look at Goodweigh’s weight loss programme or complete the intake form to find out what medical guidance could mean for you. Still unsure about the method itself? Read about how coaching for medically supervised weight loss helps you maintain your results.