Doctors in the UAE have warned that popular weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro, Ozempic and Wegovy can strip away a significant amount of muscle mass alongside fat if patients do not manage their diet and activity levels carefully during treatment.

Dr Niyas Khalid, a specialist in internal medicine at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, cited a sub-study of the Surmount-1 trial showing that roughly 75 per cent of the weight lost by patients on these medications came from fat, while about 25 per cent came from lean muscle mass. He noted that this ratio can worsen when patients neglect adequate nutrition or skip regular physical activity during treatment.

Dr Amna Kiran, an endocrinologist at International Modern Hospital in Dubai, and Dr Kishan Delampady, a consultant endocrinologist at NMC Royal Hospital Sharjah, both stressed that rapid weight loss without sufficient protein intake and regular exercise raises the risk of losing muscle rather than fat. A 2024 study found that Mounjaro alone accounted for about 65.6 per cent of all GLP-1 prescriptions in the UAE, underlining how widely this class of drugs is now used across the country.

The doctors advised patients on these medications not to judge their progress by the scale alone, recommending body composition analysis where available to track the actual ratio of fat to muscle lost. They also urged patients to prioritise protein-rich foods — eggs, fish, lean meat, dairy and legumes — and to stay well hydrated throughout treatment.

Citing World Health Organization guidance, the doctors said at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week is essential to help preserve muscle mass while on these medications. They added that periodic medical follow-up and reassessment during treatment play a key role in ensuring the weight lost is healthy and in preventing unwanted complications down the line.