Q. I'm experiencing severe side effects from GLP-1 medications like Saxenda or Wegovy. Can I get help at a Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) clinic?
Yes, you can. We use herbal medicine to regulate diminished digestive functions and metabolic imbalances, helping to alleviate side effects and support healthy weight management.
📝 Detailed Answer
Many people are currently using GLP-1 receptor agonists. Because these medications forcibly slow down gastrointestinal motility, many patients suffer from dizziness and nausea. From a clinical perspective, the stress placed on the body can be more significant than expected.
In Traditional Korean Medicine, this condition is viewed as Bi-heo (Spleen Deficiency), a state where the function of the Spleen is weakened, leading to impaired digestion and absorption. When this is coupled with Dam-jeok (Phlegm Accumulation)—a condition where metabolic waste stagnates in the body—nausea and indigestion can become more severe.
- Restoring Gastrointestinal Motility: We help the gastrointestinal functions, which have been artificially suppressed, return to a natural rhythm.
- Normalizing Metabolic Function: We reinforce vitality and balance hormones that may have been disrupted by the medication.
- Preventing Yo-yo Effect: Rather than simple fasting, we focus on increasing the body's basal metabolic rate to create a sustainable foundation for weight loss.
💡 Treatment Goal
The goal is not merely to suppress symptoms, but to restore the self-healing capacity of the gastrointestinal tract exhausted by medication, enabling the body to regulate weight naturally.
Please note that any adjustments to your current medication dosage or decisions regarding discontinuation must be discussed with your prescribing physician. Integrating TKM care during this process can help you adapt more comfortably or transition more smoothly.
Expert Verified
Dr. Yeonseung Choe
Chief Director
Last reviewed 2026.04.30