Weight loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro have become the darlings of the pharmaceutical world, but with great popularity comes great scrutiny - and a growing list of alleged side effects that could make anyone think twice before injecting. This week, researchers added hair loss to the mix, suggesting GLP-1 medications might be linked to a thinning mane. But separating studied science from internet hearsay is like trying to find a salad at a fast-food joint: possible, but requires effort.

Let's start with the gut. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation - the classics. These are so well-documented in clinical trials that they're listed as 'very common' in patient leaflets. Experts say they're a direct result of the drugs slowing down digestion, like putting a traffic jam in your intestines. The good news? Manufacturers insist they usually fade over time.

Eyes are next. Last year, a study found that people with diabetes on GLP-1 drugs face double the risk of age-related macular degeneration. There's also non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, a condition that can cause sudden, permanent sight loss. Pharmaceutical companies acknowledge this as a possible side-effect - Wegovy's leaflet mentions it - but experts stress it's very rare. So, rare enough that you probably shouldn't panic, but common enough that you should maybe not stare at the sun either.

Unexpected pregnancies have also been reported, leading to recommendations that women pair these jabs with effective contraception. The theory is that GLP-1 medications might interfere with oral contraceptives or boost fertility through weight loss. But conclusive research is scant, partly because pregnant women were excluded from initial trials. The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency advises against taking these drugs during pregnancy or when trying to conceive, citing insufficient safety data. Also, unplanned pregnancies happen with oral contraceptives anyway, so maybe don't blame the jab entirely.

Then there's the infamous 'Ozempic face' - sunken eyes, wrinkles, sagging skin. Social media is full of dramatic before-and-afters, but surgeons note this is a consequence of rapid weight loss, not the drug itself. Same goes for 'Ozempic foot,' a bony appearance and foot pain linked to loss of fat padding. One study even found that sleeve gastrectomy led to a decrease in shoe size a year later. So, if your feet start looking like skeletons, it's probably the weight loss, not the medication.

Finally, hair loss. This week's study tied GLP-1 use to hair loss in adults with type 2 diabetes, but experts suspect it's due to rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies, not the drugs themselves. The same thing happens after bariatric surgery or crash dieting. The good news? The hair loss appears to be the reversible kind - telogen effluvium - so your locks might bounce back. Just don't expect a full mane by next Tuesday.