Understanding what they do and how they may affect you
Many people will have heard of newer injectable or tablet medicines used to help with weight loss or to manage diabetes. These include a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by helping the body feel full sooner, slowing digestion, and supporting safer blood sugar levels. They are now being prescribed very widely, often for several months or longer.
Because these medicines act mainly on the bowel, most of the information available relates to people without a stoma or to those with an ileostomy or colostomy. However, even with a urostomy, there are still some practical reasons why it can be helpful to understand how they work.
How GLP-1 medicines work
GLP-1 medicines slow the movement of food from the stomach into the gut. This means people feel satisfied after smaller portions. Over time this can lead to weight loss. Some people also notice nausea, changes in appetite, or that they drink less without realising.
Although these effects act on the bowel rather than the urinary system, the knock-on impact – particularly around hydration and body shape – can still be relevant for urostomates.
Why this can matter with a urostomy
Because a urostomy drains urine, GLP-1 drugs do not change the stoma output in the same way they might for someone passing stool through their stoma. However, they can still influence your routine in other ways:
- Weight loss can change the shape or softness of the tissue around your stoma, making an appliance that once fitted well feel different or lift at the edges.
- Reduced intake or dehydration can make urine darker or thicker and may increase the risk of crystals or infection around the stoma.
- Nausea or loss of appetite may affect how confidently you eat and drink, which can then influence hydration and general comfort.
- These effects are not harmful in themselves, but they are easier to manage when noticed early.
What to look out for
- A change in how your pouch sits or sticks to the skin
- Needing to change your pouch more often than usual
- Itching, redness, or soreness around the stoma
- Darker or thicker urine than normal
- A noticeable change in your body shape or weight
What you can do
- Take small, frequent drinks across the day
- Keep an eye on urine colour as a guide to hydration
- Ask for a review if your appliance feels less secure after weight change
- Let your stoma care nurse know if anything feels different or less predictable
- Do not stop your GLP-1 medicine without medical advice
In summary
GLP-1 medicines are now a common part of diabetes and weight management care. For urostomates, their main effects are indirect – through changes in hydration and body shape – rather than through urine output itself. Understanding these predictable changes means you can notice them early, adapt if needed, and continue treatment with confidence. Your stoma care nurse can advise on any adjustments to keep your appliance comfortable and secure.
For more information, or if anything in your routine has changed since starting GLP-1 medication, please contact your stoma care nurse, GP or the Urostomy Association for support and guidance.
- We would like to thank Paul Russell-Roberts, Stoma Nurse Specialist, for crafting this article.
