Calorie-managed diets and exercise have been the mainstay approach of commercial weight loss programs for decades. But as semaglutide weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and others become household names, people trying to lose weight are exploring adding medications to their weight loss toolkit.
Are Weight Loss Medications Effective?
“Obesity is a condition that affects more than 40% of our adult population and when factoring in candidacy for medications, such as those with overweight and a weight-related condition, the numbers get even higher,” says Anthony Jay Millard, M.D., a board-certified obesity medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He notes the need for an “all-hands-on-deck approach” with providers across the healthcare spectrum.
Many providers are familiar with the latest weight-loss medications, but not all individuals are candidates for these medications, says Dr. Millard.
Popular Weight Loss Medications
Ozempic
Ozempic is an FDA-approved medication for treating type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that acts like the GLP-1 hormone released in the digestive tract when eating. This weight-regulating hormone “signals fullness to the brain, delays stomach emptying and lowers blood sugar,” says Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at the medically-assisted weight loss program, Found, and practicing endocrinologist in New York City.
The medication is available by prescription only and is used as a weekly injection to help with blood sugar management and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with type 2 diabetes. Since semaglutide has shown effectiveness in reducing body weight for those with overweight or obesity, Ozempic may also aid in weight loss. However, Ozempic itself is not FDA approved to treat weight loss alone in patients without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy
Wegovy is another injectable medication made with semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic). It’s approved by the FDA for weight management in people with a body mass index or BMI of 27 who have another weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, or those with a BMI of 30 or higher. In recent research, semaglutide showed a higher effectiveness for weight loss than older medications, with the potential for a 15% weight loss after 68 weeks in adults with a BMI of 30 or greater[1].
Like Ozempic, Wegovy is also prescription only and taken once a week.
Saxenda
Saxenda, like Ozempic and Wegovy, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it’s made with liraglutide (instead of semaglutide). The medication is also prescription-only and FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity in people aged 12 and older who weigh more than 132 pounds or adults with BMI of 30 or higher. While liraglutide may be slightly less effective than semaglutide, it’s still a potent weight loss medication that could lead to up to an 8% weight loss, says Raoul Manalac, M.D., the senior director of clinical experience at RO, a company offering at-home medical weight loss treatment.
Liraglutide works by helping to decrease appetite and slow the emptying of the stomach, which causes feelings of fullness and leads to lower calorie intake.
Saxenda is a daily injection, while Ozempic and Wegovy are weekly injections.
Weight Loss Medications vs. Fat Burning Pills
Weight loss medications and fat burning pills are vastly different. Fat burning pills and other “quick-fix” weight loss supplements are typically sold over the counter and are not regulated in the same way as weight loss medications. Unlike fat burning pills, weight loss medications require a prescription from a healthcare provider and have been studied extensively for their ability to promote weight management when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
How to Choose the Best Weight Loss Medication for You
“It is critical that patients remember that these medications are not a magic bullet for weight loss and long-term weight management,” notes Dr. Millard. Nutrition, physical activity, stress and sleep are all critical parts of an optimal weight management plan, he explains, noting that the larger social environment plays a role, too.
With weight issues being so complicated, he points out, “if a provider is suggesting that these medications are a quick fix or only needed for short-term use, that would be a red flag that the chronic nature of obesity is not being considered.” If this occurs, he suggests you find a different provider.
Many people stay on weight loss medications for a few months while working on their diet and exercise routines. Others stay on them indefinitely. Regardless of what you decide medication-wise, exercise and nutrition are essential components of any healthy life, and even small changes can make a big difference over time.
Whether you’re interested in trying weight loss medication, mulling over the idea of joining a commercial weight loss plan or are interested in combining the two, your first stop should be your doctor’s office. Your doctor can discuss the pros and cons of starting medication and help choose the best weight loss medication plan for you.
Sources
Footnotes
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384(11):989-1002.