Once upon a time, if someone told you they had a medication that could genuinely help you lose weight, you might expect its scientific name to be spelled ‘s’, ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘m’.
Not so. Accessible, affordable, scientifically backed weight loss medication might seem too good to be true. It is in fact a reality.
There’s no substitute for a good diet and regular activity. But for people struggling to lose weight, prescription weight loss medication like semaglutide, liraglutide, or tirzepatide is a complete game changer.
Gone are the days where the only other option was considering weight loss surgery. But how do these treatments work, and which – if any – could be right for you?
Liraglutide
Invented by Lotte Bjerre Knudsen for Danish company Novo Nordisk, liraglutide was the first GLP-1 mediation developed around 2010 as an anti-diabetic drug.
You might have heard of it under the name Saxenda, and it was approved as a weight loss medication in 2014. It’s prescribed for people with a body mass index over 30, or over 27 if they have another weight-related condition.
GLP-1s work by mimicking the hormone that tells your body to produce more insulin as your blood sugar rises after eating.
Obviously, this is great for people managing diabetes, but it also makes you feel less hungry and stay full for longer.
Studies found the medication works best when it is in your system 24 hours a day, so liraglutide is taken as a daily injection. It’s very easy to take and can be taken on vacation with you.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide, which you might know as Wegovy, was invented by the same scientists at the same Danish organization as a longer acting alternative to liraglutide.
Instead of needing to remember to take it every day, semaglutide is taken weekly. For many women, this makes it a more convenient option. It’s also been shown that semaglutide is even more effective than liraglutide.
It was first approved by the FDA in 2017 and released as a treatment for diabetes in the US under the name Ozempic shortly afterwards. In 2021 the higher dose version, Wegovy, was approved as an injectable anti-obesity medication.
While the success stories surrounding semaglutide might seem miraculous, it’s important to remember this is not a miracle cure.
It’s intended as a long-term treatment, and when you stop taking it there’s a good chance you will regain weight. So semaglutide is worth considering when other factors, like the onset of menopause, are stopping you getting started with other weight-loss strategies.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, which you might see sold as Zepbound or Mounjaro, is a relative newcomer to the GLP-1 scene.
It was approved as a treatment for diabetes in 2022 and signed off as a weight loss aid towards the end of 2023.
Like semaglutide it is taken weekly via injection, making it a convenient medication. Some studies comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide have shown it to be slightly more effective than its predecessors.
This might make it seem the most attractive option, but you should bear in mind one or two health considerations. Tirzepatide is not suitable for people with thyroid conditions, or a family history of them.
Naltrexone-Bupropion
There are alternatives to GLP-1 medications like liraglutide, semaglutide, or tirzepatide.
Naltrexone-Bupropion, which you might see sold as Contrave or under several other names, is taken orally as a pill instead of as an injection. If you really don’t like needles, this might be worth asking about.
Instead of affecting the receptors that manage your blood sugar, it reduces your appetite and decreases your food cravings.
It was first developed to help manage chronic obesity, not as an anti-diabetic, and is prescribed for people with a BMI over 30 or over 27 with other weight-related health conditions.
These medications do offer remarkable new ways to tackle weight loss challenges, which is particularly important as many women face extra challenges when trying to lose weight which can cause anxiety.
But it’s important to remember none of these medications are an alternative to other important weight loss tactics. They must be used in combination with a healthy diet and a regular activity.
