What is the Best Injection for Weight Loss?
Introduction
Chronic obesity is a complex medical condition caused by multiple factors that influence how the body uses and stores energy from food. New research has reframed how doctors understand and treat obesity. Treating the condition is vital to improving patients’ long-term physical health.
Weight loss injections are a transformative treatment. Many of the latest weight loss medications mimic the effects of digestive hormones that regulate appetite and digestion. This helps individuals safely lose weight and keep it off. Learning about weight loss medications and their benefits will help you make the best decision for your weight loss journey.
Types of Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections are FDA-approved medications that are only safe when prescribed by a licensed physician. Your doctor must conduct a consultation to rule out potential contraindications that would make the injections ineffective or harmful in your case.
Ozempic
Ozempic is an FDA-approved type 2 diabetes medication that doctors use off-label for weight loss. Known as semaglutide, Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) agonist that produces similar effects as the naturally occurring hormone. It works by slowing digestion to leave the stomach fuller for longer, and it engages with the brain to suppress appetite.
Doctors discovered semaglutide's effectiveness as an obesity treatment when they noted significant weight loss in patients with type 2 diabetes who used Ozempic. These findings led to in-depth studies that confirmed semaglutide's applicability for managing obesity. Patients inject Ozempic once a week.
Wegovy
Wegovy is another weekly self-injectable form of semaglutide that is FDA-approved to treat obesity. The medication is available in higher doses than Ozempic but produces its weight-loss effects by acting as a GLP-1 agonist.
Wegovy is safe for long-term use, though its side effects can be more pronounced than Ozempic’s. Semaglutide medications engage the brain region that manages appetite and cravings to limit patients’ caloric intake.
Saxenda
Saxenda, also called liraglutide, is another GLP-1 agonist that helps patients lose weight by slowing digestion and suppressing appetite. The sense of fullness it induces generally lowers the amount of calories the user consumes.
Others
Tirzepatide, another type 2 diabetes treatment, is available for weight loss under the brand name Mounjaro. It acts as a GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) agonist. Mounjaro is one of the newest FDA-approved weight loss medications on the market.
Why is Ozempic the Best Injection for Weight Loss?
Ozempic is the best injection for weight loss because it has a proven track record of success. The medication helps you lose weight and keep it off, and it’s safe for long-term use. Treating obesity improves patients’ health by reducing their odds of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
A systematic review of eight studies concluded that injectable semaglutide reduced weight by 10.09%, BMI by 3.71, and waist circumference by 8.28 cm. The changes in body composition patients can achieve with Ozempic are linked with improved cardiac health markers, including lower glucose and cholesterol levels.
Doctors understand the nuances of treating their patients with Ozempic. Well-established protocols allow them to modify their patients’ dosages over several weeks. This tiered process reduces the extent of side effects to promote treatment tolerance and long-term success.
Risks and Side Effects of Ozempic
The primary side effects of Ozempic are gastrointestinal. They range from mild to moderate and often dissipate over time. Their severity varies by person based on patients’ medical history and biochemistry. One recent study noted that less than 5% of patients discontinued semaglutide due to gastrointestinal events.
It's important to talk to your doctor about any side effects. They can offer advice on managing them. The most common side effects of Ozempic include:
Abdominal pain
Burping
Constipation
Diarrhea
Heartburn
Injection site redness or tenderness
Nausea
Vomiting
Less common but serious side effects include low blood sugar, which could lead to fatigue, dizziness, and fainting. Ozempic can also cause visual changes, elevated heart rate, or severe abdominal pain. Talking with your doctor is the best way to rule out pre-existing conditions that could increase your risk of developing severe side effects.
Doctors start patients on a low dose of Ozempic and increase the dose over several weeks to allow their bodies to adjust.
The most significant risk of Ozempic is thyroid tumors. Patients with a history of thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not use Ozempic.
What Makes a Good Candidate for Ozempic?
Good candidates for Ozempic have a body mass index (BMI) of 27 and a weight-related medical condition, like high cholesterol or hypertension. Patients with BMIs over 30 are also good candidates for Ozempic. The effectiveness of the medication at suppressing appetite makes it ill-suited to patients with lower BMIs.
The best way to determine your candidacy for Ozempic is by meeting with an experienced weight loss doctor. They’ll be able to assess your medical history and rule out possible contraindications.
Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding are not good candidates for Ozempic. Patients with a history of pancreatitis, digestive conditions, kidney problems, or diabetic retinopathy may not be viable candidates either.
Combining Ozempic with a balanced diet and exercise routine will maximize the benefits of the medication and improve your overall wellness.
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September 20, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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