Weight Loss Injections: Safe? Affordable?

This piece was examined by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.

Losing weight can be difficult, even for individuals who maintain a healthy diet and engage in regular physical activity. Medications for weight loss administered through injections — commonly referred to as GLP-1 and GIP shots — may provide assistance when lifestyle adjustments alone are insufficient.

Weight loss injections are generally regarded as safe and efficient for individuals struggling with obesity or extra weight. However, similar to other medications, they may lead to undesired side effects — such as nausea, constipation, and heartburn — which usually fade after a few weeks.

Learn all the important information you need to know before opting for weight loss injections.

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What Are Fat Loss Injections?

Weight loss injections are medical treatments that require a doctor’s prescription and are given via a tiny needle into the skin to assist in losing weight and maintaining it.

Medications that can be administered through injection and have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) forobesity and overweight include:

Wegovy (active ingredient semaglutide)
Saxenda (active ingredient liraglutide)
Zepbound (active ingredient tirzepatide)

There are also injections that have been approved fortype 2 diabetesthat include the same active components. These medications are occasionally used for purposes not officially approved to aid in weight reduction.

If a drug is used in an off-label manner, it indicates that the FDA has approved it for a specific purpose, yet a medical professional prescribes it for a different condition. This is a lawful and frequently encountered approach with numerous medications.

Diabetes medications approved for use outside their intended purpose to aid in weight reduction include:

Ozempic (semaglutide)
Victoza (liraglutide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

Most diabetes and weight loss injections are based on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.

These drugs imitate the GLP-1 hormone, which is produced in your digestive system after you consume food. The GLP-1 hormone islinked to:

Reduced appetite
Feelings of fullness
The creation of insulin, which reduces blood sugar (glucose) levels

Even though these medications have demonstrated potential for weight loss, they are not a substitute for proper nutrition and physical activity. Weight loss injections are intended to be used in combination with positive lifestyle modifications, such as adhering to anutritious eating plan and getting plenty of exercise.

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Kinds of Weight Loss Injections

Injections for weight loss are administeredeitherOnce a week or once a day — either method allows you to administer the injections at home.

Several types of weight loss injections are available. Below, we will discuss the most frequently used ones.

Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections

You may be familiar with one brand of semaglutide: Ozempic. Additional brand names for semaglutide are Wegovy and Rybelsus (the latter is taken by mouth every day, whereas the other two are administered via injection once a week).

Ozempic is approved by the FDA for managing type 2 diabetes, although it is occasionally used in a different way to assist with weight reduction. Wegovy, conversely, has received approval for weight management in individuals who are obese or those who are overweight and have a related health issue, such as hypertension.hypertension).

Ozempic and Wegovy belong to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. Theymimicthe hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1, which influences the areas of the brain that control hunger.

Ozempic received approval from the FDA in2017, while Wegovy received approval in 2021.

Semaglutide injections that are compounded have the same active component as Ozempic and Wegovy. The primary distinction is that they are not approved by the FDA. Additionally, they tend to be less expensive compared to their brand-name counterparts.

Semaglutide that has been compounded is typically recommended for patients requiring a specific dose or form that is not available in the standard commercial products.

Via Hers, the cost of compounded semaglutide begins at $199 per month when opting for a 12-month plan that requires full payment upfront.

*Compounded semaglutide is a a compounded product that has not received FDA approval. The FDA does not evaluate compounded products for safety, efficacy, or quality.

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Liraglutide Weight Loss Injections

Liraglutideis the main component in Saxenda and Victoza.

Similar to Ozempic and Wegovy, liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist administered through injection that helps reduce appetite and manage hunger-related hormones. A key distinction is that liraglutide injections are given once each day rather than once per week.

Saxenda is FDA-approvedfor managing weight in individuals who are obese. Victoza has received FDA approvalto treatType 2 diabetes, although it is occasionally prescribed for purposes other than its primary indication.

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Tirzepatide Weight Loss Injections

Tirzepatide is the main component found in Mounjaro and Zepbound.

Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is FDA-approvedas a treatment for diabetes. It can assist individuals with type 2 diabetes in managing their blood sugar levels. Mounjaro is occasionally used off-label for weight reduction, whereas Zepbound isFDA-approved for weight loss.

In addition to functioning as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide also acts as a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. It’sknown as a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist.

In simpler terms, this drug affects two receptors in the body, while semaglutide injections only affect one.

The GLP-1 receptor agonist part functions in the same manner as it does in semaglutide: byreducing hungerand encouraging a sense of satiety.

The portion of the GIP receptor agonist functions in a very similar way, imitating the GIP hormone, which is also released following a meal totriggerInsulin creation. It is also associated with sensations of satiety.

Combined, GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists can result in decreased hunger, leading to lower food consumption — as stated in an Eli Lilly-funded studystudy(the producer of Mounjaro and Zepbound). And at the risk of pointing out the obvious, these effects aid in weight reduction.

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How to Obtain Weight Loss Injections

You will require a doctor’s prescription to obtain injections that aid in weight reduction. It is possible to obtain a prescription from a medical professional either in person or via specific online health services.

Although the procedure for obtaining GLP-1 injections for weight loss differs among providers, they will usually ask you some fundamental questions and calculate yourBMI (body mass index).

This computation is derived from your height and weight. It’s not flawless, but BMI can provide abasic ideabody fat percentage and whether an individual is classified as overweight or obese.

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Are Weight Loss Injections Safe?

GLP-1 medications that are compounded are drugs prepared by a compounding pharmacy, which include the active components found in branded versions of these medicines.

Compounding pharmacies are not subject to the same federal regulations as those that produce FDA-approved drugs — they are instead monitored by state boards. This does not necessarily mean they are unsafe; it simply indicates that the FDA cannot verify the effectiveness of compounded medications.

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Potential Side Effects of Weight Loss Injections

Although GLP-1 medications are generally safe for the majority, there are certain side effects to be aware of. The most frequent adverse effects relate to the digestive system, especially feelings of nausea and loose stools. You might also encounter vomiting and difficulty with bowel movements.

Overfive percent of individuals encounter nausea and diarrhea while taking semaglutide and liraglutide. These side effects also impactup to10 percent of individuals using tirzepatide. Additional potential side effects of GLP-1s are:

Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Indigestion
Slight increase in heart rate
Sensation of itching or redness at the point of injection

Some individuals find relief from nausea, diarrhea, and headaches using non-prescription medicines and natural treatments such as ginger tea during the initial few weeks as they get used to the medication. There are also prescribed anti-nausea medications that you can talk about with your doctor.

There is also a possibility that weight loss injections may lead to more severe health complications. While such problems are uncommon, they can occur.

Some risks can include:

Reaction to the medication due to allergies
Gallbladder disease
Kidney issues
Pancreatitis
Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
Thyroid cancer

Weight loss injections come with specific restrictions, which means medical professionals might not suggest them for certain individuals.

Liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide might not bea suitable choice if you have:

Type 1 diabetes
Diabetic retinopathy
A history of pancreatitis.
Gallstones or other conditions affecting the gallbladder.
Kidney disease
A family or personal history of thyroid tumors, particularly medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)

These medications mayincrease the likelihood of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Clinical studies haveshownthat they may lead to an increase in thyroid C-cell tumors in animals, but this finding has not been observed in human studies.

There is limited research available regarding the safety of weight loss injections during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. In certain situations, a healthcare professional may decide to prescribe a medication if the potential benefits are greater than the possible risks.treating diabetes, for example).

Additionally, because weight loss injections slow down the emptying of the stomach, they could influence how your body absorbs and handles medications, such ascontraceptive pills. Consult with a healthcare provider about your current medications, as it may be required to switch to a different form of contraception (such as)condoms) while undergoing weight loss injections.

One thing to consider is that, similar to other weight loss approaches, weight may return after undergoing weight loss injections.

In a 2022 studySupported by Novo Nordisk, participants regained most of the weight they had lost after discontinuing semaglutide for a year. On average, they regained two-thirds of their previous weight loss, underscoring the significance of continuous treatment and maintaining lifestyle adjustments.

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What Is the Most Effective Injection for Losing Weight at Home?

There is no single most effective injection for weight loss that is suitable for long-term use at home. The optimal weight loss treatment for you will vary based on your health, body type, and daily habits.

With that in mind, there is some research that compares different weight loss injections.

For instance, one 2022 trialExamined the weight reduction outcomes of Wegovy versus Saxenda.

A medical study examined 338 adults with obesity or being overweight, but without diabetes. The individuals were provided with guidance on nutrition and exercise, along with either Wegovy or Saxenda injections.

The research indicated that weekly Wegovy injections proved more successful for weight reduction compared to daily Saxenda injections. On average, participants shed 15.8 percent of their body weight with Wegovy and 6.4 percent with Saxenda over a period of 68 weeks.

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What About Tirzepatide?

A 40-week trialfunded by Eli Lilly examined the impact of tirzepatide compared to semaglutide in nearly 1,900 individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Even though the primary aim of the study was not to assess weight reduction, the researchers observed that individuals taking tirzepatide experienced greater weight loss compared to those on semaglutide.

If you’re curious about potential side effects, the situation is somewhat different.

The same research conducted by Eli Lilly also revealed thatfive to seven percentA significant number of patients who took tirzepatide encountered severe adverse effects, compared to just 3% of those who received semaglutide.

Nevertheless, additional research is needed prior to reaching an official agreement on which weight loss injection is both safest and most effective. As always, medications can be processed differently by various individuals.

Another aspect to consider in your choice is the cost.

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What Is the Price of Weight Loss Injections?

Usually, a one-month supply of branded weight loss injections costs:

Ozempic: $1,075
Wegovy: $1,450
Mounjaro: $1,163
Victoza: $590
Saxenda: $1,450
Zepbound: $1,170

These costs may differ based on the pharmacy you go to and the amount of medication you are given.

For instance, with Hers, you can obtain compounded semaglutide for as low as $199 per month when you commit to a 12-month plan paid in advance.

Here are a few factors to consider when evaluating expenses.

First, weight loss medicationsare intended to be used on a regular basis, so consider your long-term plans and health objectives.

Second, health insurance policies seldom coverweight loss injections. Many insurance providers do not yet cover the latest weight loss drugs, such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. However, they may provide coverage for medications used to treat diabetes.

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Weight Loss Injection Alternatives

There are science-backed alternatives for weight loss injections. These involve oral medications that are used in an unapproved manner to aid weight loss when combined with healthy lifestyle modifications.

Weight Loss by Hers provides access to medication kits that consist of a variety of pills tailored to address your specific requirements. Oral medication kits might include:

Bupropion. Bupropion is a type of antidepressant drug that could aid in losing weight.
Metformin. Metforminis utilized for managing type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and weight issues. Although it is generally regarded as safe, up to30 percentMany individuals who use metformin may encounter digestive issues such as feeling sick, throwing up, and loose stools.
Topiramate.Topiramate is a medication used to control seizures that has been found to decrease hunger and support weight reduction.
Naltrexone. Naltrexone is a medication that has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, designed to help decrease desires in individuals who have a past of drinking alcohol or using drugs.
Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is a crucial nutrient for human well-being, which can aid in preventing a deficiency of this essential element.

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Last Impressions on Weight Loss Injections

L shedding pounds can be a difficult and intricate journey, particularly if you have a medical condition that impacts your metabolic rate.

Due to the extensive media attention on drugs such as Ozempic, Victoza, and Mounjaro, it’s understandable that there are numerous inquiries and worries about how these medications function.

Here are some key points to consider regarding type 2 diabetes drugs that aid in weight loss and weight loss injections:

Weight loss injections are secure and efficient when administered according to the recommended guidelines.GLP-1 medications are typically recommended in combination with a balanced diet and consistent physical activity.
Some injectable medications have received FDA approval for weight reduction, while others are utilized in an off-label manner for the same purpose.Weight loss drugs approved by the FDA are Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Injectable treatments for type 2 diabetes that contain the same active components are occasionally used for weight control. These consist of Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
These injections function by imitating hormones that decrease hunger.Both semaglutide and liraglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists, while tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. They all function by reducing appetite and supporting better dietary choices.
There are potential side effects associated with weight loss injections that you should know about.Nausea and diarrhea often occur when using weight loss injections. Less common (yet more severe) health complications may involve kidney problems and pancreatitis.

Every medicine can cause unwanted side effects. A medical expert can assist in identifying which weight loss drugs will be most secure for you.

If you need additional assistance, we can help you connect with a medical professional to discuss possible options.

Related:

Proven methods to rebalance female hormones for shedding pounds
Can coffee influence Ozempic’s effectiveness for weight loss? What specialists recommend

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This piece first was published onForhers.com and was syndicated by Muara Digital Team.org