GLP-1 medications for weight loss have gained massive traction over the past few years. The effectiveness of these drugs and the solid science behind their action made them very popular among non-diabetic individuals.
Taking some random diet pills without clear information about their sourcing and manufacturing can lead to dire consequences. This is why many people are turning to GLP-1 medications. After all, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved them for the treatment of diabetes, as well as weight loss.
In this article, we will cover several GLP-1 medications to see how they promote weight loss. Of course, will only use evidence-based information to support our claims.
What are GLP-1 medications?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are commonly prescribed to treat type II diabetes. These drugs are very effective at reducing blood glucose levels. Researchers also found that GLP-1 medications improve cardiovascular and renal health.
There are several types of GLP-1 medications on the market. However, they mostly affect the body the same way, with a few notable differences.
The main factor that differentiates GLP-1 medications is their half-life (i.e., how long they stay in your body).
We have two types:
Short-acting GLP-1
Short-acting GLP-1 medications have a half-life of around one day. This makes them ideal for post-meal sugar control.
There are three short-acting GLP-1 medications approved in the United States:
⦁ Exenatide (Byetta)
⦁ Lixisenatide (Adlyxin)
⦁ Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus)
Long-acting GLP-1
Long-acting GLP-1 medications have a half-life that could reach up to seven days.
There are four long-acting GLP-1 medications approved in the United States:
⦁ Dulaglutide (Trulicity)
⦁ Exenatide extended-release (Bydureon)
⦁ Liraglutide (Victoza)
⦁ Semaglutide (Ozempic)
How do GLP-1 medications cause weight loss?
GLP-1 medications target several metabolic pathways to lower blood sugar levels. The good news is that these same actions could potentially promote weight loss.
Let us briefly discuss these mechanisms:
Slow down gastric emptying – Slowing down digestion will directly prevent post-meal glucose spikes. There is plenty of research that links glucose and insulin spikes to weight gain.
Induce satiety – GLP-1 medications seem to induce feelings of fullness rapidly after food ingestion. Decreased appetite is indispensable to stopping food cravings and promoting weight loss.
Increase insulin production – GLP-1 might help the pancreas secrete more insulin. This is helpful because overweight and obese individuals have defective insulin production.
Prevent gluconeogenesis – Gluconeogenesis is the process of making new glucose molecules by hepatocytes (i.e., liver cells). Limiting the rate of this reaction stops future weight gain.
GLP-1 medications and weight loss
The mechanisms we covered above all contribute to the weight loss-promoting properties of GLP-1 medications.
The GLP-1 molecules that your body produces last less than 2 minutes in the blood. This is because an enzyme called DPP4 degrades them rapidly. That’s why they have minimal effects on weight loss.
Novo Nordisk produces liraglutide (Victoza) and semaglutide (Ozempic) for the treatment of type II diabetes. The FDA approved both drugs for this purpose. It also approved them for weight loss.
Here is the timeline of approval:
In 2015, the FDA approved the use of liraglutide 3 mg for weight loss. This is the first GLP-1 drug that gets approved for weight loss issues. Typically, patients need to take 0.6 mg of liraglutide once a day during the first week. After that, the dose is weekly increased until the target dose of 3 mg per day is reached.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, received FDA approval in June 2021. The initial dose is 0.25 mg per day during the first week. After that, it is gradually boosted until we reach 2.4 mg per day.
The chart below demonstrates the degree of weight loss seen in patients who took Ozempic and Saxenda for 52 weeks:
The data is from a large clinical trial that included 957 non-diabetic participants with weight issues. As you can see, Ozempic 0.4 mg intake for one year was enough to cause a 14% weight loss.
Note that slow and steady weight loss is always preferable over rapid weight loss. According to one study, up to 95% of people who lose weight rapidly will gain it back within 12 months. Today, researchers advocate for slow but steady weight loss. Therefore, the 14% weight loss induced by Ozempic 0.4 mg is an excellent rate.
What’s next?
Tirzepatide is the newest GLP-1 medication on the block. It goes by the brand name Mounjaro. This drug received FDA approval in 2022 to treat type II diabetes.
However, researchers noticed its significant effects on weight loss when conducting clinical trials. Participants lost 20% of their body weight.
Due to these incredible effects, regulators granted Mounjaro a fast-track designation to review it as a potential therapy for obesity.
What GLP-1 drug is best for you?
If you want to take GLP-1 drugs, it’s important to understand the differences between the available options and their specific use cases.
Here is a general guideline to choose the right GLP-1 drug for you:
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Wegovy is for long-term weight management. Overweight (BMI ≥ 27) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) individuals as well as those with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol) could benefit from this drug.
Wegovy is approved for weight loss in individuals without type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Individuals with type 2 diabetes who also need to lose weight could take Ozempic. Although its main use is for diabetes, many patients experience significant weight loss as a secondary benefit.
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
Overweight (BMI ≥ 27) and obese (BMI ≥ 30) individuals as well as those with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol) could benefit from Saxenda.
It is a higher dose of liraglutide (distinct from its diabetes counterpart – Victoza).
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
Individuals with type 2 diabetes who want to lose weight and control their blood sugar levels might benefit from Mounjaro. As we mentioned above, this drug is on fast-track designation to get approval for weight loss.
Specific Recommendations For Our Readers
For those without type 2 diabetes
Wegovy – Best for chronic weight management in obese or overweight individuals.
For individuals with type 2 diabetes
Ozempic – Suitable for those who need glycemic control and could benefit from weight loss.
Mounjaro – An excellent option for comprehensive metabolic benefits.
For weight management without diabetes
Saxenda – Ideal for those with obesity who also need to lose weight.
When it comes to gender and GLP-1 drugs, there is no definitive answer to the differences. One study reported that male and female responses to GLP-1 drugs differ in terms of weight loss and gastrointestinal side effects. For example, women may experience greater weight loss compared to men. At the same time, women are more likely to report side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
These differences may be due to sex-specific pharmacodynamics or hormonal profiles. However, clinical trials often lack sufficient sex-specific data.
Our Takeaway
GLP-1 medications are effective drugs that help millions of diabetic patients all over the world. Recent evidence suggests that these medications can be useful in promoting weight loss. As a result, GLP-1 receptor agonists could play a preventive role.
We hope that this article managed to highlight the role of GLP-1 medications in the promotion of weight loss and how we can use them in clinical practice.
If you have any questions, concerns, or personal experiences with GLP-1 medications, please do not hesitate to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
