Weight Loss Medications
Wegovy/Ozempic (semaglutide) - Part of a class of medications called incretin-mimetics. They work by mimicking a hormone that naturally occurs in the body that regulates appetite, digestion, and metabolism (GLP-1). When fatty tissues become unhealthy you stop producing enough of this hormone, which is why it is such a profound tool for weight loss. Trials show that semaglutide is able to produce an average of 15% body weight reduction at 68-weeks, with many real world patients seeing far more. They require careful, expert dose titration and side effect monitoring for the greatest success. These medications come in easy to administer, once weekly pen injectors that deliver medicine into the fat just under the skin.
Mounjaro (terzepitide) - Another incretin-mimetic that contains two weight loss hormones rather than just one (GLP-1 and GIP). Early trials reveal an average of 20.9% body weight reduction at 72-weeks. Again, this needs careful monitoring and dose titration for greatest effects. It is similarly packaged in a pen injector, delivered once per week. Note - this medication has not yet received FDA-approval status for the specific use in weight loss.
Qsymia (Phentermine-Topirimate) - This is an oral medication that works by decreasing appetite and increasing the amount of energy the body uses. This medication needs careful monitoring for side effects and dose titration.
Contrave (Naltrexone-Bupropion) - This is an oral medication that targets the brain to reduce cravings and decrease the urge to eat. Dose titration is again very important and needs careful monitoring.
Phentermine and other sympathomimetics - These medications work to suppress appetite and have been around the longest. These are oral medications with several different durations of action. Dose titration is much simpler, but side effect monitoring is important.
*This is just a partial list of the many impressive medications to supplement weight loss. Additionally, there are many more medications undergoing trials as we speak!