If you’re struggling to shed those stubborn pounds, you may have come across the latest weight loss injections like Ozempic and Zepbound. These meds promise effortless weight loss, but do they live up to the hype?
If you’re curious about weight loss injections and want to know more before talking to your doctor, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore what weight loss injections are, who they may be suitable for, and which weight loss med is the most effective.
What are Weight Loss Injections?
Weight loss injections work by mimicking the hormones in your body that control appetite and digestion. By replicating the effects of these hormones, weight loss injections can help you feel full sooner, stay full longer, and reduce cravings—ultimately making it easier to cut calories and shed pounds. 1 2
Two of the most popular prescription weight loss injections today are semaglutides and tirzepatides. These injections mimic hormones in your gut that signal to your brain that you're full, which helps reduce appetite and calorie intake. While the specific hormone replicated differs between semaglutide and tirzepatide, both have been shown in studies to lead to significant weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes. 1 2
The trick to success with any weight loss injection is understanding that it is meant to supplement—not replace—the hard work of improving your diet and exercise habits. Weight loss injections alone will not magically melt away the pounds. But when used alongside healthy lifestyle changes and under medical supervision, they can be an effective tool to help you on your weight loss journey.
Semaglutides
Semaglutides mimic the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that helps control blood sugar and appetite. 1 There are three semaglutide meds approved for diabetes and weight management in the U.S.
- Ozempic is an injectable semaglutide that, along with diet and exercise, improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. For those with diabetes and heart disease, it also lowers cardiovascular risks.
- Rybelsus is an oral semaglutide tablet that enhances glycemic control when combined with lifestyle changes for adults with type 2 diabetes.
- Wegovy is an injectable semaglutide for chronic weight management. It's approved for obese adults and children over 12 years old. Overweight adults with weight-related health issues can use Wegovy too. 3
While each semaglutide is approved for specific conditions, doctors may prescribe any of them off-label for weight loss based on your medical history and symptoms. 4 This is because all semaglutides mimic the effects of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps weight management in the following ways:
- They slow down stomach emptying after meals. This helps control portions and cuts calories.
- Semaglutides interact with the brain's appetite signaling pathways, leading to increased feelings of fullness and decreased hunger. 1
Tirzepatides
What makes tirzepatide unique is that it targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, 2 providing more powerful benefits for weight management compared to semaglutides that only act on GLP-1 receptors. By mimicking these hormones, tirzepatide helps with weight management in the following ways:
- It slows down stomach emptying after meals: This helps with portion control and calorie management.
- It interacts with the brain’s appetite signaling pathways: This decreases feelings of hunger. 2
The FDA has approved two tirzepatide injections:
- Mounjaro is a weekly injection for lowering blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes, used along with diet and exercise. 5
- Zepbound is a weekly injection for weight management when used in combination with lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and physical activity. 2
Who’s Eligible for Weight Loss Injections?
Not everyone is cut out for weight loss injections. To qualify, you typically need to meet one of these requirements:
- Your BMI (body mass index) hits 30 or higher.
- Your BMI reaches 27 or above, AND you have at least one weight-related health issue like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or heart disease. 1 2
BMI uses your height and weight to estimate body fat. The higher your BMI, the more body fat you likely have. With BMI, doctors sort people into these weight classes:
- Below 18.5 = Underweight
- 18.5 to 24.9 = Healthy
- 25 to 29.9 = Overweight
- 30 and up = Obese 6
BMI ranges serve as guides, but your doctor makes the final call. They'll review your medical history first to decide if weight loss shots are a fit.
What is the Best Injection for Weight Loss?
A review of 28 clinical trials suggests that tirzepatide provides greater health benefits than injectable semaglutide. The analysis, which included over 23,622 participants, found that tirzepatide led to improved blood sugar control and more substantial weight loss over 12 weeks compared to semaglutide. 7
- The maximum dose of tirzepatide (15 mg) lowered HbA1c levels by 1.96% on average, compared to a 1.59% reduction with the maximum dose of semaglutide (2 mg).
- Participants taking the highest dose of tirzepatide shed 21 lbs. on average, compared to 10.9 lbs. for those on the maximum semaglutide dose. 7
The verdict? Both tirzepatide and injectable semaglutide can substantially lower blood sugar and excess weight. But tirzepatide appears to be the more powerful option. If you're looking to maximize weight loss benefits, tirzepatide may be your best bet. However, have an open discussion with your doctor to decide which medication aligns with your health history and goals.
Conclusion
If you’ve been putting in the effort to eat right and exercise, but the scale still isn’t budging, there may be other options to help give you an extra boost. New medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide are showing promising results for weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.
Talk to your doctor about whether prescription weight loss injections are right for you. For some people, these drugs can be the key to overcoming biological hurdles or plateaus and achieving meaningful weight loss.
The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical conditions, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
