The recent trend of accessible and highly effective weight loss drugs has been making headlines all year. However, amidst concerns about high demands and shortage of supply, continuous research and developments are still needed. One of the latest studies involving weight loss drugs is Wegovy’s role in preventing dementia. Over 55 million people worldwide have dementia, and studies are examining how Wegovy — and its sister drug Ozempic — affects the “reward centers” of the brain. A Danish study found that type 2 diabetes patients taking semaglutide or liraglutide (another diabetes drug) have a lower incidence of dementia.
Two other clinical trials from 2021 are testing how daily oral doses of semaglutide can slow disease progression in people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Currently, drugs approved for Alzheimer’s treatment may lead to potentially life-threatening side effects such as bleeding in the brain. Therefore, scientists are actively looking for alternative strategies — such as semaglutide, found in anti-obesity medication. Still, it’s an exciting time of innovation in the medical weight loss industry.
Below, we’ll look at the various weight loss drugs available today and what breakthroughs can change weight loss treatment:
Weight loss drugs
Semaglutides like Wegovy and Ozempic are GLP-1 agonists that are effective for weight loss. The science behind GLP-1 was used as early as 2005 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 agonists work by activating receptors in the body that respond to GLP-1, a gut hormone that boosts the amount of insulin your body makes to bring your blood sugar back to normal. Patients who use GLP-1 agonists tend to feel less hungry, have fewer cravings and thoughts of food, and feel more full after and between meals. Studies have found that GLP-1 agonists can lead to an average of 15% body weight loss.
Of course, semaglutides are only one form of weight loss drug currently available and approved for weight loss treatment. Another approved weight loss drug is a combination drug of phentermine and topiramate, which activate hypothalamic stimulation to decrease appetite. Phentermine was introduced in the US in 1959 as an anorectic. However, compared to GLP-1 agonists like semaglutides, phentermine-topiramates — sold under the brand name Qsymia — seem to lead to more “modest” results. Additionally, researchers are concerned that the combination drug may cause adverse cardiovascular effects such as hypertension.
Most weight loss drugs today work by decreasing appetite or increasing feelings of fullness. While names like Wegovy dominate headlines and clinical trials, other drugs, such as bupropion-naltrexone (sold as Contrave) and liraglutides (sold as Saxenda), are approved for weight loss. As scientists and experts continue to conduct research and trials, we may see even more new weight-loss drugs on the market.
Who can get them?
You can’t just request weight loss drugs and be prescribed them – they’ll only be given to you in certain situations. These include if you haven’t been able to lose weight through diet and exercise, but you may have to ascertain what you are classed as; overweight vs obesity. If you’re overweight, you may struggle to get the medical weight loss drugs – a BMI between 27-30 is classed as overweight, and if you have that, combined with high blood pressure or diabetes, then you may get the treatment. However, if you have a BMI of over 30, which is classed as obese, then you will find it easier to get a health professional to prescribe the treatment.
More new breakthroughs
As discussed, new weight loss drugs are constantly being researched and developed. Data from the CDC states that more than 40% of Americans are obese, leading to a strong demand for treatments to reduce and maintain body weight. At the same time, fresh findings on weight loss drugs that can compete with Wegovy mean lower prices and greater access. Mounjaro, a weight loss drug that demonstrated 22% weight loss, is expected to be authorized for obesity treatment later this year.
At the ADA conference, the company behind Wegovy showed data from late-stage trials that indicate that a high-dose oral version of Wegovy can bring similar weight loss results to the injected form when combined with diet changes and physical activity. Similarly, Lilly, the company behind Mounjaro, also released a statement indicating the highest dose of its experimental pill, orforglipron, led to 14.7% weight loss for obese or overweight patients.
Weekly injections of weight loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro may cost more than $1,000 monthly. A pill version of the drugs will lower these costs and make effective obesity and overweight treatment more accessible to the people who need them.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.