Different types of GLP-1 medications for weight loss

Dec 29, 2023

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 42% of adult Americans are obese. People have been searching for the ideal weight reduction answer for years, attempting a variety of techniques and drugs. People utilizing the diabetic medication Ozempic to lose weight is a new trend that has drawn a lot of attention.

 

What does the science, however, say about this drug use?

Do medical professionals advise Ozempic for those trying to lose weight? We have professionals who respond to all of these queries. Let's begin with defining GLP-1, the common term for various kinds of drugs, in order to comprehend how these differ from one another.

What is GLP-1?

The peptide hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has a length of 30 or 31 amino acids. When food is consumed, the body produces and secretes it. Through increased insulin production, GLP-1 can lower blood sugar levels in a glucose-dependent way. For this reason, individuals with type 2 diabetes have been using it for years. Nonetheless, the FDA has authorized several GLP-1 agonist drugs for use in weight loss therapies and long-term weight loss maintenance as GLP-1-based therapy has been linked to weight reduction and a decreased risk of hypoglycemia. Numerous additional tissues, such as the heart, tongue, fat, muscles, bones, kidneys, liver, and lungs, have also demonstrated indications of GLP-1's protective and regulatory actions.

Are they FDA approved?
Ozempic and Wegovy are brands of semaglutide. In 2017, ozempic received approval for use in treating diabetes medically. Wegovy received approval in 2021 to be used in weight control. What's the difference when it's the same drug?

 

Ozempic vs Wegovy

Semaglutide was first created and commercialized under the brand name Ozempic to treat Type 2 diabetes in adults. When taken with food and exercise, the medication helps persons with Type 2 diabetes better regulate their blood sugar levels. Once a week, the patient can administer the injectable version of semaglutide at home using an EpiPen-like injection pen.

Other side effects of the medication that researchers started to notice were weight reduction and decreased cravings and appetite. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of semaglutide for weight reduction in 2021. Wegovy is the brand under which it is sold.

Can you explain the distinction between Ozempic and Wegovy?

Wegovy is especially recommended for the management of obesity and overweight. Type 2 diabetes is advised to be treated with Ozempic. Both have been demonstrated to be safe and efficient weight-loss tools when combined with lifestyle modifications, such as regular exercise and a nutritious diet. Only those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes will often have Ozempic covered by their insurance.

Their Dose is different?

Wegovy is offered in pens containing 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg, which are significantly greater dosages. Pens containing 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, and 2.0 mg of ozempic are available. Usually, the same 0.25 mg weekly dosage for both drugs is begun, and over many months, it is progressively raised. Patients using Wegovy gradually increase their semaglutide dosage to 2.4 mg once a week.

 

Ozempic and Wegovy should be recommended to whom?

If you fit any of the following requirements, you may be eligible for Wegovy:

You are classified as obese (BMI 30 or higher) or overweight (BMI 27 or higher) based on your body mass index.

You suffer from certain weight-related medical disorders, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes.

The medication is to be taken in combination with a lower-calorie diet and more exercise to help people maintain their weight over the long term.

 

If you fit any of the following requirements, you may be eligible for Ozempic:

 

Diabetes type 2 affects you.

Even after previous therapies, your A1C level is out of control.

You either already have cardiovascular disease or have a high chance of getting it in the future.

You either have heart failure or renal problems.

These medications are cutting edge, and your physician can advise you on how to use them most effectively.

 

strategies to stay in shape after stopping the Semaglutide shots:

Limit your intake of carbs

Without the need for severe restriction, this eating pattern may replicate many of the advantages of pharmaceutical ways. Examine your eating habits to identify the sources of your carbohydrates, then determine where you may make healthy substitutions or cuts.

Plan to move more frequently

Frequent exercise is beneficial for promoting mental well-being, stronger bones, and the avoidance of chronic diseases. Maintaining your weight reduction following weight loss may also be aided by physical exercise.

Start by going for a stroll during the evenings, or adopt a more gradual approach by parking farther away from locations, choosing to use stairs instead of elevators, or choosing to work from a standing desk rather than a sitting one.

Increase the duration and intensity of your workouts and incorporate other exercises, like weight training, if your doctor gives the go-ahead and you feel ready.

 Look for foods that will make you feel full

 According to studies, consuming meals that are really appetizing might suppress your brain's signals that tell you when you're full, which makes you want to keep eating. Foods that promote fullness, such fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as lean protein sources and healthy fats, are on the other side of this spectrum. These foods are all linked to an increase in fullness or satiety.