What's New in Obesity Treatment?

Drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro are available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. But you've probably heard of them because they're constantly discussed in the media in relation to losing weight.

GLP-1 agonists are a relatively recent class of medications that includes Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda. Depending on the medicine, these once-weekly injections are the most effective diabetes and weight management treatments now on the market, resulting in average weight loss anywhere from 6% to 20%. The only FDA-approved drugs for weight loss are Wegovy and Saxanda.

Some of these medications have also been shown to reduce the likelihood of developing heart and kidney problems. They function differently from other weight reduction medications in that they reduce hunger, sluggish digestion, and quicken satiety.

The use of GLP-1 agonists is not without risk. Due to their mechanism of action, they frequently produce stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and even constipation. 

Demand rose after social media posts from celebrities who said they were using the medications to quickly shed pounds. At first, this caused Wegovy to become scarce. People started using Ozempic for purposes other than treating type 2 diabetes, making it a "off-label" drug.

There are still problems with the distribution network for these medicines. As a result, even for individuals with diabetes who are already taking the medicine, insurance companies are increasingly refusing claims.

Keep in mind that the excitement is well-earned. Over 40% of U.S. adults are obese, and another 30% are overweight, thus medications like semaglutide, which is found in both Ozempic and Wegovy, are both effective and important. Their increasing acceptance has opened the door to a new generation of weight loss medications.