What Are Other Weightloss Medications?
When it comes to weight loss, many people turn to medications to help them achieve their goals. While diet and exercise are important factors in losing weight, some individuals may require additional assistance. In addition to well-known weight loss medications like phentermine and orlistat, there are several other options available.
1. Contrave
Contrave is a prescription medication that combines bupropion and naltrexone. Bupropion is an antidepressant that can also help reduce appetite, while naltrexone is used to treat addiction. Together, these two drugs work to suppress appetite and reduce food cravings.
2. Saxenda
Saxenda, also known as liraglutide, is an injectable medication that mimics the hormone GLP-1. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels and promotes feelings of fullness. Saxenda can be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise to aid in weight loss.
3. Belviq
Belviq, or lorcaserin, is a medication that affects serotonin receptors in the brain. By activating these receptors, Belviq helps control appetite and promotes a feeling of fullness. It is typically used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
4. Qsymia
Qsymia is a combination medication that contains phentermine and topiramate. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant, while topiramate is an anticonvulsant drug that can also help reduce appetite. Qsymia is used in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to aid in weight loss.
5. Victoza
Victoza, or liraglutide, is another GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to Saxenda. In addition to being used to treat type 2 diabetes, Victoza can also help with weight loss. It works by slowing down the emptying of the stomach and increasing feelings of fullness.
6. Xenical
Xenical, or orlistat, is a medication that works by blocking the absorption of fat in the digestive system. It is typically used in combination with a low-fat diet to aid in weight loss. Xenical can help prevent the absorption of about one-third of the fat consumed. However, it is significantly less effective than Ozempic, and some individuals may experience digestive system side effects that can lead to discontinuation of treatment before achieving substantial weight loss results.
7. Rybelsus
Rybelsus is a tablet form of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic. It is taken daily instead of a weekly injection. While it has shown effectiveness for weight loss, it appears to be around 30-40% less effective than Ozempic. However, it is not currently licensed for weight loss treatment in the UK.
8. Wegovy
Wegovy is a higher-dose injection of semaglutide and has shown to be more effective for weight loss than Ozempic in trials, owing to its higher dosage. It has been approved for weight loss treatment by medicines regulators in the USA, UK, and EU. However, as of February 2023, it is not available in the UK.
9.Metformin
Metformin is a drug commonly used to treat diabetes, and it helps the body produce and utilize insulin more effectively. While it has shown some positive effects on body weight in certain clinical trials, the results and side effects can vary significantly, making it an unreliable choice for safe and effective weight loss treatment.
10.Trulicity
Trulicity contains dulaglutide and is injected weekly, similar to Ozempic. It operates in a similar manner and has comparable results in weight loss trials, but there is less available data compared to Ozempic. It is currently licensed in the UK for diabetes treatment, not specifically for weight loss.
11. Other Diabetes Medications
Some other diabetes medicines, like canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin, increase the amount of sugar removed from the body through urine and have been shown to cause small reductions in body weight. However, the weight loss effects of these medications are relatively modest and may not be considered particularly effective for weight loss purposes.
It's important to note that these medications are not suitable for everyone and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Additionally, weight loss medications are not a magic solution and should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
If you're considering weight loss medications, please contact us. Our professional team can assess your individual needs and help you make an informed decision about your weight loss journey.