GLP-1 Medications: Compare Every Option

“Obesity is a condition that affects more than 40% of our adult population and when factoring in candidacy for medications, such as those with overweight and a weight-related condition, the numbers get even higher,” says Anthony Jay Millard, M.D., a board-certified obesity medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He notes the need for an “all-hands-on-deck approach” with providers across the healthcare spectrum.

Many providers are familiar with the latest weight-loss medications, but not all individuals are candidates for these medications, says Dr. Millard.

“Obesity is a condition that affects more than 40% of our adult population and when factoring in candidacy for medications, such as those with overweight and a weight-related condition, the numbers get even higher,” says Anthony Jay Millard, M.D., a board-certified obesity medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He notes the need for an “all-hands-on-deck approach” with providers across the healthcare spectrum.

Many providers are familiar with the latest weight-loss medications, but not all individuals are candidates for these medications, says Dr. Millard.

“Obesity is a condition that affects more than 40% of our adult population and when factoring in candidacy for medications, such as those with overweight and a weight-related condition, the numbers get even higher,” says Anthony Jay Millard, M.D., a board-certified obesity medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He notes the need for an “all-hands-on-deck approach” with providers across the healthcare spectrum.

Many providers are familiar with the latest weight-loss medications, but not all individuals are candidates for these medications, says Dr. Millard.

“Obesity is a condition that affects more than 40% of our adult population and when factoring in candidacy for medications, such as those with overweight and a weight-related condition, the numbers get even higher,” says Anthony Jay Millard, M.D., a board-certified obesity medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He notes the need for an “all-hands-on-deck approach” with providers across the healthcare spectrum.

Many providers are familiar with the latest weight-loss medications, but not all individuals are candidates for these medications, says Dr. Millard.

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Ozempic® is an FDA-approved medication for treating type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that acts like the GLP-1 hormone released in the digestive tract when eating. This weight-regulating hormone “signals fullness to the brain, delays stomach emptying and lowers blood sugar,” says Rekha Kumar, chief medical officer at the medically-assisted weight loss program, Found, and practicing endocrinologist in New York City.

The medication is available by prescription only and is used as a weekly injection to help with blood sugar management and help reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people with type 2 diabetes. Since semaglutide has shown effectiveness in reducing body weight for those with overweight or obesity, Ozempic® may also aid in weight loss. However, Ozempic® itself is not FDA approved to treat weight loss alone in patients without a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy®

‍Wegovy® is another injectable medication made with semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic®). It’s approved by the FDA for weight management in people with a body mass index or BMI of 27 who have another weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, or those with a BMI of 30 or higher.

Like Ozempic®, Wegovy® is also prescription only and taken once a week.

Saxenda®
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‍Saxenda®, like Ozempic® and Wegovy®, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, but it’s made with liraglutide (instead of semaglutide). The medication is also prescription-only and FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity in people aged 12 and older who weigh more than 132 pounds or adults with BMI of 30 or higher.

Liraglutide works by helping to decrease appetite and slow the emptying of the stomach, which causes feelings of fullness and leads to lower calorie intake.

Saxenda® is a daily injection, while Ozempic® and Wegovy® are weekly injections.

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