Comparing Cost, Results, Side Effects

• Weight loss drugs such as semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide help regulate appetite and digestion.
• They work by acting on a hormone called GLP-1, but some may be more effective than others.
• Newer drugs like letartortide may produce better results because they act on more hormones at once.

The latest class of weight loss drugs is revolutionizing the treatment of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, and more are on the way pending additional research and FDA approval.

New research is published regularly, so it can be difficult to keep track of all your options.

Here we present the latest research and news about the main weight loss drugs currently used and studied, how they work, and their effects and side effects.

Semaglutide (Ozempic, sold as Wegovy)

background: Semaglutide, a once-weekly injection originally designed to treat diabetes, was one of the first drugs of its type to be called a “game changer” for weight loss. It was approved for that purpose by the FDA in 2021 and is sold by Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.

The drugmaker is also developing a once-daily tablet version of semaglutide, with early evidence suggesting it may be as effective as an injection.

How to use: It mimics a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite and digestion. As a result, patients notice a decrease in their desire for highly palatable foods, especially sweets and fatty foods.

Efficacy in clinical trials: Clinical trials found that patients who took semaglutide lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. However, research suggests that you need to continue taking the medication to: maintain weight loss.

New evidence suggests that semaglutide may also help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.A study found that May help prevent colon cancertoo.

Side effects: Common side effects of the drug include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation.

Why you heard it: Semaglutide has significantly increased in popularity thanks to mentions by celebrities like Elon Musk. Social media trends have made Ozempic one of the most well-known terms for weight loss drugs, but the brand name is marketed for diabetes.

Common terms such asOzempic's face” the brand mentions while explaining the side effects, in this case sagging skin associated with rapid weight loss.

Semaglutide is controversial because widespread shortages began shortly after it was approved as a weight loss drug. High demand has led to a wave of “copycat” versions of the drug, known as compounded semaglutide.

Fee: Ozempic costs about $936 per month, and Wegovy costs $1,349 per month. Insurance coverage It can be complicated, which puts the drug out of reach for many people who could benefit from it.

Tirzepatid (Mounjaro, sold as Zepbound)

background: Tirzepatide is a new drug, originally from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly under the brand name Mounjaro, which received FDA approval for the treatment of diabetes in 2022.

Lilly's version, branded Zepbound and specifically formulated for weight management, received FDA approval in early November 2023.

How to use: Tirzepatide acts on GLP-1 like semaglutide, but it also acts on another hormone called GIP, which may enhance its effects on appetite and weight loss, obesity doctors previously told Insider. .

Efficacy in clinical trials: Available evidence suggests that it may be even more effective than semaglutide in helping patients lose weight. Early studies found that people who took the drug lost 20% of their body weight, an average of 52 pounds, in about 16 months.

Clinical trials found that almost half of overweight diabetics taking the drug lost at least 15% of their body weight, a “groundbreaking” result, according to the study's lead author.

Recent research has also found that people who: Stop taking Tirzepatide You will regain at least some of the weight you lost with the drug.

Side effects: Tirzepatide has side effects similar to semaglutide, such as gastrointestinal disturbances, but they may be less severe due to the drug's effects on both hormones.

Why you heard it: Like semaglutide, tirzepatide gained media fame due to dramatic weight loss stories, social media trends, and concerns from patients about using the drug long-term.

Fee: $1,023/month for Mounjaro and $1,059.87/month for Zepbound

Liraglutide (sold as Victroza and Saxenda)

background: Liraglutide, also sold by Novo Nordisk, has been available longer than comparable GLP-1 treatments and was approved for diabetes in 2010 and weight loss in 2014.

How to use: Because it lasts for a shorter time than newer drugs, it must be given as an injection once a day rather than once a week.

Efficacy in clinical trials: According to one researcher, studies suggest that patients lost about 5 to 10 percent of their body weight. review.

Side effects: Liraglutide has similar gastrointestinal effects, but side effects As with other GLP-1 drugs, it has also been linked to more concerning reactions, including pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and in rare cases, mental health symptoms such as worsening depression and insomnia.

Fee: Approximately $1,349 per month for Saxenda

Retaltortide: Newest drug awaiting FDA approval

background: Retatortide is pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly's latest candidate for a once-weekly injectable GLP-1 treatment, currently scheduled for Phase 3 trials.

How to use: It is nicknamed “Triple G” because it acts on three different hormonal pathways. Like semaglutide, raretortide acts on GLP-1, and like tirzepatide, it acts on GIP. But it adds another layer of interaction by targeting receptors for another hormone called glucagon, which affects blood sugar.

Efficacy in clinical trials: The latest evidence, published June 26 in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that patients who took the highest dose of the drug once a week lost 24.2% of their body weight over 48 weeks; It was shown to be comparable to that seen in bariatric surgery.

Side effects: Research is still ongoing to understand the potential side effects of letartortide. Available evidence suggests that the problem is primarily gastrointestinal and, like other his GLP-1 drugs, can be managed by starting at low doses and increasing gradually.

Fee: to be decided