Semaglutide to Orlistat: 5 Weight Loss Drugs Weighed Up

You’ve no doubt heard about weight loss injections by now – but did you know that there are a multitude of weight loss drugs available on the market? These different remedies for obesity each work in slightly different ways and can be worth comparing if you’re thinking of trying injectable weight loss drugs. Below we’ll compare the following medications: semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, retratrutide and orlistat.

Semaglutide

(e.g. Ozempic, Wegovy)

The most popular injectable weight loss drug right now is semaglutide. It’s commonly known under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy and is used by tens of millions of people worldwide. This drug works by mimicking GLP-1 – an appetite-suppressing hormone within our body that also helps regulate blood sugar. As a result, semaglutide is used for both weight loss and diabetes management. Studies have shown that 80% of users achieve significant weight loss.

Liraglutide

(e.g. Saxenda, Victoza)

Liraglutide is an older form of injectable weight loss drug that works similarly to semaglutide. It was originally introduced to manage diabetes, but weight loss was observed as a common side effect. Liraglutide has a shorter half life than semaglutide and has to be injected daily. Due to being less effective than other weight loss drugs, it is not prescribed as often for weight loss nowadays.

Tirzepatide

(e.g. Mounjaro, Zepbound)

Known as a ‘dual-agonist’, Tirzepatide mimics two appetite-suppressing hormones: GLP-1 and GIP. This dual action makes it even more effective than Semaglutide at enhancing insulin secretion and helping patients control their appetite. Because of how effective it is, more patients have been drifting away from the likes of Ozempic and Weygovy and opting for Tizepatide-based brands like Mounjaro and Zepbound instead. The downside is that it costs more than semaglutide medication.

Retratrutide

Why settle for a dual-agonist when you could try a triple-agonist instead? Retratrutide aims to be just that. It’s a weight loss drug that is still in its trial phase that imitates three appetite suppressing hormones: GLP-1, GIP and glucagon. As a result, it is expected to provide increased appetite control and even more significant weight loss. You will be able to buy retratrutide online once it has been fully approved.

Orlistat

(e.g. Xenical, Alli)

Orlistat is not injected but taken orally instead. It works very different to all the other weight loss drugs listed above in that it inhibits fat absorption in the gut. This in turn helps you to lose weight by storing less fat. Orlistat has proven to be fairly effective – 37% of users reported losing 5% or more of their starting weight within 12 weeks. Side effects may include changes to your bowel movements and stool consistency. For those that don’t like injections, it could be a weight loss medicine worth trying.

Weighing up the weight loss drugs

Weight loss medicines come in a variety of price plans and it’s important that you find one within your budget. You should also consider the effectiveness of different drugs on the market. If injectable medication is not for you, oral options like orlistat could be the best choice.