How do weight loss drugs work? What to know

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(NewsNation) — Weight loss drugs have become one of the most common parts of society.

The market, having exploded in recent years, seems to have something new every day to help people get healthier or put them on the right track with their goals.

Whether it’s Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Hims/Hers, there’s no lack of different methods for weight loss beyond the normal exercise and eating right.

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So, how exactly do weight loss drugs work? Which drugs have the best results and why? How many people are taking the drugs?

What do weight loss drugs do for people?

Certain drugs, while simply enough can help a person decrease their weight, can also help treat obesity.

Health care providers suggest that anybody with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 or greater than 27 is advised to try weight loss drugs because of too much body fat or having a serious medical condition linked to obesity.

According to the Mayo Clinic, prescription weight loss drugs used for up to 12 weeks can lead to major weight loss compared with an inactive treatment that doesn’t use medicine, called a placebo. Taking the drugs for up to a year can lead to a loss of total body weight of 3% to 12% more than that lost with lifestyle changes alone.

“These medications work by impacting the brain’s hunger signals to reduce appetite,” said Dr. Sheenagh Bodkin, Brown University. “They help patients lose weight by diminishing hunger cues.”

Which weight loss drugs have the best results?

Each drug has its effects on its consumers, but in terms of the best results, Zepbound is at the top, with a person averaging up to 22.5% weight loss.

The Obesity Medicine Association acknowledges, “Based on the latest clinical trials and real-world data, tirzepatide (Zepbound) currently stands out as the most effective FDA-approved prescription medication for weight loss.”

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Zepbound’s main role is to suppress someone’s appetite, improve their satiety, and support metabolic health.

Behind Zepbound, a person taking Wegovy averages 14.5% weight loss, while Saxenda sits around 8%.

How many people are taking weight loss drugs?

A study from FAIR Health said more than 2% of Americans were taking weight loss drugs, such as GLP-1, in 2024.

“From 2019 to 2024, the percentage of adult patients with a diagnosis of overweight or obesity increased 50.7 percent, and the percentage of adult patients prescribed any type of GLP-1 drug increased 363.7 percent,” FAIR Health’s analysis found.

The public awareness about weight loss drugs has also increased by upwards of 32% in adults.

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