This article was reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA.
Weight loss can be a challenge, even for those who eat healthily and exercise regularly. Injectable weight loss medications — also known as GLP-1 and GIP injections — can help when lifestyle changes aren’t enough.
Weight loss injections are considered safe and effective for most people with obesity or excess weight. Still, like all medications, they can cause unwanted side effects — like nausea, constipation, and heartburn — that typically subside within a few weeks.
Ahead, discover all the details you should know when considering weight loss injections.
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What Are Weight Loss Injections?
Weight loss injections are prescription medications administered through the skin with a small needle to help with weight loss and weight management.
Injectable medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for obesity and overweight include:
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Wegovy (active ingredient semaglutide)
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Saxenda (active ingredient liraglutide)
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Zepbound (active ingredient tirzepatide)
There are also injections approved for type 2 diabetes that contain the same active ingredients. These meds are sometimes prescribed off-label to support weight loss.
When a medication is prescribed off-label, it means it’s approved by the FDA for a particular use, but a healthcare provider prescribes it to treat something else. This is a legal — and common — practice for many medications.
Diabetes injections prescribed off-label for weight loss include:
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Ozempic (semaglutide)
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Victoza (liraglutide)
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Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Most diabetes and weight loss injections are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
These medications mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which is made in your gastrointestinal tract when you eat. The GLP-1 hormone is linked to:
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Reduced appetite
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Feelings of fullness
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Insulin production, which lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels
Although these medications have shown promise with weight loss, they’re not a replacement for eating well and exercising. Weight loss injections are meant to be used alongside healthy lifestyle changes, like following a nutritious eating plan and getting plenty of exercise.
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Types of Weight Loss Injections
Weight loss injections are taken either once a week or once daily — either way, you give yourself the shots at home.
There are a few different weight loss injections. We’ll go over the most common ones below.
Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections
You’re probably familiar with one semaglutide brand name: Ozempic. Other brand names for semaglutide include Wegovy and Rybelsus (the latter is taken orally daily, while the other two are injected once a week).
Ozempic is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but it’s sometimes prescribed off-label to help with weight loss. Wegovy, on the other hand, is approved for weight loss in people with obesity or those with overweight and an obesity-related health condition, like high blood pressure (hypertension).
Ozempic and Wegovy are GLP-1 receptor agonists. They mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which affects the parts of the brain responsible for regulating appetite.
Ozempic was approved by the FDA in 2017, while Wegovy was granted approval in 2021.
Compounded semaglutide injections contain the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy. The main difference is that they’re not FDA-approved. They’re also usually more affordable than brand-name alternatives.
Compounded semaglutide is often prescribed when someone needs a dose or formulation that isn’t available in the commercially sold versions.
Through Hers, access to compounded semaglutide starts at $199 per month with a 12-month plan, paid upfront in full.
*Compounded semaglutide is a compounded product and has not been approved by the FDA. The FDA does not review compounded products for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
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Liraglutide Weight Loss Injections
Liraglutide is the active ingredient in Saxenda and Victoza.
Like Ozempic and Wegovy, liraglutide is an injected GLP-1 receptor agonist that can suppress appetite and regulate hunger hormones. One difference is that liraglutide weight loss injections are injected once daily as opposed to weekly.
Saxenda is FDA-approved for weight management in people with obesity. Victoza is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, but it’s sometimes used off-label for weight loss.
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Tirzepatide Weight Loss Injections
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Like Ozempic, Mounjaro is FDA-approved as a diabetes medication. It can help folks with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels. Mounjaro is also sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss, while Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss.
Beyond being a GLP-1 receptor agonist, tirzepatide is also a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist. It’s known as a GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist.
In simpler terms, this medication targets two receptors in the body, whereas semaglutide injections only target one.
The GLP-1 receptor agonist component works the same way it does in semaglutide: by reducing hunger and promoting feelings of fullness.
The GIP receptor agonist part works very similarly, mimicking the GIP hormone, which is also released after eating to trigger insulin production. It’s also linked with feelings of fullness.
Together, the GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists can produce a reduced appetite that leads to reduced food intake — according to an Eli Lilly-sponsored study (the manufacturer of Mounjaro and Zepbound). And at the risk of stating the obvious, these effects promote weight loss.
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How to Get Weight Loss Injections
You’ll need a prescription to get injections that help with weight loss. You may be able to get a prescription from a healthcare provider in person or through certain telehealth platforms.
Though the process of getting GLP-1 injections for weight loss varies by provider, they’ll typically ask you a few basic questions and calculate your BMI (body mass index).
This calculation is based on your height and weight. It’s not perfect, but BMI can offer a basic idea of body fat composition and whether a person falls within the overweight or obesity categories.
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Are Injections for Weight Loss Safe?
Compounded GLP-1s are medications made by a compounding pharmacy that contain active ingredients used in the brand-name medications.
Compounding pharmacies aren’t regulated by the same federal standards as FDA-approved pharmaceuticals — instead, they’re overseen by state boards. That doesn’t make them inherently unsafe; it just means the FDA can’t confirm the efficacy of compounded medications.
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Side Effects of Weight Loss Injections
Even though GLP-1s are safe for most people, there are some side effects to keep in mind. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, particularly nausea and diarrhea. You may also experience vomiting and constipation.
Over five percent of people experience nausea and diarrhea on semaglutide and liraglutide. These adverse reactions also affect up to 10 percent of those who use tirzepatide. Other possible side effects of GLP-1s include:
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Dizziness
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Fatigue
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Headaches
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Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
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Indigestion
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Mild tachycardia (fast heart rate)
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Itching or redness at the injection site
Some people manage nausea, diarrhea, and headaches with over-the-counter medication and home remedies like ginger tea during the first couple of weeks while they adjust to the meds. There are also prescription anti-nausea options you can discuss with your healthcare provider.
There’s also a risk that weight loss injections can cause more serious health problems. Although these issues are rare, they’re possible.
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Allergic reaction to the drug
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Gallbladder disease
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Kidney issues
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Pancreatitis
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Tachycardia (fast heartbeat)
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Thyroid cancer
Weight loss injections also have certain contraindications, meaning healthcare providers may not recommend them for some people.
Liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide might not be a good fit if you have:
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Type 1 diabetes
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Diabetic retinopathy
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A history of pancreatitis.
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Gallstones or other gallbladder diseases.
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Kidney disease
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Family or personal history of thyroid tumors, especially medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
These medications may increase the risk of pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas). Clinical trials have shown that they can cause an increase in thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, but this observation hasn’t been made in human studies.
There isn’t much research on how safe weight loss injections are during pregnancy or breastfeeding. In some cases, a healthcare provider will determine whether a medication is worth prescribing when the benefits outweigh the potential risks (treating diabetes, for example).
Also, since weight loss injections delay gastric emptying, they might affect how your body processes medications, such as contraceptive pills. Discuss your current medications with a healthcare professional, as it might be necessary to use a different type of contraceptive (like condoms) while using weight loss injections.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, like other methods of weight loss, weight can be regained after using weight loss injections.
In a 2022 study sponsored by Novo Nordisk, participants gained most of their lost weight back after stopping semaglutide for a year. These people regained an average of two‐thirds of their prior weight loss, highlighting the importance of ongoing treatment and lifestyle changes.
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What Is the Best Injection for Weight Loss at Home?
There isn’t one single best injection for weight loss for ongoing at-home use. The best weight loss treatment for you will depend on your health, body, and lifestyle.
Having said that, there’s some research comparing weight loss injections against each other.
For instance, one 2022 trial compared the weight loss effects of Wegovy with Saxenda.
This clinical trial looked at 338 adults who had obesity or overweight but not diabetes. Participants received counseling for diet and physical activity as well as either Wegovy or Saxenda injections.
The study found that once-weekly Wegovy injections were more effective for weight loss than once-daily Saxenda injections. On average, participants lost 15.8 percent of their body weight with Wegovy and 6.4 percent of their body weight with Saxenda over 68 weeks.
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What About Tirzepatide?
A 40-week trial sponsored by Eli Lilly looked at the effects of tirzepatide versus semaglutide in almost 1,900 people with type 2 diabetes.
Although the goal of the trial wasn’t to measure weight loss, the researchers noted that participants who used tirzepatide lost more weight than those who used semaglutide.
If you’re wondering about side effects, the story is slightly different.
The same study from Eli Lilly also found that five to seven percent of patients who used tirzepatide experienced serious side effects, as opposed to only three percent of those who got semaglutide.
Still, more research should be done before there’s an official consensus on which weight loss injection is safest and most effective. As always, medications can be tolerated differently by different people.
Cost is another thing you may want to factor into the decision.
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How Much Do Weight Loss Injections Cost?
Typically, a one-month supply of brand-name weight loss injections costs:
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Ozempic: $1,075
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Wegovy: $1,450
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Mounjaro: $1,163
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Victoza: $590
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Saxenda: $1,450
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Zepbound: $1,170
These prices can vary depending on the pharmacy you visit and the dosage you’re prescribed.
For example, through Hers, you can get access to compounded semaglutide starting at $199 a month with a 12-month plan paid upfront.
And there are a few things to keep in mind when considering cost.
First, weight loss medications are meant to be taken continuously, so think about your long-term plans and health goals.
Second, health insurance policies seldom cover weight loss injections. Most insurance companies don’t currently cover new weight loss medications, including treatments like semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. But they might cover medications prescribed for diabetes.
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Alternatives to Weight Loss Injections
There are science-backed alternatives to weight loss injections. These include oral medications used off-label to support weight loss in combination with healthy lifestyle changes.
Weight Loss by Hers offers access to medication kits that include a combination of several pills designed to meet your unique needs. Oral medication kits may contain:
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Bupropion. Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that may support weight loss.
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Metformin. Metformin is used for treating diabetes 2, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and obesity. Though it’s considered safe, up to 30 percent of people who take metformin experience gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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Topiramate. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant that’s been shown to reduce appetite and promote weight loss.
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Naltrexone. Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to reduce cravings in people with a history of alcohol or substance abuse.
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Vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is a nutrient essential for human health that can help protect against B-12 deficiency.
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Final Thoughts on Weight Loss Injections
Losing weight can be a challenging and complicated process, especially if you have a health condition that affects your metabolism.
Given the media hype around medications like Ozempic, Victoza, and Mounjaro, it’s no surprise there are lots of questions and concerns around how these meds work.
Here’s what to keep in mind about type 2 diabetes medications used to support weight loss and weight loss injections:
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Weight loss injections are safe and effective when used as prescribed. GLP-1s are usually prescribed alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise.
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Some injectables are FDA-approved for weight loss, and others are used off-label for weight loss. FDA-approved weight loss medications include Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide). Type 2 diabetes injectables with the same active ingredients are sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management. These include Ozempic (semaglutide), Victoza (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide).
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These injections work by mimicking hormones that reduce appetite. Semaglutide and liraglutide are both GLP-1s and tirzepatide is a GIP/GLP-1. They both work by decreasing your cravings and helping you stick to healthier eating habits.
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There are side effects of weight loss injections to be aware of. Nausea and diarrhea are common with weight loss injections. Rarer (but more serious) health risks include kidney issues and pancreatitis.
All medications have potential side effects. A healthcare professional can help determine which weight loss medications will be safest for you.
If you’d like extra support, we can connect you with a healthcare provider to chat about potential solutions.
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This article originally appeared on Forhers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org