You can’t follow the news or scroll through your social media channels without seeing something about the increasing popularity of type 2 diabetes drugs that are now being used specifically for weight loss and to combat obesity.
Oprah Winfrey, the latest celebrity to try these drugs, recently spoke openly about her obesity treatment. In an exclusive interview with People magazine, Winfrey attributed her recent weight loss to a combination of healthy lifestyle habits and a prescribed weight-loss medication, which she continues to take “as a tool to manage not yo-yoing.”
Ozempic® is the brand name most often associated broadly with this class of drugs, though it is technically still only used for diabetes treatment. But a growing number of medications have been FDA-approved specifically for weight loss, including Saxenda® (liraglutide), Wegovy® (semaglutide—the ingredient in Ozempic), and Zepbound™ (tirzepatide—the ingredient in Mounjaro™).
These drugs are all GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) agonists. This type of medication mimics the GLP-1 hormone the body naturally produces to control blood glucose levels, slow emptying of the stomach (which keeps you full longer), and reduce your appetite.
Benefits and drawbacks of weight-loss medications
Obesity is a complex, chronic disease that more and more people are battling. These medications are receiving so much attention because they are showing promising results. Along with bariatric surgery, a well-established treatment for obesity, GLP-1 drugs offer people a tool for achieving significant weight loss.
Downsides to consider include the costs and potential side effects as your body adjusts, including gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or nausea, headache, and dizziness. The new class of drugs must be self-injected (weekly for most of these medications) and used continuously or the weight will likely be regained—especially if stopped within the first year.
How medications and bariatric surgery can work together
The criteria for weight-loss medications are the same as with bariatric surgery: a body mass index (BMI) of 30+ or a BMI of 25 and at least one weight-related health condition like sleep apnea, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
When evaluating weight-loss options, including GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery, it is often not a simple either/or choice. Each comes with its own set of benefits and risks or barriers.
Bariatric surgery, like any weight-loss tool, needs to be managed long-term. Even after surgery, patients can regain weight after a number of years if they don’t stick with a program of healthy eating, regular physical activity and other practices such as managing stress and prioritizing sleep.
Combining surgery with the newly approved weight-loss drugs—along with healthful habits—is proving especially promising in helping people who have severe obesity (a BMI of 40+) maintain their weight loss.
A promising time for obesity treatment
Long-term weight management requires commitment, hard work, and diligent follow-up. While bariatric surgery is still the most proven tool for treating obesity, these highly effective medications can play a significant role in helping some patients achieve lasting results.
“The diabetes drugs now approved for weight loss offer another tool for treating obesity,” says Noel N. Williams, MD, director of Penn Medicine’s Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program. “Having more treatment options that are effective will help more people achieve and truly maintain a healthy weight and reduce their related health issues.”
