Weight loss medications: Exploring the options

What you’ll learn:

• Weight loss medications can help a person overcome various biological factors that can make losing weight difficult.
  
• There are different types of weight loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, appetite suppressants, and fat absorption inhibitors.
  
• Your healthcare provider or Noom Med can help you decide which weight loss medication might be right for you.

If you feel like traditional diet and exercise recommendations aren’t working for you, you’re not alone. For many people struggling with carrying excess weight, losing weight can feel like an endless uphill climb. Even with their best efforts in diet and exercise, factors like metabolism, hormones, and genetics can make it tough to lose weight and keep it off. 

We call these “biological barriers” to weight loss. They are the things outside of your control that can prevent you from losing weight, even when you’re doing everything right. 

Thankfully, we are also experiencing an exciting new era of weight loss medications that are more effective than any we’ve seen before. Medical weight loss options have come a long way. Now, with a better understanding of weight management science, drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro are revolutionizing weight loss. If you’ve only heard of Ozempic, you’re in for an eye-opening read! 

Of course, they aren’t doing it alone. Building a nutritious diet plan and moving your body with Noom’s help will always be the first defense. But, if you feel like you’re still spinning your wheels, there are medications you can ask your doctor about. 

Understanding how the way your body works blocks weight loss

The biological barriers we talked about are different for everyone, but here’s a closer look at some of the common ones:

• Metabolism: This is the process that turns food into energy. Some people have slower metabolisms, which make it harder to burn off the fuel (or calories) they eat. This can lead to weight gain and a harder time taking it off. Metabolism also naturally slows with age and can change during menopause. 
• Hormones: These are chemical messengers that tell your body to do something. You’ve probably heard of a few of them, such as insulin and leptin. Certain hormones cause you to feel hungry, so you eat. Other hormones signal that you are full, so you stop eating. If these signals are not functioning optimally, knowing when to eat and stop can be hard.
• Insulin resistance: Insulin allows your cells to let sugar in for energy. If you have insulin resistance, sugar can’t get into the cells easily. This can lead to more energy being stored as fat, making it harder to lose weight. Also, because sugar is not able to get into your cells, your cells think that the body is starving and thus send signals to your brain to make you feel hungry.
• Genetics: These are the blueprints of your body passed down by your parents. Some people are built in a way that makes them gain weight more easily. It’s something you’re born with that you can’t control.

Even if you eat healthy and exercise, these internal factors can make it tougher to lose weight. That’s why having a personalized weight loss plan is so important, and why weight loss medications could play a vital role in your plan.

Types of weight loss medications, common side effects, effectiveness, and pricing

Weight loss medications of the past few decades were often less effective or had dangerous side effects and the potential to be habit-forming. The newer medications, called GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been found to be relatively safe and highly effective. Now, if you’re considering medication to help with weight loss, there are several types to think about. Each will help you overcome a specific biological barrier, or several, that can prevent you from losing weight. 

Some medications work by controlling hunger hormones to reduce appetite, while others increase energy expenditure or limit fat absorption. GLP-1 receptor agonists, in particular, have emerged as promising new contenders in the weight loss market due to their efficacy and relative safety. You’ve probably heard of Ozempic which belongs to this family, but it isn’t the only option. 

It’s important to note that only some weight loss medications are FDA-approved for weight loss; others can be prescribed off-label, as noted below. Your doctor can help you determine which option is best for you, but here’s how they stack up next to each other.

GLP-1 receptor agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by slowing digestion, regulating blood sugar, and making you feel full for longer after you’ve eaten.

Medication	Cost per month (without insurance)	Brand names	Effectiveness	Common side effects
Semaglutide	$930- $1,350	Wegovy, Ozempic (off-label), Rybelsus (off-label)	In one study, people lost about 6% of their body weight in 3 months and 11% in 6 months.	Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, and fatigue
Tirzepatide	$1,000- $1,050	Zepbound, Mounjaro (off-label)	Study participants at 72 weeks experienced weight loss of 15% with 5 mg weekly doses of tirzepatide, 19.5% with 10 mg doses, and 20.9% with 15 mg doses	Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, and bloating
Liraglutide	$800- $1,400	Saxenda, Victoza (off-label)	A study showed that weight loss over a year was 6% with a 3 mg dose and almost 5% with a 1.8 mg dose.	Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, and constipation

Appetite suppressants

These medications work by stimulating the release of special chemicals in the brain that decrease appetite and increase the amount of energy your body uses.

Medication	Cost per month (without insurance)	Brand names	Effectiveness	Common side effects
Phentermine	$27-$100	Lomaira, Adipex-P	A study showed that approximately 80% of people with a BMI of 30 kg or more lost at least 5% of their body weight after six months of taking phentermine	Faster heart rate, sleeplessness, nervousness, and constipation
Diethylpropion	$40-$85	Tenuate, Tenuate Dospan	People in a study lost an average of 9.8% of their body weight within 6 months while taking diethylpropion	Depression, fear or nervousness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, constipation, dry mouth, fainting
Naltrexone and bupropion	$600- $800	Contrave	People in a study lost 6.7% of their body weight when taking 16 mg of the naltrexone and bupropion combination, and 8.1% when taking 32 mg after about a year	Nausea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, diarrhea

Fat absorption inhibitors

Fat absorption inhibitors prevent some dietary fat from getting into your body. About one-third of the fat you eat when taking these medications is undigested and leaves the body when you use the bathroom.

Medication	Cost per month (without insurance)	Brand names	Effectiveness	Common side effects
Orlistat	$50-$800	Xenical, Alli	People in a study lost about 3.8% of body weight after taking Orlistat for 1 year	Abdominal pain, urgent or oily bowel movements, bladder pain, nausea, back pain, and headache

Be aware that your side effects will vary and you should discuss the potential for severe side effects with your doctor. The clinicians at Noom Med are also well qualified to have those discussions. They can provide a personalized approach to weight loss, carefully tracking your progress, addressing any side effects, and adjusting your medication regimen to ensure your health and well-being.

Can medication help with long-term weight loss?

Absolutely! A study of semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) found that people with obesity who combined the drug with lifestyle changes lost an average of 15% of their body weight in 68 weeks. People who were assigned a placebo lost only 2% of their body weight on average. 

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, can also amplify weight loss and help people keep it off. In one study, people lost up to 21% of their body weight at 88 weeks. 

Weight loss medications can be a valuable tool to take weight off. But true, long-term lifestyle changes are necessary to prevent it from returning. Those who used Noom alongside a GLP-1 medication achieved six times more weight loss at 12 months. 

Are weight loss medications safe for long-term use?

The safety of using weight loss meds for the long haul can depend a lot on the particular drug and your overall health. Many of these meds have been well-studied and are safe when you use them as prescribed and under a doctor’s watch. However, it’s really important to chat with your healthcare provider about the possible risks and benefits to see if long-term use is a good fit for you.

How to pick the right weight loss medication and talk to your doctor about a prescription

Choosing the right weight loss medication is something you should do in coordination with your healthcare provider. Noom Med can also connect you with a qualified clinician to help you find the right medication and coordinate insurance coverage if you qualify. 

Here are tips on how to talk to your healthcare provider about weight loss medications: 

• Be open and honest about your medical history, lifestyle, and what you expect. 
• Make a list of questions and concerns ahead of time to make sure you cover everything. 
• Ask about the benefits and risks of each medication and what kind of monitoring is required.
• Share any preferences you have, like avoiding certain side effects or using a medication that works in a specific way. 
• Ask about insurance coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs.
  

Noom Med can help streamline the process of obtaining a prescription for weight loss medication by connecting you with licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in obesity management. Through the Noom Med program, you’ll receive personalized guidance, support, and access to the latest developments in weight loss medication, ensuring a tailored approach to overcoming your biological barriers to weight loss.

How can I use Noom best if I already have a prescription for a weight loss medication?

Noom’s GLP-1 Companion offers guidance on maximizing success with GLP-1 medications and overcoming common challenges. You can opt into the GLP-1 companion program during or after Noom sign-up which includes access to: 

• Protein Power: A feature that provides a “protein bar” on the home screen, a post-meal macro log, and an updated food color system.
• Muscle Defense™: A library of fitness videos from FitOn that will help to prevent muscle loss.
• Lessons on behavioral changes, including nutrition, activity levels, and habits.
• A section introducing weight loss medications and what to expect.
• Info on most common side effects and how to manage them.

Noom: A holistic solution for sustainable weight loss

Weight loss medications can be a game-changer for anyone struggling to shed those extra pounds, especially when traditional methods haven’t worked. These meds can give you a new sense of hope and help you tackle your unique challenges. By learning about the different options and how effective they are, you can make smart choices as you shed pounds.

Noom is there to guide you. It’s not just about dieting; it combines personalized eating plans with the psychological support you need to stay on track for the long haul. Remember, with the right guidance and medical oversight, weight loss medications can safely and effectively be part of a well-rounded plan to help you reach your goals.

Note: Ozempic, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, and Victoza are not FDA-approved to treat obesity or for weight loss.