In this blog, you can read about the available medications, their effects, and their side effects. It is important to know that these medications are not simply prescribed by a doctor. One qualifies if they meet the following indications: a BMI of ≥27 with weight-related conditions or ≥30. Additionally, it is important to realize that sustainable results are only achieved when the medication is used in combination with lifestyle changes.
First Generation Weight Loss Medication: Saxenda
Saxenda is a liraglutide-based medication that was first approved for weight reduction. It is specifically approved for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions.
What is liraglutide?
Liraglutide is a synthetic drug that belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonists. This medication mimics the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which is involved in regulating appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels. Its effects include:
- Reduced appetite: liraglutide stimulates satiety and suppresses hunger, which helps in reducing calorie intake;
- Delayed gastric emptying: food remains in the stomach longer, extending the feeling of fullness;
- Improved blood sugar levels: although this effect is less pronounced with Saxenda than with diabetes medication, it contributes to better energy distribution.
Clinical results of Saxenda
In the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) of Saxenda, the results of clinical studies are described. Patients with obesity or overweight, in combination with a lifestyle intervention, lost an average of up to 8% of their body weight after 56 weeks of Saxenda treatment. In some patients, even higher percentages of weight loss were reported, depending on the implementation of the lifestyle intervention.
Side effects of Saxenda
As with many medications, the use of Saxenda is often associated with side effects. The extent to which side effects occur varies per person. Side effects are also not always permanent. They can be an effect of the body adapting to the medication. The most common side effects of Saxenda are:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea/constipation;
- Headache;
- Fatigue.
For more information on side effects, please refer to the Saxenda leaflet.
Second Generation Weight Loss Medication: Wegovy and Ozempic
Wegovy and Ozempic are medications containing the active substance semaglutide, which were originally developed for different indications. Wegovy is specifically approved for weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with related conditions, while Ozempic was developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
What does semaglutide do?
Semaglutide is a synthetic drug that belongs to the GLP-1 receptor agonists. The medication mimics the action of the natural hormone GLP-1, which plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels, appetite, and digestion. Its effects include:
- Reduced appetite;
- Delayed gastric emptying;
- Improved blood sugar levels.
Clinical results of Wegovy/Ozempic
In the SmPC of this medication, the results of various clinical studies are discussed. Patients with obesity or overweight, in combination with a low-calorie diet and increased physical activity, lost an average of up to 15% of their body weight after 68 weeks of Wegovy/Ozempic treatment. Diabetics were found to have lost approximately 7-10% of their weight after this period. Additionally, the medication effectively lowers HbA1c values, meaning that blood sugar levels were stable over a longer period.
What are the side effects of Wegovy/Ozempic?
The use of Wegovy/Ozempic can be associated with side effects. How often and to what extent these side effects occur varies from person to person. Often they are temporary and a result of the body adapting to the medication. The most common side effects of Wegovy/Ozempic are:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Diarrhea/constipation;
- Headache.
For more information on side effects, please refer to the Wegovy and Ozempic leaflet.
Third Generation Weight Loss Medication: Mounjaro
Mounjaro is one of the newest medications used for weight loss and blood sugar regulation. It is a medication based on the active substance tirzepatide. Mounjaro was initially developed for people with diabetes, but given its impact on weight reduction, it is increasingly used for people with obesity and overweight. In the US, the manufacturer of this medication has developed a version specifically for weight reduction called Zepbound. This has not entered the European market.
The substance tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, unlike other medications, has a dual action. This means that it mimics the action of two natural hormones: GLP-1 and GIP. Both hormones influence the regulation of blood sugar levels, appetite, and energy balance. As a result:
- Appetite is reduced;
- Gastric emptying is delayed;
- Blood sugar levels are maintained.
Clinical results of Mounjaro
The SmPC of Mounjaro shows that during clinical studies, people with type 2 diabetes and overweight, in combination with improved eating habits and increased physical activity, lost up to 20% of their body weight. Additionally, Mounjaro was shown to improve with a significant reduction in HbA1c values. This means that Mounjaro is proven to help lower blood sugar levels over a longer period.
What are the side effects of Mounjaro?
Similar to other weight loss medications, side effects are also common with Mounjaro. In most cases, these are limited to only the initial phase of the entire treatment. After that, the body adjusts to the medication, and the side effects generally decrease. The main side effects of Mounjaro are:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting;
- Gastrointestinal complaints;
- Fatigue and headache.
For more information on side effects, please refer to the Mounjaro leaflet. For a more comprehensive overview of all medications, please refer to the weight loss medication overview page.
Nicolette studied Medicine at the University of Amsterdam. After conducting clinical research for several years into the development of diabetes in overweight individuals, she spent years guiding people with extreme obesity before and after gastric bypass surgery, with a strong focus on lifestyle coaching. With the advent of various weight-loss supporting medications, Nicolette also specialized in this area. Her combination of medical knowledge, scientific background, and years of practical experience enables her to find the most suitable and effective treatment for you. According to Nicolette, lifestyle changes are crucial in achieving and maintaining weight loss. Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle is not only important for weight reduction but also leads to an improvement in physical and mental health. "I believe that sustainable weight loss revolves around the right balance between medical support and lifestyle change. Medication can be a powerful aid, but real change occurs when we work together on habits that suit you and that you can maintain in the long term. Through my years of experience with people living with overweight and obesity, I know that every story is different. What works for one person may not work for another. That is why I take the time to listen to your situation and together find the most appropriate treatment – so that you not only lose weight but also feel truly better, both physically and mentally. Weight loss goes beyond a number on the scale. It's about energy, health, self-confidence, and quality of life. And you don't make that journey alone with us."
