Reviewed by Margaux Cousturian, PA-C of Forum Health Knoxville
At a Glance:
- Learn the different types of weight loss injections.
- Understand the benefits and risks of weight loss shots.
- Compare top weight loss injections.
- Learn how to choose the best weight loss injection for you.
What is the Best Weight Loss Injection?
In the journey of losing weight, you may have come across many helpful (and not so helpful) solutions to better your health and find effective weight loss solutions. Here, we round up the best shots for weight loss and a list of weight loss injections so you can weigh your options, understand how they work, and see which may be appropriate for your situation. As always, it’s important to speak to a qualified healthcare provider to establish your treatment plan for weight loss success.
Consider this your ultimate guide to find what is the best weight loss injection for you.
Table of Contents
What are Weight Loss Injections and How Do They Work?
Weight loss injections are prescription medications that assist in weight management. This is especially effective for those who struggle to keep the pounds off. These injections mimic your body’s natural hormones that regulate appetite, helping you feel fuller longer while potentially reducing cravings. One of the most popular types of weight loss injections are GLP-1 receptor agonists like Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound), which mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1. While Semaglutide is a GLP1 agonist, Tirzepatide is a dual agonist of GLP1 and GIP. GLP-1 agonists mimic the way the hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 works in your body – when blood sugar levels start to rise after you eat, the drug triggers your pancreas to make more insulin and reduces the hunger hormone ghrelin, which lowers blood sugar, decreases your appetite, and slows down the rate of stomach emptying. These drugs are also used for Type 2 Diabetes.
Types of Weight Loss Injections
The popularity of weight loss drugs has resulted in a list of weight loss injections. Here, we’ll break them down so you understand how they work and what the best shots are for weight loss.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (Wegovy, Ozempic)
Semaglutide is underneath the GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help with appetite regulation while helping you feel fuller, longer, which can result in significant weight loss. In one study on the effectiveness of semaglutide treatment, the test group achieved 5.9 percent total body weight loss in three months, and 10.9 percent total body weight loss in six months.
Noted side effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists include: nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, or abdominal pain that can subside with continued use. It is not recommended for people with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, or a history of pancreatitis or a certain type of thyroid cancer. It is also not advised for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or under the age of 18.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro)
One of the other best shots for weight loss is Tizepatide, a unique dual action on GLP-1 and GIP receptors. During a 72 week clinical trial that included 2,000 participants, individuals lost 22.5 percent of their body weight when treated with 15mg of Tizepatide.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tirzepatide for chronic weight management on November 8, 2023, and the drug was sold under the brand name, Zepbound.
Other Options (Liraglutide, Phentermine)
Aside from Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, there are other weight loss injections out there. Liraglutide is a daily injectable prescription medication that acts on hormones from the gut to send signals to the brain that help patients feel full more quickly while decreasing hunger signals. Some patients may lose 5-10 percent of their body weight with a higher dose. Saxenda is one of the brand names available right now.
Phentermine is an appetite suppressant and can increase energy. It is usually prescribed in short-term use under provider supervision. Potential risks of this treatment are elevated blood pressure, fast heart rate, restlessness, and dry mouth.
Another class of Phentermine’s (Phentermine-topiramate) is called Qsymia. Qsymia is a combination of Phentermine and Topiramate, designed to help decrease appetite and cravings. This medication is especially helpful for adults with diabetes or migraines. Patients may lose an average of 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.
Lastly, Naltrexone-bupropion, known as Contrave, is another class that combines an opioid receptor agonist with an antidepressant to affect the brain in a different way: it activates the pleasure-reward area to decrease cravings and appetite. Patients may lose up to 5-10 percent of their body weight.
This is not a fully comprehensive list of weight loss injections, but a good highlight for some of the most popular and effective options available.
Benefits and Risks of Weight Loss Injections
With the various types of weight loss injections out there and their rise in popularity in Hollywood over the last couple of years, you may be wondering, is it effective and is it safe? The answer is: ask your doctor and assess your medical history, as well as your personal health needs. While overusing the drugs are quite problematic, using the drugs as prescribed by your doctor are proven highly effective for weight loss, long-term weight management, improved metabolic health, and even helping with lowering cholesterol, and lowering blood pressure for some. Although they are not an overnight magic bullet, weight loss injections have been proven effective for weight loss in countless studies.
Considering all of this, it’s also important to note the common side effects and risks involved with taking weight loss medication – mild side effects such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea are common, which typically lessens over time. While severe reactions are rare, it’s important to talk to your doctor if a weight loss injection is right for you.
Those with thyroid issues (such as hypothyroidism) should use caution or perhaps avoid taking weight loss injections all together. Weight loss medications may interact with thyroid hormone levels or the medications used to manage these conditions. Talk to your doctor about the risks involved.
How to Choose the Best Weight Loss Injection for You
There are a couple of important factors to consider to be qualified to use weight loss injections: your Body Mass Index (BMI) is greater than 30 or your BMI is greater than 27 with a serious medical issue, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Have an in-depth discussion with your doctor on whether a weight loss injection is appropriate for you when diet and lifestyle shifts alone are not helping you lose and keep off weight.
How Forum Health Can Help
Forum Health offers integrative medicine treatments to help you achieve healthy weight loss for the long-term. We offer GLP-1 weight loss injections to help reduce appetite, slow digestion, and support a healthy diet for gradual, safe weight loss. We know that just a prescription isn’t enough – so our expert team pairs medications with accountability health coaching and lifestyle and nutrition optimization so you can maintain your results and love the way you look and feel! We offer 1-1 personalized plans and specialized care to meet you where you are and to help you achieve your unique goals.
Schedule a consultation to learn more about our highly-effective medical weight loss program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the top FDA-approved weight loss injections?
There are many weight loss injections out there right now. It’s important to do your research and speak to your doctor on whether weight loss injections are right for you. Some of the top-rated, FDA-approved weight loss injections include: Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound (tirzepatide), and Saxenda (liraglutide).
How do GLP-1 receptor agonists work for weight loss?
GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide 1. After eating, as blood sugar levels rise, these medications stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. Simultaneously, they suppress the hunger hormone ghrelin, leading to lower blood sugar, reduced appetite, and a slower rate of stomach emptying.
What are the side effects of weight loss injections?
Common side effects that typically subside over time include: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or abdominal pain. Major risks are not common, however, if you have a health condition like type 1 diabetes or any thyroid issues, always consult your doctor to discuss if this treatment is right for you.
Can weight loss injections be combined with other treatments?
Weight loss injections are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Regarding other medications, the best thing to do is consult with your doctor. Certain medications, such as treatments for thyroid disorders, may interact with weight loss drugs and are not suitable for use.
How much do weight loss injections cost?
Although effective, weight loss drugs are not always covered by insurance and can be expensive, sometimes more than $1,000 a month. Ask your insurance company about coverage.
