There has been claim after claim that there are injections available which can help people to lose weight fast. Whether its influencers on TikTok showing off their leaner physiques or your friends chatting about buzz treatments like Saxenda and Wegovy, weight loss injections have become the latest weight loss trend to take the world by storm. In fact, injectables like Ozempic and Wegovy have become so popular that the US F.D.A. has listed both Ozempic and Wegovy as two of dozens of medications in short supply, with diabetics who need it having trouble getting access to it.
Wherever you’ve heard of it, we should always know what we might be potentially taking, and what the drug does to our bodies. Let’s take a closer look at weight loss injections, and what they do.
Saxenda is the branded name of the substance called liraglutide, an injectable prescription medication used for the treatment of obesity in adults. Saxenda weight loss Singapore works by regulating the hormones your body produces that regulate feelings of hunger, called GLP-1. GLP-1 regulates appetite, which helps patients take in less calories, resulting in weight loss.
Saxenda is usually administered once per day using a pre-filled injection pen, which delivers the drug into the skin. While it tends to be well tolerated, there are some people who cannot use Saxenda. Those with a family history of thyroid cancers should not take the treatment, as it may trigger thyroid tumours. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to do either, are also unsuitable. Finally, those who have a history of problems with either their kidney or pancreas should avoid Saxenda.
Saxenda is generally safe, and well-tolerated by most individuals. However, some people might experience mild side effects, like nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in the blood.
Semaglutide has been found to be effective in dealing with obesity and triggering weight loss in the body. Used in the name brand injectable called Ozempic, semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally used for the purpose of treating Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and regulating insulin levels. This drug also imitates a hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is naturally occurring in your intestines.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 helps the body to send signals to the brain that that it is full, prompting the body to empty at a lower pace. Patients who use Ozempic will feel full faster, and help them to lose weight and deal with their obesity issues.
Semaglutide is generally safe, and well-tolerated by most individuals. Mild side effects are similar to liraglutide users, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood.
However, those with a family history of thyroid cancers should not take the treatment, as it may trigger thyroid tumours. Additionally, those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to do either, should not use Ozempic. Should you have a history of problems with either your kidney or pancreas, it is recommended that you avoid weight loss injections.
In a very small number of people, weight loss injections can cause serious side effects like pancreatic inflammation, changes in vision, kidney problems, and gall bladder problems.
Similar to Ozempic, Wegovy is a semaglutide-based injectable that can help reduce weight. Both are manufactured by the same company. Wegovy uses the same mechanisms as it also belongs to the class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists, originally used for the purpose of treating Type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and regulating insulin levels. Using Glucagon-like peptide-1 creates the double effect of lower blood sugar levels and appetite, resulting in weight loss for the patient.
While Wegovy and Ozempic are the same in essence, Wegovy is available in slightly higher doses: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg pens. On the other hand, Ozempic is available in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1.0 mg pens. There is also the distinction that Ozempic is meant for diabetics and the prevention of major cardiovascular problems in patients, while Wegovy is approved for weight loss by the US F.D.A.
Both Wegovy and Ozempic are meant to be used as an add on to a controlled diet and increased physical activity in those that take them. With reduced caloric intake and a proper physical regiment, Wegovy tends to be effective for adults who have a BMI of 27 or more with one weight-related comorbid condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, or adults with a BMI of 30 or more.
Mounjaro is the branded name of tirzepatide, a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist-injectable approved by the FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 and GIP are hormones that contribute to blood sugar and appetite control – when injected into the bloodstream, they produce a feeling of satiety and slow down digestion. While Mounjaro is not FDA-approved for weight loss and not conventionally prescribed for that purpose, patients on Mounjaro eventually experienced a drop in weight too.
In a 2022 clinical trial, non-diabetic individuals with obesity administered with once-weekly 5mg doses of tirzepatide experienced a 15% reduction of bodyweight, compared to the control group who lost an average of 3.1%. Diabetic individuals who take tirzepatide will also lose a significant amount of weight, as demonstrated by a 2023 meta analysis.
Losing weight healthily needs proper guidance and customised plans tailored to each unique individual. If you want to find ways to help improve your obesity condition, you should consider a detailed examination by our qualified doctors, who will then customise a suitable treatment plan based on your skin type and condition.
If you are seeking to lose weight in a safe and sustainable manner, SL Aesthetic Clinic can provide you with the necessary diagnosis and treatment to work toward your ideal aesthetic look. Call us now at 6235 3246, or Whatsapp us at 9850 7112.
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