Exploring the New Wave of Weight Loss Drugs

Posted September 16, 2024

The landscape of weight loss treatment is evolving, with new medications providing effective tools for managing obesity. However, the integration of these drugs into a personalized treatment plan, guided by a medical professional, is essential for sustainable success. 

Weight loss drugs are not a new concept. In fact, they have been around for decades and have proven helpful in certain circumstances.

The newer medications that are often in the media are glucagon-like peptides, or GLP-1 receptor agonists. The most famous type of this medication was semaglutide. A study came out in 2021 that showed an average weight loss of about 22% of the patient's total body weight over 40 months with this medication. Comparatively, the average weight loss post-bariatric surgery is 30 to 35% on average a year after surgery. Before this group of medications, patients could expect an 8-9% average weight loss at best with other weight loss drugs.

Initially used for diabetes management, GLP-1s have shown remarkable efficacy in weight loss by mimicking the action of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which has several effects that contribute to weight loss. GLP-1 drugs act on the brain to reduce appetite and increase feelings of fullness. This leads to a decrease in food intake. They also slow down the emptying of the stomach, which helps you feel full longer after eating. GLP-1 drugs enhance insulin secretion in response to meals and suppress glucagon secretion. This helps to stabilize blood sugar levels, which can reduce cravings for high-sugar foods. Finally, some studies suggest that GLP-1 drugs may increase energy expenditure, contributing to weight loss.

There have been some reports that patients will need to stay on this type of medication for life. Not necessarily. Once at target weight, a physician can slowly taper off the medication, and the patient can evaluate their cravings. If they are still maintaining their weight, they can stop the medication. However, if the drug is tapered off and cravings come back in a fury, then the patient will most likely be on the medicine for a lifetime.

The most common side effects of GLP-1s are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and dyspepsia. Anyone with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer should not take this medication. Overall, there are very few major contraindications to this drug.

It is important to keep in mind, that although new medications offer significant benefits, their use should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan. This includes dietary adjustments, exercise and ongoing medical supervision to ensure the best outcomes for patients.

As research advances, the hope is that more individuals struggling with weight loss can find effective, long-term solutions tailored to their unique needs.

To learn more about your weight management options at Summa Health, visit summahealth.org/weightloss.