What’s the Buzz on Liraglutide, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide?
Weight loss medications have been a hot topic in the news and amongst health experts and weight loss discussion groups. Here’s some important information to know.
What are Liraglutide, Orforglipron, Semaglutide, and Tirzepatide?
These medications are in the same drug class – incretin mimetics, more commonly known as GLP-1 receptor agonists (GIP/GLP-1 for tirzepatide). Some of these medications were originally developed to treat people with type 2 diabetes but were later found to help with weight loss. Here’s a list of the products for diabetes and those indicated for weight loss:
| Generic Drug Name | Brand Name (Type 2 Diabetes) | Brand Name (Weight Loss) |
|---|---|---|
| Liraglutide | Victoza® | Saxenda® |
| Orforglipron | None | Foundayo® |
| Semaglutide | Ozempic® | Wegovy® |
| Tirzepatide | Mounjaro® | Zepbound® |
Although the similar products used for diabetes and weight loss contain the same drug, they have different approved uses, dosages, and differ in how they are covered by prescription insurance.
How do these medications help with weight management?
Liraglutide, orforglipron semaglutide, and tirzepatide work by helping to release the right amount of insulin from your pancreas and allowing your body to use sugar better. It also works by making you feel full faster, so you don’t eat as much. When you don’t eat as much, you lose weight and blood sugar levels go down. For those who live with excess weight or obesity, weight loss leads to numerous health benefits.
Who should use these medications for weight loss?
Incretin mimetics are generally used for people who are obese or are overweight and have a weight-related condition such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol. Although successful for weight loss, they should also be used along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise program.
Liraglutide and semaglutide injection are also approved for kids 12 years of age and older who are diagnosed with obesity by their provider and are to be used in addition to diet and exercise.
How are liraglutide, orforglipron, semaglutide, and tirzepatide used for weight loss and how well do they work?
These medications are effective at helping with weight loss when coupled with diet and exercise. In general, these medications produce weight loss in a range of 5-21% when used as directed. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, your weight loss would be in the range of 10-42 lbs. Note that these medications are given by injection on a specific schedule – daily or weekly.
| Medication | How is it used and how often? | How much weight can I expect to lose? |
|---|---|---|
| Liraglutide |
By injection, once daily |
reported as 8% in a clinical study |
| Orforglipron | By mouth, once daily (with or without food) | reported as 11- 12.4% in clinical studies |
| Semaglutide | By injection, weekly | reported as 14.9% in clinical studies |
| Semaglutide | By mouth, once daily | reported as 13.6% in a clinical study |
| Tirzepatide | By injection, weekly | reported as 20.9% in a clinical study |
Summary
Some GLP-1 medications were initially approved for the management of blood glucose in people with Type 2 diabetes. But now they are also approved for weight loss in combination with diet and exercise, in certain individuals. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these weight loss medications to see if they are right for you.