Simple and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to identify the unadjusted and adjusted association (adjusted for age, gender and ethnicity) between percentage weight loss (centered at 5%) and the mean percentage dose reductions of anti-diabetic medications (sulfonylureas, insulin, and all classes combined) for the total cohort. The decision to alter the dose of or discontinue medications for weight-sensitive conditions was based upon the clinical judgment of the treating physician, taking into account relevant markers of control of the underlying condition (e.g., symptoms and signs, fingerstick and fasting blood glucose measurement, HbA1c). Among overweight or obese patients with type 2 diabetes, intentional weight loss of 7–14% was typically required for full discontinuation of at least one anti-diabetic medication. For every 5% weight loss, predicted dose reductions were sulphonylureas, 39%; insulin, 42%; and any anti-diabetic medications, 49%. Being overweight or obese is the second biggest cause of cancer in the UK, causing more than one in 20 cancer cases, according to the NHS. The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Malaga. People in the semaglutide trial also experienced problems with gallstones. Patients on Mounjaro (tirzepatide) lost the most weight and faster, reducing body weight by 15% after one year.Orlistat should not be used in patients with cholestasis or chronic malabsorption syndromes.Currently, there are several different classes of drugs available to control blood glucose and effects on weight vary among the classes (Table1).NHS certified education, meal plans and coaching shown to support weight loss and improve HbA1c.They tended to have poorer cardiovascular risk profiles at baseline, and achieved lesser reduction of body weight, blood pressure, and lipid levels (Tables 1, 2 and 3).An asymmetrical funnel plot, however, has several explanations, including true heterogeneity of effect with respect to study size, poor methodological design of small studies (Sterne 2001; Tang 2000; Thornton 2000), and publication bias.In patients with diabetes being treated with liraglutide 3.0 mg, responders lost 8.5% of their weight at the end of 1 year, compared to a 3.1% weight loss in nonresponders (13). Can Non-Diabetics Take These Medications for Weight Loss? While you're taking diabetes medications, you should also check with your doctor before starting anything new—even over-the-counter items. For example, metformin and a DPP-4 inhibitor may be used together shortly after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes to help keep blood glucose levels at goal. Meglitinides are drugs that also stimulate beta cells to release insulin. Because of the way they work, side effects of BASs can include flatulence and constipation, and they can interact with the absorption of other medications taken at the same time. Research has shown that if you stop taking Ozempic (or Wegovy), it's likely that you will gain back the weight you lost. Ozempic has a smaller dose of semaglutide than Wegovy. It also slows digestion by increasing the time it takes for food to leave the body. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adults with type 2 diabetes. But what does the research say about this use of the drug? It’s also a good idea to avoid or limit alcohol while taking semaglutide. Your healthcare team can determine which interactions potentially affect you and how to manage them. As mentioned above, this effect may only be a concern within the first several months of treatment. Regardless, there are steps you can take to help you meet your health goals. Or maybe it’s related to a health issue your prescriber warned you about. Perhaps, it’s wanting to improve your body image. There’s not a body out there that’s better than your own. However, these were most frequently reported during the dose escalation period, with the side effects decreasing over time. Most side effects are generally mild and temporary. Some people may be prescribed 1 or 2 milligrams. There are no approved generic versions of Wegovy, despite what you may see advertised. Both of these drugs belong to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. The FDA carefully evaluates medications before approving them for specific uses, including weight loss. Diabetes medications can be powerful tools for weight loss, but they are not magic pills. Some diabetes medications can also help improve metabolism, which is the process by which the body burns calories. By altering the way the brain responds, these medications help people make healthier food choices without feeling deprived. The results showed that within a year of stopping, participants regained about two-thirds of the weight they had lost. However, if they are severe or do not go away, a doctor may adjust the dosage or suggest other treatments. These side effects are usually mild but can still be uncomfortable. Diabetes medications, especially GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, have gained attention for their ability to help with weight loss. The length of time someone needs to take diabetes medications for weight loss varies from person to person. For some, weight loss medications are like blood pressure or cholesterol medications—they may need to be taken long-term to manage a chronic condition. The SURPASS-2 clinical trial compared tirzeparide to semaglutide head to head. But so far, data shows taking tirzepatide may improve blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. Benefits related to your heart health are still being studied. Tirzepatide is the first such drug that's made it to market. Exenatide extended-release has been shown in studies to cause thyroid tumors in animals, but it's not yet known if it can cause thyroid cancer in people. The calculation takes into account your sex, race, and age, as well as if you smoke or have diabetes, and what your blood pressure is. But some people have side effects, which can include headache, having a hard time sleeping, or flushing of the skin. Even if you have one or more of these risk factors, it doesn't mean that you're destined to develop obesity. But as you age, hormonal changes and a less active lifestyle increase your risk of obesity. Semaglutide injection also slows the emptying of the stomach and may decrease appetite and cause weight loss.Before taking any medication, consult your doctor.Aphaia doses first subject in second phase II obesity treatment trial.Moreover, liraglutide 3.0 mg resulted in 29 to 47 % more of the liraglutide participants attaining a ≥5 % weight loss when compared against placebo participants and 32.5 % more being able to maintain significant weight loss after a lifestyle intervention (Table 2) 50, 51••.There’s also a similar class of medications called dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists.Liraglutide was not only more effective at weight loss maintenance but also stimulated an additional 6.0 % greater weight loss than control groups in 56 weeks of medicinal treatment post-lifestyle intervention 51••.Data from clinical trials show average one-year weight-losses with these agents; the percentage of subjects losing sufficient body weight (≥ 5%) was 35–73% with orlistat, 38–48% with lorcaserin, 45–70% with phentermine/topiramate, 36–57% with naltrexone/bupropion, and 51–73% with liraglutide 8, 26,27,28,29,30,31,32. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), the first and only once-weekly GLP-1 therapy for weight management, approved in the US. Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. Talk to your healthcare team to see if semaglutide is a good fit for your treatment plan. It was the first once-weekly GLP-1 approved for weight loss and has shown greater weight loss results in clinical trials. Moreover, acarbose has been shown to lengthen the lives of T2DM patients and lessen their chance of developing cardiovascular diseases 35,36,37. Metformin’s ability to prevent weight gain brought on by antipsychotics in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder was supported by the meta-analysis . In total, 86 people with newly diagnosed T2DM were randomly assigned to receive either gliclazide, metformin, or acarbose for 6 months by Wang et al. . The primary mechanism of action of the biguanide, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter proteins-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. Studies that have not explored the weight effect of T2DM agents on subjects were excluded. Novo Nordisk files for US FDA regulatory approval of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management. While it can work well for many people, semaglutide isn’t right for everyone. Talk to your healthcare team about long-term safety and whether this type of treatment is right for you. But because they’re still relatively new, researchers are still learning about potential long-term side effects and risks. The research found that once-daily oral semaglutide 50 mg resulted in superior and clinically meaningful weight loss of 15.1% compared with placebo when used alongside diet and physical activity in adults with overweight or obesity without T2D. Once-Daily Oral Semaglutide Shown Effective For Weight Loss Oral semaglutide is available at 14 mg for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D); however, the OASIS 1 study is the first time it has been investigated for both the treatment of obesity and at the higher 50 mg dose. One small study in people with Type 2 diabetes showed that taking 1,500 mg of curcumin daily reduced weight and blood sugar. More recently, GLP-1 receptor agonists have been trialled in people with obesity. It works in a similar way to just semaglutide, but may offer better glycemic control and higher weight-loss outcomes. This drug is again a once-a-week injection that combines the long-acting amylin analogue, cagrilintide, with semaglutide. Common GLP-1 Receptor Agonists Metformin has been shown to reduce weight, as compared with sulfonylureas, in meta-analysis.10 Metformin, when used as cotherapy, also mitigates the weight gain seen with sulfonylureas and repaglinide.11 The combined use of metformin and the thiazolidinediones shows controversial results related to weight gain. Systematic reviews5,6 and meta-analysis have concluded that pioglitazone and rosiglitazone lead to weight gain. Insulin detemir provides weight control along with glycemic control. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are considered weight-neutral. Since we identified a sufficient number of randomized trials, we only included this study design in the review for efficacy. In our protocol we indicated that we would include additional comparative study designs if we had found an insufficient number of randomized, controlled trials. Randomized controlled trials only were included in the review of efficacy as these minimize the potential effects of bias on our results. Obesity may be viewed as a chronic disease (NIH 1985); Greenway (Greenway 1999) suggests that obesity should therefore be treated as such and that optimal management may require long‐term pharmacotherapy. Of U.S. adults over age 20, 8.6% have diabetes, of whom one‐third are undiagnosed (U.S. DHHS 2002). Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes may have had obesity for longer and be older than people with obesity in general and may be less adherent to exercise, which seems to potentiate the effects of GLP-1 RA. Moreover, severely altered microbiome in patients with obesity and diabetes as well as a genetic background that predispose to weight gain in this population might also be considered as potential contributors . Second, a decrease in glycusoria and subsequently less weight loss in patients with diabetes might also contribute the population-based difference in efficacy. However, the background therapy and the fear of hypoglycaemia do not explain the differential effect of GLP-1 RA in patients treated with metformin or SGLP-2 inhibitors because these drugs do not promote hypoglycaemia or weight gain. Until recently, the treatment gap existed in the therapeutic strategy to achieve ≥ 10 to ≥ 15% of weight loss, which leads to significant health benefits. We present the effectiveness of dulaglutide in weight loss from the AWARD clinical trials on uncontrolled T2DM in this review 147,148. In high-risk individuals, such as those with obesity-related cardiovascular and chronic renal illnesses, it exhibits positive outcomes 144,145. A statistically significant average weight loss of 5.52 kg with liraglutide in overweight persons was found to be effective and safe . In addition, five randomized clinical studies with 1758 people randomly assigned to placebo and 2996 participants receiving liraglutide were included in a systemic review and meta-analysis . Although it was less effective than the phentermine/topiramate combination, liraglutide showed superior weight loss results versus orlistat and lorcaserin 140,141. Hence, it may be reasonable to hypothesize that greater magnitudes of weight loss may be required for the participants in this group to discontinue anti-diabetic medications when compared to the participants in the other BMI categories. They tended to have poorer cardiovascular risk profiles at baseline, and achieved lesser reduction of body weight, blood pressure, and lipid levels (Tables 1, 2 and 3). 44% of these patients with type 2 diabetes successfully discontinued one or more of their anti-diabetes medications. The high magnitude of weight loss is not necessarily surprising given that this sample was selected to identify those patients who were successful enough in their lifestyle changes to be able to lower the dose or discontinue at least one anti-diabetic medication. CMHC 2025 ANNUAL MEETING: A Focus on Sessions II. Obesity/ Lifestyle and III. Diabetes Management Pramlintide is an analog of human amylin that is approved for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who have not achieved desired glucose control despite the use of mealtime insulin. We briefly describe below several additional options that may be considered for weight loss in patients with diabetes but have either not been formally approved for this purpose or do not have sufficient data in patients with type 2 diabetes. In patients with type 2 diabetes, orlistat reduces A1C by ∼0.3–0.5% when used in combination with oral antidiabetes medications or insulin (38–40). Among patients with impaired glucose tolerance at baseline, the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes was reduced by 45% compared to the placebo group (37). But prevention and treatment are not the same thing.” Part 1 focused on changes in how obesity is assessed, along with its causes and complications. Obesity is a complex metabolic condition that can have a negative impact on one's health and even result in mortality. The most common side effects involve the digestive system, such as nausea or delayed gastric motility. GLP-1 receptor agonists are injectable agents, but the possibility of once-weekly injections may make them more attractive to patients and increase adherence, while oral options are the focus of intensive research, although not likely to be available for some years 70,71. For a patient who needs to avoid weight gain or to lose weight, metformin, any of the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, bile-acid sequestrants, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are weight-neutral 42, and should therefore not offset any lifestyle changes the patient makes. Although these therapies are effective in reducing HbA1c, many can lead to unwanted weight gain, which could offset the benefits. The Look AHEAD study also seemed to support this premise in that the intensive lifestyle intervention group had a significantly lower incidence of potentially significant symptoms of depression 66. Although there are an increasing number of pharmacotherapy options available to help control glycaemia in patients with T2DM, improvement with diet and exercise offers several potential benefits over pharmacotherapy. Currently, most private health plans are not required to cover medications for weight loss, but some do so voluntarily and most cover drugs with the same active ingredients for diabetes treatment. Meanwhile, in the 2021 ADA guideline, it was announced that GLP-1 RAs are preferred over insulin because of their high efficacy and safety.55 Once-daily subcutaneous administration of liraglutide and once-weekly semaglutide therapy were approved as anti-diabetic medications.56,57 Consequently, higher doses of both were developed for the treatment of obesity as well as glucose control in people with or without T2D.13,58 Liraglutide 3.0 mg is currently approved and used in Korea for the treatment of obesity. If the primary reason for lifestyle change to promote weight loss in patients with T2DM is ultimately to help reduce HbA1c and improve other risk factors, it is reasonable to consider the effects of drugs that have a primary effect on body weight rather than glucose control in patients with T2DM. Markedly elevated body weight is a well described risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.1–3 Achieving and maintaining weight loss in this group of patients may result in improved glycemic control and help patients reduce the dosage or number of glucose lowering medications.4,5 In some cases, more substantial weight loss (i.e. ≥10% to 15%) may result in disease remission.6,7 In summary, diabetes medications like semaglutide and liraglutide have proven to be effective for weight loss, especially for people with obesity or weight-related health conditions. When GLP-1 agonists are covered, ACA Marketplace plans almost always employ at least one form of utilization management A pancreatic transplant would help restore blood sugar control. The person receiving the transplant must take medicine for the rest of their life to prevent their body from rejecting the donor's cells. A successful islet cell transplant can improve the quality of life for a person with diabetes. Scientists have had some success with stem cells in type 1 diabetes. It is appropriate to monitor blood sugars during treatment for obesity since dose lowering or elimination of diabetic medicines is often a benefit and is to be expected with weight loss. In the face of an increasing epidemic, worldwide obese and overweight patients deserve effective treatment that prescribing these drugs could provide, if rehabilitated and used more frequently. Nevertheless, semaglutide is expected to be approved in a short period of time for the treatment of obesity, outside the context of diabetes. GLP-1 agonists are pivotal in obesity care, promoting weight loss and addressing related health issues, with a focus on personalized, holistic treatment. The discovery could result in the next generation of drug therapies that bring more efficacious and tolerable treatments for the almost 400 million people globally who live with both type 2 diabetes and obesity. Symlin, or pramlintide, represents a remarkable innovation in diabetes treatment as it replicates the effects of the natural hormone amylin. This emphasizes the variable response individuals may have to Metformin in terms of weight changes, highlighting the importance of personalized treatment plans in the context of diabetes care. Some studies have reported remarkable weight loss outcomes, with individuals with diabetes shedding as much as 13 pounds while using these agonists. This intricate interplay highlights the importance of personalized diabetes treatment plans that take into account the individual's medical history, lifestyle, and weight-related goals. The author has served as a speaker for Eurodrug Laboratories, Akrimax Pharmaceuticals, Vivus Pharmaceuticals, iNova Pharmaceuticals and Radiant Health; and has consulted for CTS Group, Citius Pharmaceuticals, Rodman and Renshaw, GLG Research, Credit Suisse, and WallachBeth Capital LLC. The paradigm should also acknowledge that guidelines should not replace treatment decisions made according to an individual physician’s judgment and the clinical needs of an individual patient. Thus, the treatment paradigm should explicitly acknowledge that the disease is far more dangerous than any of the medicines in current use. The endemic will likely continue to expand unless more attention is given to treating early stage patients and to prevention. This is because these GLP-1 agonists have weight loss effects. Researchers are currently studying the safety and effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists for people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). There are several other types of diabetes medications, like oral (taken by mouth) medications. These combined effects often result in weight loss. In other words, GLP-1 medications bind to GLP receptors to trigger the effects (or roles) of the GLP-1 hormone. The overweight and the obese did not differ significantly with regard to baseline variables. The proportion of patients with hypertension and metabolic syndrome was also significantly higher in the morbidly obese. When the three BMI categories were compared at baseline, the morbidly obese had significantly higher fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HbA1C and serum triglycerides compared to the other two BMI categories (Table 2) (all P-valuesTable 2). Baseline characteristics of the study cohort (study cohort and the 3 BMI categories) are listed in Table 2 and Table S1. Preliminary research shows that berberine may significantly reduce weight, BMI (body mass index) and waist circumference in people with a BMI in the overweight range (25-29.9). Berberine works differently than GLP-1 drugs, which mimic the effects of the GLP-1 hormone to regulate appetite and digestion. Instead, talk to your health care provider about starting Wegovy for weight loss. Ozempic has lower doses of semaglutide and was developed specifically for type 2 diabetes patients. An increasing number of medications are becoming available to help patients control their weight. The trial followed more than 300 participants for up to 64 weeks, and Wharton’s team saw, on average, a nearly 14 percent drop in body weight among people taking the drug. But this medication was intended for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Both are types of GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications that has soared in popularity in recent years and includes the brand name drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. New clinical trials show that orforglipron and another oral drug help people with obesity lose weight. KFF links each drug’s NDC in the dataset to a drug class using the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. Specifically, increased utilization of Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) as well as Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have contributed substantially to recent growth. However, GLP-1s accounted for over 8% of all Medicaid prescription drug spending before rebates in 2024 (up from 1% in 2019). North Carolina eliminated GLP-1 coverage beginning October 2025 due to a budget stalemate in the legislature, but coverage was reinstated in December 2025, bringing the total number of states covering GLP-1s for obesity to 13 as of January 2026. Diabetes medications can affect weight in a few different ways. Those could change the way other medications you're taking work or cause you to take too much of a drug without realizing it. Fasting can be a practical way to lose weight because it's fairly straightforward, but it's not a mainstream treatment for type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery is generally an option when your BMI is at least 35 if you have a weight-related health problem such as diabetes. If someone stops the medication, they need to be prepared with a long-term weight maintenance plan involving healthy eating and regular exercise to avoid regaining weight. This is why doctors often recommend continuing the medication long-term, similar to how blood pressure or cholesterol medications are used for ongoing management. Studies show that non-diabetic patients tend to lose more weight than diabetic patients using the same medication. Not everyone who takes these medications loses the same amount of weight. In this article, you will learn about diabetes and its effect on the body. Semaglutide injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, reduce appetite and slow digestion, resulting in significant weight loss. Insulin resistance is a critical factor in developing diabetes, and excess weight can cause it. This can make hunger return, leading to an increase in food intake and, eventually, weight regain.However, the two companies coordinating the preliminary trails for amylin/leptin completed a commercial assessment that ended in the decision to halt future research which disallows any firm conclusions to be made in regard to the efficacy and cardiometabolic safety of this type of medication.Tirzepatide was added to insulin glargine patients with or without metformin in SURPASS-5, a double-blinded, randomized, phase 3 experiment .“Although most people experience this as a positive, I have occasionally seen people struggle emotionally as their relationship with food changes significantly.”Under the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, Medicaid programs must cover nearly all of a participating manufacturer’s FDA-approved drugs for medically accepted indications.Relying solely on medications without addressing underlying habits may lead to the regain of lost weight once the drugs are discontinued. The FDA hasn’t approved GLP-1 agonists for the treatment of T1D. Together, you and your healthcare provider will determine a treatment plan that works best for you. GLP-1 agonist medications work by mimicking this hormone. There’s currently one of these medications on the market. The study also evaluated the safety profile of survodutide. The study included a 20-week rapid, bi-weekly dose escalation phase, followed by a 26-week maintenance phase. More than 100 million Americans currently live with obesity, and the number is steadily climbing. Increased glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion may be involved in antidiabetic effects of ginsenosides. If losing weight or maintaining your current weight is a part of your diabetes management plan, this may be frustrating. It can be common to gain weight after starting insulin. Rosiglitazone and pioglitazone belong to the thiazolidinediones (TZDs) class of drugs. This class of drugs includes glyburide, glipizide and glimepiride. Sulfonylurea, are a class of drug sometimes prescribed alongside another medication, like metformin. Scientific American spoke to experts to help sort through the drugs that are available or on the horizon. The latest entrant, Zepbound, recently joined Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza and others in a growing class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. The Mayo Clinic Diet now supports your journey with a special Companion program for weight-loss medication. Short-term benefits must be weighed against potential side effects and long-term health implications. Some individuals may be tempted to exceed recommended dosages in the pursuit of faster results, increasing the risk of addiction and severe side effects. What the new nutrition guidelines get wrong about fat It’s an injectable medication that mimics GLP-1 but blocks GIP. People taking a placebo lost only about 1% during the same time. Its 78-week, phase 3 study is actively underway. Many people who take these medications lose weight because they eat less and feel full longer. These drugs work by affecting the body’s hormones, reducing hunger, slowing digestion, and improving insulin use. Research has shown that many people regain weight after discontinuing GLP-1 medications. Studies show that weight regain is common after discontinuing medications like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda). Doctors usually monitor blood sugar levels in non-diabetics who take these medications to make sure they remain within a healthy range. And they have more than just glucose-lowering benefits. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists have been widely discussed in healthcare and news circles over the past few years. They can be used along with — or in place of — metformin for certain people. For example, some are approved by the FDA for up to 12 weeks.These drugs are generally taken one to two times a day before meals.That will send too much of the drug into your system too quickly.When you take a GLP-1 medication, your body makes more GLP-1, which naturally decreases your appetite and makes you feel fuller.Not everyone who takes a statin will have side effects, but some things can increase your risk of side effects with statins.Participants who had weight data in the 72-week window were similar to those who did not (Table S4).However, individuals with type 1 diabetes must rely on insulin for blood glucose (blood sugar) management. Use shared decision-making when considering weight-loss medications in a treatment plan. “Anti-obesity medications may play a role in bridging the gap between what we can achieve with lifestyle treatments and more invasive procedures like bariatric surgery,” said Dr. S. Yanovski in a recent interview. However, experts recommend prescribing diabetes medications that also help manage weight, including Yanovski noted that on average, people undergoing intensive lifestyle intervention may lose 5% to 9% of their body weight within the first year, but not everyone experiences this much weight loss. These drugs help insulin work better in the muscle and fat and reduce glucose production in the liver. In lab studies, GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide helped retinal cells survive stress that usually damages them in diabetes . These drugs mimic a natural hormone that tells your body to make insulin when needed, slows digestion and helps keep appetite in check. Weight-loss medications work in various ways to help you lose weight and maintain weight loss long term. FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight. Achieved 20.7% weight loss in the STEP UP obesity trial, and 18.7% regardless of treatment adherence. These side effects are generally mild and temporary.Unexplained weight loss is a noticeable drop in body weight when you’re not trying to lose weight.As with routine exercise and a diabetes-friendly diet, they’re better to be used as a sidekick to your other medications.If you’re interested in taking a vitamin or supplement to lower your blood sugar, talk with your pharmacist or prescriber.Diabetes medications should be reviewed ahead of planned weight-loss interventions to help ensure maximal effectiveness of the intervention.A class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists, which includes Ozempic (semaglutide), has been used to treat type 2 diabetes for over a decade.Tom has type 2 diabetes and takes Ozempic®.Tom also has known heart disease. A very small percentage of patients get pancreatitis, that's one of the major side effects. And these medications are pretty effective at reducing hunger. And the hunger response to that weight loss is really what makes the weight come back. These encouraging data support the further study of survodutide in larger Phase III trials.” By activating both the glucagon and GLP-1 receptors, survodutide may both inhibit appetite and improve energy expenditure, thereby helping to treat the disease of obesity. Tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that works by mimicking the action of a gut hormone called GLP-1, which helps to suppress appetite and control blood sugar levels. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are chronic medical conditions that require long-term management. It’s important to remember that these medicines work while you take them, so the benefit of reduced cravings won’t persist once the medicine is no longer circulating in your body. Clinically, many patients do report a reduction in their interest in alcohol — and that’s a type of craving. Obesity is chronic, so when we start a medication, we have to plan for it long-term. It’s a subcutaneous injection, so you can do it in your upper thigh, in your abdomen, or in your arm, and it’s a tiny needle that is just enough to poke the skin — so it’s not too bothersome for people. This multifaceted approach not only helps manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes but also contributes to significant weight loss in many patients. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several injectable diabetes medications for weight loss. The HbA1c concentration improved from baseline to week 68 in those who received semaglutide 2.4 mg by –1.6% (standard error, 0.1).13 Patients who achieved a ≥10% reduction in their baseline body weight at week 68 with semaglutide 2.4 mg totaled 45.6%, and the proportion of patients who took semaglutide 2.4 mg and achieved HbA1c levels of ≤6.5% was 67.5%.13 The results showed that both the glucose-lowering effect and weight loss were as meaningful as seen with metabolic surgery. In summary, the newer generation anti-obesogenic medications reviewed in this study frequently resulted in placebo-subtracted weight losses of approximately 3.0 to 9.0 kg. Since the 1930s, the majority of anti-obesity medications that were once approved have been withdrawn from the market due to adverse effects and threat to public health 3, 7. However, for many, it may be too late to improve hyperglycemia through weight loss alone (16), and not all individuals with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Achieving this level of weight loss appears to be difficult because it requires intense interventions, including energy restriction, regular physical activity, and very frequent contact with health professionals. Additionally, compared to people without diabetes, it appears more difficult for those with diabetes to lose weight. Both included regular physical activity and frequent contact with health professionals and reported significant beneficial effects on A1C, lipids, and blood pressure. The mechanism of weight reduction, by increasing urinary excretion of glucose, has created the perception that the weight reduction may be via water loss as well as lost calories, but studies have shown reductions in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue 74,75. Weight gain was indeed higher in the intensive-therapy group, with mean weight gain at 3 years of 3.5 and 0.4 kg in the respective groups, and weight gain of more than 10 kg more frequent in the intensive-therapy group 48, suggesting that weight change might have contributed to the increased risk. Although more events occurred in the randomised sibutramine group, weight loss of approximately 3 kg during the first 6 weeks appeared to offset this increased event rate 47. Furthermore, people with type 2 diabetes may have had obesity for longer and be older than people with obesity in general and may be less adherent to exercise, which seems to potentiate the effects of GLP-1 RA.The role of pramlintide for weight loss.This reinforces the idea that you really need to treat obesity as you would any other chronic disease.After your provider finds the cause, they’ll work with you to determine the best treatment.Mounjaro’s manufacturer planned to submit the medication for FDA approval for this use by the end of 2025.The most common classes of diabetes medications that can lead to weight loss are GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors.Mechanisms of action, effects on body weight, side effects, and dosing schedule of antidiabetes drug classes Losing just 5 percent of your body weight can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic health issues, Griauzde says. Studies show that the vast majority of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or have obesity. These drugs work by helping the pancreas release the right amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Taking these drugs to lose weight could set you up for some unpleasant side effects, not to mention a blow to your bank account. Besides potential health risks, their increasing use may be contributing to the drugs’ shortage. These weight-loss measurements are lower than those recorded for other GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide, which are reported to result in mean weight reductions of 15–20% and beyond. Results suggest orforglipron leads to significant weight loss, at an average of 7.5% of body weight over 72 weeks for those on a 6mg dose, which increased to 8.4% with 12mg and 11.2% with 36mg, compared with 2.1% with placebo. Jayne Hornung, chief clinical officer at Managed Markets Insight and Technology, suggests initial pricing of oral GLP-1s for weight loss could be “reminiscent of the early days of anti-CGRP medications for migraines … when the first oral CGRP came to market in 2019, the pricing still remained high”. Adding gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists amplifies the gastric effects of GLP-1s, as the higher weight loss promised by the dual action tirzepatide, compared with semaglutide, exemplifies2. However, weight gain is similar with premixed insulin and combination basal/prandial insulin . In meta-analyses, weight gain with insulin analog therapy was found to positively correlate with insulin dosage and to be greater with biphasic (premixed) insulin than with basal insulin alone 48, 76, 78. Compared with most other antihyperglycemia therapies, there is a substantial risk of hypoglycemia with insulin—especially with regimens that include prandial insulin . However, due to gastrointestinal side effects, it had significant withdrawal rates 140,141.No single treatment works for everyone.If weight loss is a part of your diabetes management plan, your diabetes care provider may have suggested you try a GLP-1 or SGLT-2.They can support weight loss but might not be as effective as semaglutide and liraglutide in this regard.Semaglutide (Ozempic) is a treatment for Type 2 diabetes.Obesity may be viewed as a chronic disease (NIH 1985); Greenway (Greenway 1999) suggests that obesity should therefore be treated as such and that optimal management may require long‐term pharmacotherapy.For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. Side effects include abnormal sensations, dizziness, altered taste, insomnia, constipation, and dry mouth. Note that Suprenza contains tartrazine, an ingredient to which some people may have an allergic reaction. It is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, headache, decreased appetite, dyspepsia, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, increased lipase, and renal insufficiency. Curcumin improves glucose tolerance via stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion. Role of GLP-1 in the hypoglycemic effects of wild bitter gourd. Interaction between specific fatty acids, GLP-1 and insulin secretion in humans. Bupropion-naltrexone can raise blood pressure. Like all antidepressants, bupropion carries a warning about suicide risk. Bupropion-naltrexone is a combination drug. It affects the way your body absorbs fat. Mild side effects, such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea, are common. Diabetes medication plays a crucial role in managing the complex and chronic condition of diabetes, which affects millions of individuals worldwide. However, Sky News research into Wegovy and Mounjaro shows delays in the rollout of both weight loss jabs. Wegovy and Mounjaro is available to NHS patients, but only through specialist weight management services. Ozempic is available in the UK for type 2 diabetes patients with a prescription. Dr Yael Wolff Sagy, the study's co-lead author from Clalit Health Services in Tel-Aviv, Israel, said a "direct effect" of the injections was that they were found "to be 41% more effective at preventing obesity-related cancer". The role of pramlintide for weight loss. Amylin as a future obesity treatment. A study of retatrutide (LY ) in participants with obesity and cardiovascular disease (TRIUMPH-3). Aphaia doses first subject in second phase II obesity treatment trial. Results from Amgen's phase 2 obesity study of monthly maritide presented at the American Diabetes Association 85th scientific sessions. If this severe and unexpected weight loss is taking place, talk to your healthcare provider immediately. Phentermine, as described above, has been used for decades for short-term weight loss treatment. Metformin has several mechanisms of action that are believed to be related to weight loss, including stimulating pro-opiomelanocortinin neurons in the hypothalamus, improving leptin and insulin sensitivity, increasing GLP-1 levels, and modulating gut flora (43). In a large, long-term study, people who took metformin lost an average of 5.5 pounds. Some studies have shown that people who take semaglutide (Ozempic) lose an average of 8.4 to 10.4 pounds. Is Ozempic more effective than metformin for weight loss? Researchers think one of the main reasons it works for weight loss is that it affects hormones involved in appetite, leading you to eat less. Metformin does several things in your body, such as reducing how much glucose (sugar) your liver releases into your body. At the full dosage of 2.4 milligrams, you see an average weight loss of about 15% of initial body weight, compared to most obesity drugs where you find a 5-10% weight loss.It is not approved for weight loss, but some physicians prescribe it to be used for weight loss.The Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF are partnering to monitor how well the U.S. healthcare system is performing in terms of quality and cost.So they’re less likely to cause low blood sugar when used on its own.Semaglutide can be a powerful tool for overweight adults.Even if you aren’t taking diabetes medication, it’s important to maintain consistent eating patterns for weight management and blood sugar control.These drugs have been maligned inappropriately because their two-dimensional structure diagrams resemble amphetamine and also because of unproven presumptions about their potential adverse effects.Despite these initial improvements in weight loss, and corresponding improvements in glycaemia and other cardiovascular risk factors, the difference between groups in cardiovascular event rates was lower than expected. And an SGLT2 inhibitor with proven benefits, such as Jardiance, is preferred in people with a history of heart or kidney disease. The most common sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are Farxiga (dapagliflozin), Jardiance (empagliflozin), and Invokana (canagliflozin). Examples include Wegovy (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide). What if I miss a dose? In 2012, Wendy received her Certified Diabetes Educator designation and conducts many diabetes-related medication reviews for both adults and children. To ensure that the medication is fully absorbed, wait 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other medications. Specifically for weight loss, this helps by making you feel full faster and longer, and therefore eat less. In 2005 a synthetic version called exenatide—inspired by a more stable compound found in Gila monster venom—became the first GLP-1 receptor agonist to be approved by the U.S. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and constipation. In rare cases, people have had serious liver injury while taking orlistat. The positive glycaemic influence of lorcaserin is likely weight dependent given that after 2 years of treatment some weight regain occurred, which consequently removed the beneficial effects of lorcaserin on glucose and insulin concentrations 6, 34. Diabetic and pre-diabetic patients using phentermine-topiramate not only achieved clinically significant weight loss but also required fewer additional anti-diabetic drugs when compared against non-users . Medications are also expected to improve the body composition, health risk profile and health-related quality of life (QoL) of patients as otherwise weight management would merely be for aesthetic purposes 10, 11. In past years, these agencies have limited the availability of anti-obesity medications due to public health concerns that frequently overshadow the relatively modest results received from pharmacotherapeutic treatment 4, 5. Recently, several countries have approved some newer generation weight management medications which may be beneficial to combat obesity. Dr. Sikavi helps patients manage the GI side effects of GLP-1 therapy, ensuring they can stay on their treatment path comfortably—Book a consultation with Dr. Sikavi. Some patients also find that integrating a specialized food delivery for weight loss helps maintain these habits during a busy week. When deciding what diabetes medication helps you lose weight most effectively, clinicians analyze clinical trials and the patient's specific metabolic profile. Modern GLP-1 medications mimic natural hormones that stimulate insulin production, slow gastric emptying, and suppress appetite by targeting the brain’s satiety centers. If you wish to receive one of these medications, speak to your local healthcare provider. Studies show patients experience significant weight loss on the drug, but it’s only approved for diabetes, so far. But the medications also help with weight loss, which has made them attractive to people who don’t have diabetes. Like other weight loss medications, there is evidence of weight regain when people stop using Wegovy so it is important to continue to receive support and advice from your healthcare team about your diet and physical activity levels. But some healthcare providers prescribe it off-label. One type of oral medication, metformin, is the go-to medication for treating T2D. This is because GlP-1 agonists help lower blood sugar levels. Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without Diabetes. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide once weekly in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. A study of Tirzepatide (LY ) compared with Dulaglutide on major cardiovascular events in participants with Type 2 Diabetes (SURPASS-CVOT). If you’re not sure whether Wegovy or Mounjaro is right for you, talk to your healthcare team. Wegovy has additional approved uses that Mounjaro doesn’t. These medications mainly lower blood sugar when it is high, so they do not typically cause dangerously low levels. For people without diabetes, the risk of severe hypoglycemia is low when taking GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors. They provide effective weight loss without the invasiveness of surgery but still require long-term commitment to healthy habits for the best results. Each person’s weight loss journey is unique, and the best approach depends on individual needs and health conditions. These drugs are generally considered safe, but they do have possible side effects. But we need more research to really understand the differences over the long term and how taking either one of these drugs affects your health. The side effects of both drugs also were similar. They generally lessen over time and with proper use of the drug.SGLT2i and GLP-1 RAs may have other advantages when used in diabetes treatment; there is emerging evidence that they may reduce visceral, particularly hepatic, fat deposition .Still, a lot of people don't want to take an injectable medication, said Dr. Shauna Levy, an obesity medicine physician and medical director of Tulane's Bariatric and Weight Loss Center.It is well established that a modest weight loss of 5 to 10 % can decrease many weight-related cardiometabolic risk factors such as elevated glycaemic markers, abnormal blood lipids, increased uric acid concentrations and hypertension 4, 5.We need more data on the long-term effects and other outcomes related to cardiovascular health, particularly in lower-risk individuals.Read on to learn more about when to consider weight-loss medications, which medications are preferred for people with type 2 diabetes, and how to incorporate them into diabetes care. When used as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention, these agents may help individuals sustain weight loss for a longer period of time. For some, this may lead to weight loss, while for others, it may maintain weight loss or prevent weight gain. Similar results were reported from another study in Sweden, in which 1,658 obese people underwent metabolic surgery and 1,771 obese people received usual care (11). Ten-year data from the SOS trial, which included 407 morbidly obese people who underwent metabolic surgery and matched control subjects, showed that the incidence of diabetes was 7% in the metabolic surgery group and 24% in the control group (10). The drug is intended for people who are overweight (a body mass index greater than 27) with one or more obesity-related medical conditions or people with a BMI of 30 or greater. “It’s great for people taking these medications for diabetes or obesity. UCLA health experts urge people who wish to lose weight to fully understand their treatment choices before seeking a prescription for semaglutide. Fluoxetine, orlistat, and sibutramine can achieve statistically significant weight loss over 12 to 57 weeks. Obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes and long-term weight reduction is an important part of the care delivered to obese persons with diabetes. Obesity is closely related to type 2 diabetes and weight reduction is an important part of the care delivered to obese persons with diabetes. Both clinicians stressed the importance of understanding the psychological side of attitudes towards food and weight loss.