Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss Medications: Saxenda, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound Explained
Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss Medications: Saxenda, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound Explained
Introduction
Are you wondering which weight loss medication works best? Do you need to take them weekly or daily? What are their costs, and will insurance cover them? How do they work, and what side effects can you expect?
Read on to learn more about the differences among the most effective weight loss medications: Saxenda, Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
Saxenda (Liraglutide)
Overview
Dosage: 0.6 mg to 3.0 mg daily - a daily injection
Average Weight Loss: 6.0% body weight in 1 year
Cost: $107.92 per week without insurance
Mechanism of Action: Slows gastric emptying, decreases food intake, increases insulin secretion, decreases glucagon secretion, and increases B-cell growth
Approval: BMI > 30 or BMI > 27 with at least one weight-related health condition
Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, constipation, etc.
Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.
Wegovy (Semaglutide)
Overview
Dosage: 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly - a weekly injection
Average Weight Loss: 12.4% body weight in 1 year
Cost: $404.71 per week without insurance
Mechanism of Action: Acts in the brain to regulate appetite and caloric intake
Approval: BMI > 30 or > 27 with a condition
Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, constipation, etc.
Severe Risks: Kidney injury, thyroid cancer, etc.
Ozempic (Semaglutide)
Overview
Dosage: 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly - a weekly injection
Average Weight Loss: 12.4% body weight in 1 year
Cost: $374.31 per week without insurance
Mechanism of Action: Similar to Wegovy
Approval: Type 2 diabetes (not for weight loss alone)
Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, nausea, etc.
Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.
Zepbound (Tirzepatide)
Overview
Dosage: 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly - a weekly injection
Average Weight Loss: 18% body weight in 72 weeks
Cost: $317.96 per week without insurance
Mechanism of Action: Slows gastric emptying, decreases food intake, etc.
Approval: BMI > 30 or > 27 with a condition
Common Side Effects: Nausea, decreased appetite, etc.
Severe Risks: Kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy, etc.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
Overview
Dosage: 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly - a weekly injection
Average Weight Loss: 18% body weight in 72 weeks
Cost: $306.91 per week without insurance
Mechanism of Action: Similar to Zepbound
Approval: Type 2 diabetes (not for weight loss alone)
Common Side Effects: Nausea, decreased appetite, etc.
Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.
Conclusion
If you are interested in learning more about metabolic health and weight loss, please consult us at Dignity Weight Center. We would be honored to meet you, and we accept most insurances.
https://www.dignityweightcenter.com/book-online
References
Uptodate.com