The Weight Loss Jab: Miracle Shot or Medical Hype?

Weight loss injections have taken the world by storm! Medications like Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, were originally developed for type 2 diabetes, and are now being used to help people lose weight. But what do we know about these medications? How do they work? Are they safe to use?

How do these injections work?

Most of these injectable medications work by mimicking a hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) or GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These are hormones naturally released in your gut when you eat, and they have several effects:

• Make you feel full sooner

• Reduce hunger and food cravings

• Slow down digestion

• Help your body regulate blood sugar more effectively.

By enhancing these natural processes, these injectable medications help people eat less and feel satisfied with smaller portions.

What are the benefits?

Clinical trials have shown that these medications (Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Zepbound) can lead to significant weight loss. One landmark study (wilding et al 2021, NEJM) found participants on semaglutide (Wegovy) lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. Another study showed participants taking tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) displayed losses exceeding 20% (Jastreboff et al, 2022). However, these medications do not only support weight loss, but also users have found that they have:

• lower blood pressure

• better blood sugar control

• improved cholesterol levels

• reduced risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

These results are especially promising for people with obesity-related conditions or those who have struggled with weight loss for years.

The table below highlights the pros and cons of weight-loss injections

Pros	Cons
Significant, sustained weight loss	GI side effects (nausea, vomiting)
Improved blood sugar, cholesterol, and heart health	Risk of pancreatitis, thyroid concerns
Can reduce risk of diabetes and heart disease	Weight often returns if stopped
Helps control appetite and cravings	Long-term use may be needed; high cost

What are the risks?

As with all medications, the risks and side effects should be considered. While these medications have been shown to be effective, common side effects can include; nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, bloating and gas, and a loss of appetite.

These effects often reduce over time, but not always, and it is important users are also aware of the more serious, but less common risks including; pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, thyroid tumours and possible mental health effects, such as low mood, suicidal thoughts were reported in some users.

Due to these concerns, these medications are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of certain thyroid cancers or pancreatic conditions.

Who are these injections for?

Weight loss injections are typically prescribed to adults who:

• Have a BMI over 30 (classified as obesity), or

• Have a BMI over 27 with another health condition related to weight (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or sleep apnea)

They are not recommended for general weight loss or for people who just want to shed a few pounds for cosmetic reasons. These medications are available in many countries upon prescription, and should always be used under medical supervision.

How long can I take a weight-loss injections for?

Obesity is a chronic condition, any many experts are now seeing these injectable medications as long-term or even lifelong treatments. Especially for people who regain weight after stopping the medication.

While long-term research is still ongoing, current evidence suggests:

• Continued use maintains weight loss and health benefits

• Stopping treatment often leads to weight regain

• Long-term safety data (beyond 2–3 years) is still being collected, though no new major concerns have emerged so far.

  
  

This has important implications:

• Cost: These drugs are expensive, and not always covered by healthcare providers and/or insurance

• Access: People in lower-income settings may struggle to afford long-term use

• Stigma: Some critics argue we should not rely on medication for weight loss.

  
  

Obesity specialists stress that weight loss injections should be viewed like insulin or cholesterol-lowering medications: part of an ongoing management plan, not a temporary fix.

What happens if you stop taking the injections?

Studies suggest that when people stop taking these injections and using these medications, much of the lost weight tends to return. This has raised concerns and debate (as mentioned above) about whether they need to be used long-term, and possibly for life.

Should I try it?

Weight loss injections can be a valuable tool, especially for those with obesity-related health issues. However, they are not magic, and they should be used in conjunction with a healthy eating and physical activity plan.

If you're struggling with your weight and have tried other methods without success, it's worth talking to a healthcare provider to see if one of these medications is right for you.

Sources

• Müller, T. D., Finan, B., Bloom, S. R., D'Alessio, D., Drucker, D. J., Flatt, P. R., ... & Tschöp, M. H. (2019). Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular Metabolism, 30, 72–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molmet.2019.09.010

• Nauck, M. A., & Meier, J. J. (2018). Incretin hormones: Their role in health and disease. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 20(S1), 5–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.13129

• Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384, 989–1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

• Jastreboff, A. M. et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387, 205–216. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038

• Kushner, R. F., Calanna, S., & Davies, M. (2020). Semaglutide 2.4 mg for the treatment of obesity: Key facts from clinical trials. Obesity, 28(6), 1051–1061. https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.22801

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prescribing Information: Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov

• Rubino, D. M. et al. (2021). Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA, 325(14), 1414–1425. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.3224

• Stanford, F. C. (2023). Addressing equity in access to anti-obesity medications. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 11(1), 6–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(22)00327-0

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board