Weight loss drugs have now been created to target gut hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which are involved in appetite and weight regulation. Many of these medications are used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes. The newest anti-obesity medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is Semaglutide, also known under the brand name Wegovy.This is a higher dose of the same medication, Ozempic, which was approved four years earlier for type 2 diabetes. Saxenda (liraglutide) is also a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is the same class as semaglutide.

While this class of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications has been around for almost 20 years for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, longer-acting once-a-week medications appear to be more effective in treating obesity and lowering blood glucose.

Another medication that has been making headlines is tirzepatide, which is sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound. The use of tirzepatide resulted in more than a 20% weight reduction in those with obesity.

As with any medication, there may be some side effects with anti-obesity drugs. The most common side effects are mild and can include nausea, constipation and diarrhea. These side effects typically lessen over time.

There are also serious side effects that can happen but are rare. That is why it is important to work with a physician to determine the best treatment option.

The length of time you need to take an anti-obesity drug depends on whether the medication helps with losing weight. For those who have lost enough weight to improve their health and have not experienced any serious side effects, physicians might suggest taking the weight-loss drug long term.

If a patient has not lost at least 5% of their body weight after taking the full dose of the medication for three to six months, physicians will likely adjust the treatment plan. This would include switching to a different weight-loss drug, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Additionally, with obesity the regulation of a person’s body set point is dysfunctional. While you can restrict calories for years, your body is always trying to get back to that dysfunctional set point. That is why anti-obesity medications are valuable in correcting an issue with the fat regulatory system, says the Cleveland Clinic.

Some are oral medications while others are self-administered once-a-week injections. Prescription weight loss medications work in different ways to treat overweight and obesity. For example, some anti-obesity medications may help you feel less hungry or full sooner.

On the other hand, medications may also make it harder for your body to absorb fat from the foods you eat, according to the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . Anti-obesity medications may also target cravings, food preferences and thoughts about food.

Unfortunately, anti-obesity medications can be expensive, and they are not always covered by insurance. Patients should review their insurance company medication formulary to find out if their plan covers these medications. If your insurance does cover the cost of the medication, you would sign up for the sixth month plan which includes the cost of your health assessment, physical examinations, laboratory monitoring, office visits, & insurance verification ( prior authorization required by insurance companies).