Weight management is a critical concern worldwide, with growing demand for effective and safe weight loss treatments. Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro work differently, however have shown to be effective in helping individuals lose weight.
GLP-1 Medications
Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro are all GLP-1 Medications. These lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 Diabetes and help treat obesity/overweight by suppressing appetite. GLP-1 agonists are injectable medications administered daily or weekly.
In overweight individuals with a BMI of greater than 27 with a relatable health condition, or with a BMI of 30 can use these medicines. These medications should be used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Wegovy
It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with semaglutide as the active ingredient. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone which regulates appetite, insulin secretion and glucose metabolism. The receptors in the brain are activated by Wegovy which helps with feeling fuller for longer and reduces appetite by slowing the rate of gastric emptying.
Wegovy is administered once weekly via an injection. The starting dose is increased over several weeks to minimize side effects.
In clinical trials Wegovy has proven to be effective in multiple 68 week phase trials when used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased activity. Patients were able to achieve 10%, 15% or more of body weight reduction by week 68.
- 83% of trial patients lost 5% or more weight
- 66% of trial patients lost 10% or more weight
- 48% of trial patients lost 15% or more weight
- 30% of trial patients lost 20% or more weight
The common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and fatigue.
Mounjaro
It is a dual GLP-1 receptor agonist and works by activating two receptors, GIP and GLP. These hormones increase insulin secretion after meals, lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. The dual action makes Mounjaro highly effective for weight loss and blood sugar control, especially in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro is to be administered once weekly. The dosage is adjusted based on the patient’s response and tolerance however it is increased starting at 2.5mg monthly and can increase to 15mg. In Australia it has recently been registered for weight management.
Internationally, Mounjaro has been studied to show advantages in losing weight in addition to treating type 2 diabetes. In a 72-week clinical trial with overweight participants who received weekly injections, they had notable benefits in weight management.
- 96% of trial patients lost 5% or more weight
- 90% of trial patients lost 10% or more weight
- 78% of trial patients lost 15% or more weight
- 62% of trial patients lost 20% or more weight
- 39% of trial patients lost 25% or more weight
The common side effects encompass nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and headaches. There are more severe adverse effects including low blood sugar and abdominal/stomach problems.
Saxenda
It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with liraglutide as the active ingredient. Saxenda works by imitating the GLP-1 hormone, promoting a feeling of fullness and reducing hunger. Hunger is reduced by slowing gastric emptying leading to reduced food intake.
It is a once daily injection. The dose is started low and then titrated over 5 weeks to reach a maximum dose of 3mg. In clinical trials, 77% of patients who combined diet and exercise with Saxenda were able to lose at least 5% of their body weight after 16 weeks.
Another study looked at results after 1 year on the maintenance dose and found that:
- 63% lost at least 5% of their body weight
- 33% lost at least 10% of their body weight
- 15% lost at least 15% of their body weight
It is important to recognise that these are the averages across the study and your weight loss may be significantly more or less. While 5-15% may not seem like much, it can have a very large impact on your overall health and wellbeing. The common side effects are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation.
Wegovy, Mounjaro or Saxenda
Saxenda, Wegovy and Mounjaro are all efficient in achieving weight loss for patients. The results patients experience will vary for each individual based on the medication, the dosage, the duration of use and adjunct physical activity.
- Saxenda trials have shown 15% of people lost atleast 15% of their body weight.
- Wegovy trials have shown 48% of people lost atleast 15% of their body weight.
- Mounjaro trials have shown 78% of people lost atleast 15% of their body weight.
Consulting a doctor
Deciding which weight loss medication is most suited to you would need to be discussed with your doctor. They can determine the most beneficial medication for your health.
Consult a doctor
Resources:
Efficacy of Semaglutide in treating obesity – a systematic review
Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity
Liraglutide for weight management: a critical review of the evidence
