How do weight loss medications work

How do weight loss medications work?

In recent years, the battle against obesity has seen remarkable advancements with the introduction of weight loss medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide).

They are extremely effective - for example, Mounjaro can lead to weight loss of 20-25% in a little over a year.

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But how do they actually work?

It’s actually very simple: They make you feel full, so you eat less, and lose weight.

Imagine how you feel after eating a big meal. You’re “full” or “sated”. You can’t or don’t want to eat any more. This is because, simply, your gut hormones are telling you that you’ve eaten enough food. This is how weight loss medication works.

Both Mounjaro and Wegovy belong to a class of drugs that mimic certain hormones in the body involved in regulating appetite and blood sugar levels. The mechanism at the heart of both medications involves enhancing the body's natural response to food intake. By activating “receptors” in the brain, these drugs amplify the signals for “full” or “sated”, leading to reduced calorie intake. This process is crucial for weight management, as it helps individuals achieve and maintain a caloric deficit without the constant battle with hunger that typically accompanies dieting.

Despite their similar goals, they work in slightly different ways.

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Mounjaro

(Tirzepetide)

Mounjaro is unique because it targets not one, but two hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). These hormones are released after you eat and play a crucial role in controlling blood sugar and making you feel full. By mimicking these hormones, Mounjaro helps control blood sugar levels, reduces appetite, and leads to significant weight loss.

In clinical trials, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) demonstrated remarkable results. Participants who were overweight or had obesity, without type 2 diabetes, showed significant weight reduction. The study found that over an 18-month period, participants lost up to 25% of their body weight, depending on the dose and the type of support received. This means someone weighing 100kg could reach around 75kg; this is more than just numbers on a scale; it means significant health benefits, such as improved blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and reduced risk of diabetes.

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Wegovy

(Semaglutide)

Wegovy on the other hand, mainly targets the GLP-1 hormone. Like Mounjaro, it increases the feeling of fullness, reduces hunger, and helps control blood sugar levels. This not only aids in weight loss but also benefits those with type 2 diabetes.

In its clinical trials, participants on Wegovy experienced an average weight loss of approximately 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.

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How does the dose increase stage work?

Both medications make significant changes to the body’s metabolism and we all respond at different rates to the medication, partly depending on our BMI. However, the “dose escalation” phase has been designed (and tested) to ensure that your body gets used to each dose before the increase.

Every month, for the first five months (Wegovy) or six months (Mounjaro), you should increase your dose. Your CheqUp Weight Loss Coach will guide you through the process of dose escalation and advise if there is any reason why our doctors think you should remain on an existing dose for another week or so. This could be because your weight loss is significant and there is no need to increase the dose or because you’re experiencing side effects.

Changing the dose is easy - each pen you get from us contains the right dose.

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Are there downsides?

Any medication comes with side-effects. Most people on weight loss medications experience some kind of “gastrointestinal” side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. For most people any side-effects are mild and only occur during the dose increase stage, when the body is getting used to something new.

The downside to GLP-1 drugs is that they have to be injected into sub-cutaneous fat, normally in the belly which some people find discomforting. And, like any drug, there is a risk of side effects, although the msot common ones improve once you reach the full dosage.

Some of the more common side effects include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Constipation

Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) are a more serious risk linked to the GLP-1 class of drugs. But the risk of low blood sugar levels often only goes up if you're also taking another drug known to lower blood sugar at the same time, such as sulfonylureas or insulin.

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Best taken with lifestyle advice

Mounjaro and Wegovy can bring amazing benefits; many of our clients consider them to be genuinely life changing. But they are best taken alongside a weight management system which provides support for you to make diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes, such as that offered by CheqUp.