Weight loss medications have become increasingly popular in recent years. An article by CBS News details how social media personalities helped put these drugs in the spotlight, with celebrities and other public figures likewise sharing their successful body transformation from the medication. As a result, the demand for drugs like Ozempic skyrocketed, leading to shortages of the medicine that made it difficult to access.
Despite the sudden boom in popularity, there are still some misconceptions about these weight loss drugs. It is vital to address these to prevent potential health risks and clarify what these drugs are meant to do. With this, we explain a few myths surrounding weight loss medications and demystify them to understand better how they work.
“Anyone can take weight loss drugs”
With the popularity of weight loss drugs, it’s easy to assume that anyone looking to lose weight can use this type of medication to shed some extra pounds. However, these medications are only meant for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and upwards. Those with a BMI of 27 can be considered if they also experience weight-related comorbidities like hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Additionally, checking with a doctor to get a prescription is essential since misusing weight loss medication can adversely affect health. Just because Ozempic is trending does not mean it’s immediately something you should take and it’s best to consult with a medical professional before using it for weight loss.
“They’re all the same thing”
Most weight loss drugs are actually off-label prescriptions, meaning a patient is given FDA-approved medication that is used to treat another condition or disease. For example, popular drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda are semaglutide-based medications that are used to treat type 2 diabetes, as they mimic a gut hormone called GLP-1 to lower blood glucose levels and lower the risk of heart attack. This works because it was found that imitating the effects of GLP-1 can help curb appetite and make a patient feel full for longer, thereby inducing weight loss.
While semaglutide-based drugs have similar components, they’re not all the same and can have different effects. Case in point, comparing Saxenda vs Wegovy showed the different effects associated with both drugs. This is because they have different active ingredients, and at least one study shows Wegovy may be 20% more effective than Saxenda regarding weight loss. Additionally, Saxenda requires a daily dose, while Wegovy only requires a weekly one. This has made the latter more appealing to some and further highlights variations in the effectiveness and administration of weight loss drugs.
“Medication alone causes weight loss”
Unfortunately, weight loss is a nuanced process, and not even weight loss drugs provide a one-stop, easy fix to address excess weight. The medication helps powerfully address biological factors like genetics and age, which make it more challenging for some people to lose weight. However, using weight loss drugs still requires significant lifestyle changes like adopting a healthier diet and exercising to maximize its effects properly.
Our previous post “What is the Best Diet?” underscores some popular diet advice that you can try to complement the effects of weight loss drugs. This includes the highly recommended Mediterranean Diet, which incorporates a lot of vegetables, fish, fruit, and other nutrient-rich food that can help with weight loss and even curb symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
“Weight loss drugs have dangerous side effects”
When taking medication, people often worry about the side effects. Every drug can potentially present side effects, as all bodies are different, and some may react negatively to certain medications. With this, though, it’s important to note that while weight loss drugs have some side effects, there have yet to be any reports of any life-threatening ones.
According to Scientific American, these medications can cause gastrointestinal problems and induce muscle mass loss from the rapid effects. While these are drastic, you can address the side effects by closely consulting with a medical professional to adjust your dose of the drug and advise you of things you can do to alleviate any pain or discomfort.
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