Diabetes has been referred to as America's quiet epidemic, and it affects a staggering 11.6% of the population. With 1.2 million Americans diagnosed each year, experts have been racing to find an effective way to manage or even reverse type 2 diabetes. Some of the most effective options in today's market are diabetes medications focused on changing how sugar is used in the body. In some (but not all) of these drugs, this can cause weight loss, especially when paired with a healthy diet and exercise. This has led to many popular diabetes drugs being approved for weight loss. But is it safe? Here, we'll dive into the details of a class of type 2 diabetes medications that can result in significant weight loss and its effect on the body.
Understanding How Diabetes Medications Work
Not all type 2 diabetes drugs have weight-loss properties. In fact, some can even cause individuals to gain weight. This is because of how they affect blood sugar within the body. For example, a common side effect of insulin is weight gain—at least during a short period when people start taking it to treat diabetes. Insulin can cause weight gain because it tells your body to turn excess glucose into fat. This continues until your body reaches glucose homeostasis. At this point, you can begin to lose excess weight caused by the initial insulin dosage.
Other drugs used to treat diabetes work to eliminate extra glucose within the body. The less glucose in your bloodstream, the less available to turn into fat. This is why many patients with diabetes who go on medication other than insulin notice weight loss without much extra effort.
Different Types of Diabetes Drugs for Weight Loss
Before being approved for diabetes or weight management, the Food and Drug Administration must test the drug for safety and efficacy. Once approved by the FDA, these drugs become available to the general public with a prescription. Today, there are a few different drugs for diabetes that can help you achieve a healthy body weight. The two most popular options that can help with weight loss are drugs called GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors.
GLP-1 Agonist Diabetes Medications
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a synthetic hormone that helps communication with the pancreas. They act like naturally occurring GLP-1, which is responsible for signaling insulin release that lowers blood sugar. GLP-1 can also help maintain fullness after a meal. People with diabetes can benefit from this class of drugs, as it helps reduce body mass index, resulting in favorable effects on blood sugar levels. However, the weight loss achieved tends to vary from person to person.
- Ozempic® — Ozempic® uses the active ingredient semaglutide and is administered as an injection once per week. This is only approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes and is not prescribed for weight loss.
- Wegovy® — Wegovy® for weight loss is manufactured by the same company as Ozempic®. Ozempic® and Wegovy® both use semaglutide, but Wegovy® has a higher dose.
Drugs That Act Similar to GLP-1 Agonists
- Mounjaro® — Mounjaro® works similarly to GLP-1 agonists but with an added hormone called glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). This can help enhance the overall blood glucose control, resulting in greater weight loss.
- Metformin® — Metformin® is a prescribed diabetes medication that reduces the amount of glucose in the liver. This, in turn, can help increase insulin sensitivity, but it may or may not result in weight loss.
- Symlin® — Symlin® is a synthetically made form of the hormone amylin. This works to slow down food movement through the stomach and can prevent your liver from making glucose. Weight loss with Symlin® is minimal but can still occur.
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors remove sugar from the bloodstream through urine. This can lead to weight loss, as it causes less glucose to be available to turn into fat. Some of the most common SGLT-2 inhibitors prescribed include:
- Jardiance®
- Farxiga®
- Invokana®
People with type 2 diabetes can also benefit from SGLT-2 inhibitors, but it's important to talk to your doctor to find the best option for your circumstances.
Are These Drugs Safe When Used for Weight Loss?
There are several reasons why people who don't have diabetes may be interested in weight loss medications, but are they really the best solution? Generally speaking, lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and enough sleep, will help people lose weight. However, the FDA approved certain medications for weight-loss treatment, so it may be beneficial to consider. Losing weight can help reduce the risk of prediabetes turning into type 2 diabetes. It can also lower high blood pressure, contribute to better heart health, and a lower risk of premature death, certain cancers, and more. Still, if you're interested in taking these drugs, it's important that you speak with your doctor thoroughly to weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
Things to Consider Before Taking GLP-1 Agonist Drugs for Weight Loss
While there's a lot of positivity surrounding the dramatic weight loss associated with GLP-1 agonist drugs, it's important to remember that these were created to treat type 2 diabetes. The surge in use for chronic weight management or loss can result in shortages for individuals who truly need them.
The price is another downside for people without diabetes who want to use Wegovy® or Mounjaro® to lose weight. Oftentimes, it's not covered by insurance and can cost up to $1,500 per month. This is a huge financial strain and means that middle- or low-income individuals cannot access it. If you have diabetes, Ozempic® is likely covered by insurance if your doctor deems it necessary. However, always double-check before filling a prescription to be sure.
Finally, studies have been limited, but it seems like the amount of weight loss can vary from person to person, and some individuals may even regain weight after discontinuing the use of the drug. If weight gain does occur following the use of the drug, it often happens relatively quickly, putting additional strain on your body.
Potential Side Effects of Weight Loss Drugs
As with any medication, there are some disadvantages to using new diabetes drugs to achieve a healthy weight. Regardless of the degree of weight loss, some people may experience negative side effects after using the drug. People taking one of these drugs may experience the following:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Stomach paralysis or "slow stomach"
- Appetite loss
- Fat loss in the face, leading to worn out appearance
- Diabetes retinopathy (rare side effect)
When to See Your Doctor
Obesity is a serious problem in the US and is one of the biggest risk factors for type 2 diabetes. If you're interested in learning more about drugs like Ozempic® for weight loss, it's important to discuss it with your doctor to determine if it's a safe and effective option for your circumstances. Adults with type 2 diabetes should also consult with their primary care doctor to learn more about taking these medications for diabetes control and potential remission. Never take any prescription medication without consulting with your doctor, and stop taking them if you experience serious side effects.
To help get the most out of your diabetes care, it's still important to eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fruits. To complement any medications used, Byram Healthcare has a range of diabetes management tools. We also offer diabetes care and educational materials to give you everything you need for comprehensive care.
