Want to know more about the comparison of weight loss medication based on how they work?? Well then, let’s use a simple scenario for better understanding.
Think of your body like a car, and the food you eat is the fuel. When you eat more fuel than your car needs, the extra gets stored away. For our bodies, this extra stored fuel can lead to weight gain. Some weight loss medicines try to tackle this in different ways.
One type of medicine you might hear about works by blocking some of the fat from the food you eat from being absorbed by your body. Imagine eating a meal with some fat in it. This medicine acts in your gut to stop some of that fat from getting into your bloodstream. Instead, it passes out of your body when you go to the toilet. The source mentions orlistat as an example of this type of medicine, and it’s noted as being specifically licensed for weight loss in the UK. So, if less fat is absorbed, you’re taking in fewer calories overall, which can help with weight loss.
In the past, there were other types of weight loss pills that worked by affecting your brain. These medicines try to reduce your appetite or make you feel full. Think of it like turning down your hunger signals. The sources mention some of these, like sibutramine and rimonabant. However, it’s really important to know that some of these older medicines had significant side effects. For instance, rimonabant was taken off the market due to concerns about depression and the risk of suicide, and sibutramine was withdrawn in Europe because of side effects. This shows that when it comes to weight loss medicines that affect the brain, the potential downsides need to be carefully considered.
It’s also worth remembering that the sources emphasize that lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are really important for weight loss. Medicines can sometimes be used to help, but they don’t replace eating a healthy diet and being active. The sources even suggest that for preventing type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can be more effective than some medications.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes, medicines used for other conditions might have an effect on weight. However, the focus here is specifically on medicines designed for weight loss.
So, to sum it up, some weight loss medicines work by reducing the amount of fat your body absorbs from food, while older types aimed to control appetite by acting on the brain, but these often came with serious side effects. Ultimately, the sources suggest that making healthy changes to your diet and being physically active are key in managing your weight.
Note
Understanding the Brand Difference between Wegovy & Ozempic.
Any particular medicine can come in various names or brands as they are produced by different manufacturers.
In the case of Semaglutide, the following brand names refer to the same product – Semaglutide.
- Wegovy
- Ozempic
A closely related medicine is Tirzapatide, a common brand of which is Mounjaro.
Nigerians will be happy to know that Semaglutide (Wegovy & Ozempic) and Tirzapatide (Mounjaro) are available in Nigeria.
Weight loss isn’t just about pills. The science says what you eat and how active you are makes a huge difference!