By now, you’ve got possible heard the chatter surrounding diabetes “weight reduction medication” which are circulating the web. In response to Web page Six, celebs reminiscent of Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, and Chelsea Handler have even admitted to taking Ozempic at one level or one other for numerous causes. However are these diabetes/weight reduction medication protected? And the way do Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, as an illustration, examine with regards to weight reduction? To sift via the noise, we spoke with Gregory Lopez, MA, PharmD, analysis lead for Look at.com with a Grasp’s diploma in molecular biophysics from Johns Hopkins. Lopez breaks down every drug, together with which one could also be finest for weight reduction.
Should you’re prepared to listen to extra, maintain studying. And whenever you’re completed studying all about Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, be sure you take a look at Berberine Is Being Hailed as ‘Nature’s Ozempic’—However Does it Actually Work for Weight Loss?
What’s Ozempic?
Ozempic is among the model names for the antidiabetic treatment, semaglutide. “It was authorized by the FDA in 2017 for individuals with diabetes to assist management blood sugar,” Lopez explains. “Its means to assist individuals drop pounds was a little bit of a fortuitous accident […] the principle focus of Ozempic was diabetes, however it’s helpful for each diabetes and weight reduction and can be utilized for both.”
So far as value is worried, Ozempic can run roughly over $1,000 per thirty days, in accordance with WebMD. Notice that almost all of insurance coverage firms will solely cowl this drug if it is prescribed for the therapy of type-2 diabetes, not weight reduction.
What’s Wegovy?
The story does not finish at Ozempic! Quickly after the FDA authorized Ozempic for use to deal with diabetes, the producer of Ozempic—Novo Nordisk—started researching its weight reduction advantages, Lopez tells us. “This finally led to the FDA approving the identical precise drug […] at a barely larger dose for weight reduction, just below a special title: Wegovy,” Lopez continues. “These are each the very same energetic drug: semaglutide. They only have totally different model names and Wegovy’s most beneficial dose is slightly bit larger since larger doses are higher for weight reduction, whereas barely decrease doses are high quality for diabetes administration.”
Lopez put issues into layman’s phrases: A 14-inch pizza and a 16-inch pizza are the identical meal; there’s simply extra of the 16-inch one. “Similar factor with Wegovy and Ozempic: Wegovy is similar factor as Ozempic—there’s simply extra of it, a minimum of on the most dosage,” Lopez factors out.
Wegovy slows down digestion whereas decreasing your meals consumption. “In different phrases, you are feeling extra full whereas additionally experiencing decreased meals cravings,” Lopez explains. In relation to value, WebMD notes that Wegovy can value roughly $1,300 every month, and insurance coverage firms do not usually cowl the associated fee.
What’s Mounjaro?
The third weight reduction drug we’re speaking about in the present day is Mounjaro. Lopez tells us, “Mounjaro is the model title for a brand new drug whose generic title is tirzepatide. It was authorized in 2022 to assist decrease blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. The FDA has granted it ‘Quick Observe’ standing, and it is on its technique to being authorized for weight reduction quickly. Regardless of that, Mounjaro is already getting used off-label for weight reduction, with quite a few celebrities utilizing it in current months.”
Mounjaro is often solely coated by insurance coverage when used to deal with type-2 diabetes. Should you’re not utilizing insurance coverage, Mounjaro can run anyplace between roughly $1,000 to $1,200 every month.
How do Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro examine?
As Lopez beforehand famous, Ozempic and Wegovy “are the very same drug whose generic title is semaglutide.” Contemplating the truth that they’re the identical precise chemical, they’ve the identical perform, which is to mimic a pure hormone—GLP-1—that is launched in your physique to sluggish digestion, decrease urge for food and cravings, and enable you to get a deal with on blood sugar. “Mounjaro is a drug that additionally mimics GLP-1. Nevertheless it mimics one different pure hormone as nicely: GIP,” Lopez provides.
All three of those medication may also help keep blood sugar in diabetic people in addition to serving to them drop pounds. Their unwanted side effects are additionally related, which may embrace modifications in stool (constipation or diarrhea), abdomen ache, and nausea. The worth can also be comparable for all three of those diabetes/weight reduction medication.
Which is essentially the most useful for weight reduction?
Drumroll, please! Lopez explains that in accordance with current knowledge, Mounjaro appears to be your best option general for weight reduction, with Wegovy and Ozempic coming in subsequent. “Keep in mind that Wegovy and Ozempic are the identical factor; any distinction between the 2 comes right down to a distinction in dosing,” Lopez says.
Should you’re involved about your weight from a well being standpoint, it is at all times advisable to talk with a healthcare skilled—particularly when you’re inquisitive about taking one in all these medication. Your physician will know if it is the very best course—and even an possibility—for you.
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Alexa Mellardo