There’s a drug for almost every health issue these days. For instance, there has been progress towards the creation of an acne vaccine. People who relied on dermatological treatments and oral medication—which often cause side effects—can now look forward to a vaccine that will prevent acne once researchers finish its development.
Weight loss is another issue that drugs can address. The market for weight loss drugs is steadily growing, with the global sales of obesity drugs projected to reach $30 billion by 2030. This benefits people who want to lose excess weight, especially since 1 in 3 Americans is considered obese and at risk of illnesses like heart disease. Additionally, this means that overweight and obese individuals have more options to choose from to aid their weight loss efforts.
Some common weight loss drugs come in the form of pills and injections. Keep reading below if you’re curious to find out the science behind these drugs:
Weight Loss Pills
How They Work
It’s not unusual to be skeptical about weight loss pills, mainly if you’re used to hearing how dieting and exercising are the most common and effective ways to lose weight. Consequently, you may ask yourself, “Do weight loss pills work?” The answer is yes—as long as you’re taking anti-obesity medications that are FDA-approved because of their efficacy and safety and are only available via prescription. These pills work by suppressing your appetite and increasing your feelings of fullness or decreasing your body’s ability to absorb and store fat.
Moreover, Robert F. Kushner, M.D., a professor of medicine and medical education at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, points to studies that have shown that those who take anti-obesity medication will lose weight from the start. You can expect to lose between 5% and 15% of your weight in the first six months, combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Available Weight Loss Pills on the Market
Some popular weight loss pills for short-term use are Bontril, Tenuate, and Didrex, all of which suppress appetite. Meanwhile, long-term weight loss pills include Xenical (inhibits fat absorption) and Contrave (suppresses appetite to control cravings).
Weight Loss Injections
How They Work
Many people are also concerned about receiving injections, especially since the drug goes directly into the bloodstream. If you’re one of the people wondering, “Are weight loss injections safe?” you’ll be glad to know that they are—as long as the FDA approves them. Dr. Gregg Silverman, an internal medicine specialist at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi, reveals that long-term studies on these injections show that they’re safe. However, there are potential risks for people with diabetes, including pancreatitis and hypoglycemia. He outlines how those who take weight loss injections—specifically, Wegovy—can lose 20% -25% of their weight.
Usually, these weight loss injections work by inhibiting insulin production, thus affecting and reducing your hunger. Meanwhile, other injections increase feelings of fullness.
Weight Loss Injection Options
Briefly mentioned above, Wegovy is a once-weekly injection for weight loss. It is a diabetes drug that is also used for obesity treatment since it curbs appetite and postpones gastric emptying, allowing you to feel full for longer. Saxenda is another option, which is a synthetic version of the glucagon-like-peptide hormone that increases your feeling of satiety. It is taken once daily.
Weight loss pills and injections are common in the weight loss market. Fortunately, these drugs are safe and effective, allowing obese individuals to boost their weight loss efforts.
Tim M. Hill helped bring Digital-Overload from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. He continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a writer to Digital-Overload, Tim mainly covers mobile news and gadgets.
