07 Sep What Are The Types of Weight Loss Injections You Can Get From Your Physician?

• Three types of weight loss injections:
  • Appetite-suppressant injections such as Liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza), Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
  • Fat-burning injections
  • Metabolism-boosting injections
• Side effects of liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide
• How each type of weight loss shot works
• The importance of medical supervision and guidance for weight loss

This article is for individuals seeking information about weight loss injections available from physicians. It provides insights into different types of injections, such as fat-burning, metabolism-boosting, and appetite-suppressant injections. Readers will gain an understanding of their benefits, considerations, and the importance of consulting healthcare professionals for personalized guidance.

Weight loss injections are important in medical weight management because they increase results and improve weight loss by helping you achieve different goals depending on the type of injections that are given.

There are three general types of weight loss injections: appetite-suppressant injections, fat-burning injections, and metabolism-boosting injections.

Weight Loss Injections

Weight loss injections are used along with a healthy diet and exercise plan to help you maximize weight loss results.

There are a number of types of weight loss injections available:

1. Appetite-suppressant injections: liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza), semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

Saxenda can be used to help obese and overweight adults with at least one weight-related condition lose weight, as well as for weight loss in children ages 12 years and older who weigh more than 60 kg (about 132 pounds) and have obesity based on their age, height, and sex.

Victoza is FDA-approved for the management of type 2 diabetes in people who are ten years and older. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss.

Ozempic is FDA-approved for people who have type 2 diabetes and are at risk of cardiovascular problems. In addition to reducing appetite, Ozempic regulates blood sugar levels. Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, but it can be used for this purpose.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in overweight adults (those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 27-29) and at least one related comorbidity, like diabetes or hypertension, or obese adults (those who have a BMI of 30 or higher).

Mounjaro is FDA-approved to help with blood sugar management in people with diabetes, but it can be used off-label for weight loss, and it is expected to be FDA-approved for weight loss in late 2023. Mounjaro works by slowing down the digestion process, which will help you feel full for longer periods of time.

2. Fat-burning and metabolism-boosting injections: choline, inositol, L-carnitine, methionine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12

Having a physician administer your weight loss injections may make you feel more comfortable during the experience. It can be difficult to self-administer injections, but if a doctor does it for you, you do not need to worry about administering the injection incorrectly and injuring yourself. However, you will need to go to the doctor’s office to receive treatment, which is time-consuming and likely to be more costly than self-administering the injections.

Appetite-Suppressant Injections

Appetite-suppressant injections work by regulating insulin levels (liraglutide and semaglutide) or slowing down digestion (tirzepatide), which reduces appetite and helps you feel full for longer.

These types of injections are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that curb cravings and help you eat less food by managing glucose (blood sugar) levels and slowing down gastric emptying to make you feel full sooner and continue to feel full for longer periods of time.

As with any medication, side effects are possible when taking appetite-suppressing injections. The specific side effects you may experience will vary depending on which particular drug you take.

Side effects of liraglutide include:

• Appetite changes
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gallbladder disease
• Headache
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Indigestion
• Injection-site reactions such as discomfort, lumps under the skin, redness, or swelling
• Kidney problems
• Nausea
• Pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas)
• Thyroid cancer
• Vomiting

Side effects of tirzepatide include:

• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Diarrhea
• Facial changes, such as the face looking thinner or older
• Fatigue
• Gallbladder disease
• Hair loss
• Hypoglycemia
• Kidney damage
• Nausea
• Pancreatitis
• Rebound weight gain
• Stomach pain
• Thyroid tumors
• Vivid dreams
• Vomiting

Side effects of semaglutide include:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Gassiness
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Stomach distension (bloating)
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

Weight Loss Injections Comparison

Different weight loss injections are approved for different purposes. Of the appetite-suppressant injections we have discussed, Saxenda and Wegovy are FDA-approved for weight loss, while Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Victoza are FDA-approved to treat diabetes but can be used off-label for weight loss. 

Saxenda is approved for use by adults and children ages 12 years and older, and Victoza can be used by adults and children ages ten years and older. Monjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy can only be prescribed for adults. You should not take liraglutide or tirzepatide if you have a history of or increased risk of thyroid cancer.

The Role of Healthcare Professionals in Weight Loss

Weight loss injections are available by prescription only, and healthcare professionals can administer weight loss injections for you. This reduces the risk of injury and complications.

Having weight loss injections administered by a healthcare professional rather than self-administering the injections ensures that the correct dose is given safely each time. A healthcare provider will also be able to monitor you for side effects and adverse reactions.

Medically-supervised weight loss helps you stick to your treatment plan and reach your weight loss goals. Your doctor will be able to simultaneously help you lose weight, treat related conditions like diabetes or hypertension, intervene if you experience any side effects caused by medication, and make changes to your diet and exercise routine to maximize results as you progress in your weight loss journey.

Conclusion

It is important to understand the different types of weight loss injections so you get the best results. Some weight loss injections are officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States for weight loss, and others are not officially approved for this purpose but can still be used to help you lose weight. Some weight loss injections work by suppressing appetite, while others boost metabolism and burn fat.

You should consult with healthcare professionals for personalized guidance on your weight loss journey. A healthcare professional will be able to prescribe weight loss injections, treat related conditions and side effects, and give you diet and exercise recommendations based on your individual needs.

Regardless of which type of weight loss injections you receive, you will need to combine the injections with proper diet and exercise for the best results.