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.
Understanding 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:
- 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
L-carnitine is a naturally-occurring amino acid that provides energy and improves the function of the brain, heart, and muscles.
Methionine is an amino acid that protects the body from free radicals that cause cell damage. Methionine also breaks down and processes fats and supports digestion.
Vitamin B6 is water-soluble and is found in a number of foods. It boosts metabolism, reduces cravings, and aids in muscle growth.
Vitamin B12 increases metabolism, which boosts energy by stimulating your body to convert fat into energy.
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
Fat-Burning and Metabolism-Boosting Injections
Lipotropic injections work to help people lose weight by burning fat and boosting metabolism. These injections are made up of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients.
Methionine and vitamin B12 cause reactions in the body that regulate fat and protein metabolism.
However, there is limited research on the effectiveness and safety of fat-burning and metabolism-boosting injections for weight loss.
Comparing Weight Loss Injections
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. Lipotropic injections are made up of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and other ingredients and are intended to burn fat and boost metabolism, but there is limited research on the safety and effectiveness of these injections.
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.
It is important that appetite-suppressant or lipotropic injections be combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise to maximize weight loss results. You can work with your doctor to come up with a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
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.
Get In-Home Semaglutide, A Medical Weight Loss Treatment
Unlike many other weight loss medications, our treatment includes Semaglutide (the same ingredient in Wegovy & Ozempic) and can be used for long-term weight management.
Semaglutide prescriptions are most effective as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that may include exercise, behavioral changes, calorie restriction, and diet changes as determined by a physician.
Schedule an appointment, and we will guide you through the process, prescribe medication if you are eligible, and ship treatments directly to your home.
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