Brands

In this section, we provide an unbiased summary of the FDA-approved GLP-1 anti-obesity medications. This section includes profiles of each medication as outlined on the websites of the companies behind them. Our goal is to present a balanced view, with content mainly pulled directly from that website to aid informed decision-making.

Saxenda

Key Sources

• https://www.saxenda.com

• https://www.novomedlink.com/obesity/products/treatments/saxenda/efficacy-safety/significant-weight-loss.html#:~:text=In%20a%201%2Dyear%20study,Saxenda%C2%AE%20lost%20some%20weight

Pharmaceutical Company

• Novo Nordisk

Year Approved

• 2014 (adults only)

• 2020 (pediatric patients 12 and older)

GLP-1 Molecule

• Liraglutide

Indications and Usage: Saxenda® (liraglutide) injection 3 mg is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in:

• Adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obese) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (eg, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)

• Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with body weight above 60 kg (132 lbs) and initial BMI corresponding to 30 kg/m2 or greater for adults (obese) by international cut-offs

Weight Loss Clinical Results

• In a 1-year study in adults, 85% of patients treated with Saxenda® lost some weight

• In a 56-week study of 3,731 patients without type 2 diabetes and with a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, or ≥27% with at least 1 weight-related comorbidity, patients were randomized to either Saxenda® (n=2,487) or placebo (n=1,244), with all patients receiving a reduced-calorie diet (~500 kcal/day deficit) and physical activity counseling

• The majority of patients achieved clinically meaningful weight loss of ≥5% with Saxenda

• 62.3% lost >= 5%

• 33.9% lost >= 10%

• ~6% lost >=20%

Limitations of Use

• Saxenda® contains liraglutide and should not be coadministered with other liraglutide-containing products or with any other GLP-1 receptor agonist 

• The safety and effectiveness of Saxenda® in pediatric patients with type 2 diabetes have not been established

• The safety and effectiveness of Saxenda® in combination with other products intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established

Side Effects (Most Common)

• Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, injection site reaction, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), headache, tiredness (fatigue), dizziness, stomach pain, and change in enzyme (lipase) levels in your blood

• Additional common side effects in children are fever and gastroenteritis

Side Effects (Serious)

• Pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes who also take medications to treat type 2 diabetes, hypoglycemia in children 12 years or older without type 2 diabetes, increased heart rate, kidney problems/kidney failure, serious allergic reactions, and depression of thoughts of suicide

Wegovy

Key Sources

• www.wegovy.com

• https://www.novomedlink.com/obesity/products/treatments/wegovy/efficacy-safety/clinical-trial-1-results.html

Pharmaceutical Company

• Novo Nordisk

Year Approved

• 2021

GLP-1 Molecule

• Semaglutide

Indications and Usage: Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg is indicated as an adjunct to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for chronic weight management in the following:

• Adults with an initial body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 (obesity) or ≥27 kg/m2 (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia) 

• Pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater standardized for age and sex (obesity)

Weight Loss Clinical Results

• A 68-week trial of 1,961 adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or with overweight (BMI 27 kg/m2-29.9 kg/m2) and at least 1 weight-related comorbid condition, such as treated or untreated dyslipidemia or hypertension; patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were excluded

• Patients were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to either Wegovy® 2.4 mg or placebo (with a 16-week dose-escalation period), both in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet (~500 kcal/day deficit) and increased physical activity (recommended to a minimum of 150 min/week)

• Patients taking Wegovy achieved average ~15% weight loss at 68-weeks

• The majority of patients taking Wegovy achieved clinically meaningful weight loss

• 83.5%  lost >= 5%

• 66.1% lost >= 10%

• 47.9% lost >=15%

• 30.2% lost >=20%

Limitations of Use

• Wegovy contains semaglutide and should not be coadministered with other semaglutide-containing products or with any GLP-1 receptor agonist

• The safety and effectiveness of Wegovy in combination with other products intended for weight loss, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal preparations, have not been established

• Wegovy has not been studied in patients with a history of pancreatitis

Side Effects (Most Common)

• Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat

Side Effects (Serious)

• Pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, hypoglycemia in adults with type 2 diabetes - especially those who also take medicines for type 2 diabetes, kidney problems/kidney failure, serious allergic reactions, increased heart rate, and depression of thoughts of suicide

Zepbound

Key Sources

• https://www.zepbound.lilly.com/

• https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-zepboundtm-tirzepatide-achieved-additional-67-weight-loss

Pharmaceutical Company

• Eli Lilly

Year Approved

• 2023

GLP-1 Molecule

• Tirzepatide

Indications and Usage

• Zepbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems, lose weight and keep it off. Zepbound should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Weight Loss Clinical Results

• Throughout a 17-month clinical trial, people who dieted, exercised (reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity), and took Zepbound sustained weight loss—whether taking the 5-mg, 10-mg, or 15-mg dose

• In a 72-week study of adults without diabetes, average weight loss was 15.0% (34 lbs) for 5 mg, 19.5% (44 lbs) for 10 mg, 20.9% (48 lbs) for 15 mg, and 3.1% (7 lbs) for placebo.

• In a 72-week study of adults with diabetes, average weight loss was 12.8% (28 lbs) for 10 mg, 14.7% (33 lbs) for 15 mg, and 3.2% (7 lbs) for placebo.

Limitations of Use

• Zepbound contains tirzepatide and should not be used with other tirzepatide-containing products or any GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.

• It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective when taken with other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal weight loss products.

• It is not known if Zepbound can be used in people who have had pancreatitis.

• It is not known if Zepbound is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age.

Side Effects (Most Common)

• Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdominal) pain, indigestion, injection site reactions, feeling tired, allergic reactions, belching, hair loss, and heartburn

Side Effects (Serious)

• Severe stomach problems, kidney problems/kidney failure, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, serious allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, changes in vision in patients with type 2 diabetes, and depression or thoughts of suicide