Weight Loss Drugs Are High In Demand With More Options Now Available
Weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro have surged in demand over the past few years, so much so that companies are struggling with availability. However, new options have become available to help address issues with access, from newer advancements to older drugs. A feature from CNN explains how these older weight loss medications can be more affordable, more available, and come in pill form—unlike the typical injections. While the sales and prescriptions for these drugs aren’t as high as the more popular brand names, they’re continuing to boost the overall demand for weight loss medications. With obesity becoming a more widespread issue in the United States, more and more people may be seeking this form of treatment to aid in efficient weight loss, meaning the influx of weight loss medications may continue to prevail in the future.
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The weight loss drugs boom
Weight loss medications have had a long history and have been around for decades, but the past few years have seen incredible advancements. Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy were initially developed for diabetes treatment due to their ability to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce food cravings, which helps manage the condition. However, these also helped patients drastically lower their body weight, which kicked up a buzz in the weight loss industry. Celebrity namedrops, new clinical trials and weight loss giants dipping their toes into the industry have played a role in boosting their visibility. According to Pew Research Center, around 75% of Americans have now heard about weight loss drugs, with 53% of them thinking they are good options to lose weight. With more options emerging, the awareness may continue to grow.
How weight loss drugs work
One of the more popular weight loss medications is semaglutide, sold under the familiar names of Ozempic and Wegovy—the latter of which is approved for weight loss treatment aside from diabetes management. They are glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone in the body, making you feel fuller for longer and reducing thoughts and cravings for food to facilitate weight loss. Novel drugs like tirzepatide, sold under Mounjaro, also work similarly but mimic both GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) hormones. A Weill Cornell Medicine study showed that a genetic weight loss variant within the GIP receptor may address obesity by modifying metabolism, giving tirzepatide an edge for weight loss.
Other drugs focus on regulating hormones produced in the gut, which influence hunger and satiety. The combination of phentermine and topiramate, under the brand name Qsymia, facilitates weight loss using these different mechanisms. Qsymia weight loss is carried out by raising the hormone noradrenaline (phentermine) and restricting the brain’s neurotransmitters like glutamate (topiramate). While they have different functions, they work together to suppress appetite and help patients feel full faster. Qsymia is also an older weight loss drug, having been approved for it in 2012. While it didn’t initially gain much commercial success, the weight loss drug boom has put it back on the map, providing patients with more options.
What’s next for weight loss drugs?
Aside from the resurgence of older weight loss medications, newer ones continue to be developed and approved for shedding pounds. For instance, Eli Lilly has recently launched a new drug called Zepbound, which belongs to the same class of drugs as Wegovy and Mounjaro. It was approved in late 2023 and is effective for patients, leading to an average weight loss of 22.5% body weight at its highest dose. Weight loss pills are also seeing more development, giving more delivery options aside from injections, which can be more complicated to use for some individuals. The worrying obesity rates in the US and all over the world are also keeping development and demand a high priority. Companies are also looking for more ways to address supply issues, hoping to beat shortages so those who need the medications can access them when needed.
