Oral weight loss medication vs GLP-1s: Which is right for me?
Kim Phelps
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Oct 10, 2023
Injectable weight loss treatments or oral tablets? Our experts help you decide which is the best treatment for your personal weight goals.
Although you’ll likely have heard about Ozempic in relation to weight loss, it is currently only approved by the FDA to treat patients with type 2 diabetes. However, it is available off-label as a weight management treatment (which just means your prescription won’t be covered by insurance). If you’re interested in understanding the average weight loss on Ozempic – and when you can expect to see results – read on.
Ozempic’s active ingredient is Semaglutide – a medication belonging to a group of drugs called Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s). Although the name sounds complex, their mechanism of action is quite straightforward. The body naturally produces a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 when we eat. That GLP-1 helps regulate our blood sugar levels, slow stomach emptying (which makes us feel fuller for longer) and suppress appetite. Drugs like Ozempic are GLP-1 receptor agonists, which simply means they imitate this natural hormone to produce the same outcomes. It is administered as a self-administered, once-weekly injection (drugs.com, 2020). [1]
As previously mentioned, Ozempic was originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes – because of its ability to regulate the body’s blood sugar levels. It soon became clear that it had provable and sustained weight loss benefits.(drugs.com, 2020). [1]
As with any treatment, there are multiple factors that can affect the weight loss outcomes when taking Ozempic. Not only will every person respond differently to the medication (due to metabolic differences or preexisting health conditions), lifestyle interventions like diet and physical activity will help determine how much weight you’ll lose while taking Ozempic or any other GLP-1 medication (Wilding et al., 2021). [2]
Semgalutide has been widely researched over the years – as have active ingredients like tirzepatide and liraglutide used in other popular weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Saxenda. In clinical trials people using Ozempic (semaglutide) were shown to lose between 7% and 12% of their body weight after a year (Wilding et al., 2021). [2]
Weight loss with Ozempic typically begins gradually and increases as the dosage is titrated up. Most people begin to see significant weight loss within the first few weeks, the rate of loss then increases as doses increase over time. Overall weight loss varies depending on individual factors like diet, activity levels, and metabolic responses, but it’s primarily due to fat loss as appetite is reduced, and food intake becomes better regulated.
GLP-1 treatments are designed to continue working long-term – and our clinical experts here at Levity suggest you remain on your medication for at least six months. Semaglutide injections have been shown in SELECT clinical trials to sustain weight loss over 65 weeks and for up to 4 years in both sexes, all races, body sizes and regions (Ryan et al., 2024). [3]
Here at Levity, we know that it isn’t enough to rely on medication alone to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Weight loss should be supported by a healthy, low calorie diet and strength training (to replace lost muscle mass in the initial phase of weight loss) for long-term results. That’s why included with your monthly weight loss medication you’ll get access to free health coaching to help you see the results you want – and sustain them long-term.
Ozempic is only available with a prescription. Here at Levity, you can do the whole process online, meaning you don’t have to visit your primary care physician or wait in line at the pharmacy. After an initial online consultation to determine your eligibility, our clinical experts will recommend the GLP-1 treatments to suit your weight loss goals – then will send you medication to your door each month. You can start your consultation today, right here.
1.Drugs.com. Ozempic [Internet]. Drugs.com. Drugs.com; 2020. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/ozempic.html
2. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2021 Feb 10;384(11):989–1002. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. Ryan DH, Lingvay I, Deanfield J, Kahn SE, Barros E, Burguera B, et al. Long-term weight loss effects of semaglutide in obesity without diabetes in the SELECT trial. Nature Medicine [Internet]. 2024 May 13;1–9. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02996-7
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