What is the Best Injection for Weight Loss?
Recently, GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide have taken over the weight loss conversation as an innovative new option to consider. These medications are delivered daily or weekly via subcutaneous injections.
GLP-1 agonists mimic the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 to influence insulin production and slow the digestive process. This leads to benefits like balancing blood sugar, curbing appetite, and helping patients feel fuller for longer.
There are three major GLP-1 agonist medications on the market:
- Semaglutide
- Liraglutide
- Tirzepatide
We’ll discuss the benefits of each and how they compare with each other.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is used for chronic weight management, obesity, and type-2 diabetes. It has been approved by the FDA under brand names like Ozempic and Wegovy.
As with other GLP-1 agonists, the medication helps regulate blood sugar levels by triggering insulin release and limiting the release of glucagon. It also slows down the digestive process, helping patients feel full for longer and reducing hunger cravings.
Semaglutide typically lowers blood sugar levels within the first week of use for type-2 diabetes. For weight management, significant weight loss often begins after 8-12 weeks of use. (Patient experiences vary.)
Semaglutide is currently available in two forms: subcutaneous injections once weekly or oral doses once daily. Injections have shown to be much more effective, but some patients may prefer oral doses depending on their individual needs.
During a 64-week medical trial, individuals who received injectable Semaglutide experienced a 14.9% reduction in their total body weight, whereas those given a placebo exhibited a 2.4% decrease in overall body weight. This is a statistically significant effect on weight loss.
What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is another prescription medication that can aid in weight loss and blood sugar control for patients who are obese, overweight, and/or have type-2 diabetes.
Like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide helps control blood sugar levels by influencing insulin production, leading to reduced weight gain and the fatigue associated with blood sugar spikes. It also slows down the digestive process, which lowers appetite in most patients.
Unlike Semaglutide, Tirzepatide acts as a GIP agonist as well as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
GIP, or Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, is another hormone that helps regulate the release of insulin. Some patients find that Tirzepatide is more effective and offers fewer side effects due to its secondary method of action with GIP.
Tirzepatide follows a similar long-term protocol as Semaglutide, with weight loss achieved over time in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.
In a 72-week study, participants experienced an average weight loss of 15-21% when taking different doses of Tirzepatide (5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg). This makes Tirzepatide’s effectiveness similar to that of Semaglutide, possibly a little more effective.
What is Liraglutide?
Liraglutide is yet another GLP-1 agonist medication that helps control blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss by acting on insulin production.
Like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, Liraglutide addresses the relationship between blood sugar and body weight by promoting weight loss and improving insulin sensitivity.
The biggest difference with Liraglutide is that it’s administered through a daily subcutaneous injection, rather than a weekly injection like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
This is necessary because Liraglutide metabolizes much faster than the other medications, meaning it’s out of the system faster. Many patients prefer to inject less frequently, and so opt for the other weight loss injections over Liraglutide.
However, because it’s injected daily, Liraglutide offers more control of blood sugar and dosage since adjustments can have a more immediate impact. It can also be helpful as a brief weight loss aid if a longer-term GLP-1 plan isn’t right for you.
A study conducted in 2015 looked at the effects of Liraglutide on weight loss in adults who were overweight or obese. Participants received daily injections of either Liraglutide (3mg) or a placebo for 56 weeks. The study found that those who received Liraglutide lost significantly more weight compared to the placebo group.
LIPO-C Lipotropic Injections
Lipotropics are a class of compounds that encourage fat-burning while protecting lean muscle. LIPO-C injections can be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise to support a weight loss plan. They can also be used alongside GLP-1 injections under provider supervision.
LIPO-C injections contain:
- L-Carnitine – An amino acid that facilitates fat breakdown, converting it into energy.
- Choline – Aiding in the transformation of fat into energy, Choline also promotes liver health, supports brain growth, facilitates muscle movement, and maintains proper nervous system function.
- L-Methionine – An essential amino acid crucial for muscle building and protein synthesis. In the presence of a calorie deficit, Methionine may help prevent the loss of muscle mass.
- B5 (Dexpanthenol) – This vitamin plays a role in breaking down fats and carbohydrates into energy, contributing to the formation of red blood cells and sex hormones.
Defy Medical also offers a discount when patients purchase LIPO-C along with B12 injections. Vitamin B12 support energy levels, which can give you the drive you need to accomplish your fitness goals.
Many patients find success with an individualized weight loss plan that includes GLP-1 injections alongside other support supplements.
Which Weight Loss Injection Right for Me?
Factors such as injection frequency, comfort with injections, effectiveness, and availability can impact which weight loss injection is right for you.
Here are some main points to consider:
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- Injection frequency: Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are injected once per week, while Liraglutide is injected once per day. Patients may prefer less frequent injections, but Liraglutide can also be helpful for quick adjustments to your plan and for a short-term jumpstart to your weight loss.
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- Efficacy: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, and Liraglutide have shown success in supporting weight loss. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide demonstrated slightly better weight loss outcomes than Liraglutide. Meanwhile, Tirzepatide works best for some patients due to its dual action as a GLP-1 and GIP agonist.
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- Access and availability: As GLP-1 injections gain popularity, shortages arise when more medication is being prescribed than produced. Semaglutide is currently facing a shortage and limited access, and Tirzepatide might follow suit as it becomes more prevalent. On the other hand, Liraglutide is typically available for most patients. Ultimately the best weight loss injection is the one you can access regularly, so speak to your provider about availability.
Still Not Sure What's the Best Weight Loss Injection?
Consult with a knowledgeable Defy Medical provider who can guide you through your options.
In this consultation, you’ll discuss your goals, starting weight, comfort with injections, and other factors to determine the best medication for you (as appropriate). You can also discuss support supplements like LIPO-C and B12 injections to create a customized plan built around your needs.
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