The 4 Most Popular Weight Loss Drugs In 2021

What You Need To Know About GLP-1’s,

GLP-1 agonists have grown quickly in popularity amongst weight loss patients. You may know them commonly as Wegovy, Saxenda or Ozempic; among others. Why have these  weight loss drugs proven successful patients? Here’s how they work:

1. GLP -1 stands for “Glucagon-like Peptide 1”, and when naturally produced, it belongs to a family of hormones produced in the gut.
2. It acts by:
   • Releasing insulin in response to food.
   • Decreasing glucagon, keeping your blood sugar in balance.
   • Increasing satiety, which allows you to feel full.
   • Decreasing gastric motility, slowing food traveling through the digestive tract.
   • Protecting pancreatic B cells which produce insulin
   • Protects heart function by supporting myocardial electric and mechanical performance
   • Increasing moment of glucose to muscle cells.
   • Decreases the body’s ability to transform non-carbohydrates into glucose
   • Increases cardiac output
3. Synthetically made, these medications have a similar effect on the body. They may be taken orally or by self-administered injection.
   

   Some of the most commonly prescribed, most popular Weight Loss Drugs

   • Trulicity (Dulaglutide)—once a week by injection
   • Ozempic (Semaglutide)—once a week by injection
   • Wegovy (Semaglutide) – once a week by injection
   • Saxenda (Liraglutide) – daily by injection
   • Rybelsus (Semaglutide) – taken by mouth once daily
4. Side effects and contraindications to be aware of:
   • Weakness, Dizziness, Headache
   • Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Constipation
   • Local injection site reaction
   • Hypoglycemia
   • Not indicated for those with MEN syndrome or medullary carcinoma of thyroid.

Think you may be a candidate for these medications? We’re currently accepting new patients for our weight loss program, and would love to help you reach your goals! Contact us at 317-548-4666 or contact@mytrimmd.com

Dr. Kesa

Dr. Srinivasu Kesa, MD, is a double board-certified physician in Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine with over 30 years of clinical experience. As the founder of MD Wellness Center and Med Spa in Indianapolis, he specializes in science-backed, non-surgical aesthetics, regenerative therapies, and personalized medical weight loss.