Overview
Certain classes of diabetes medications have the added benefit of helping patients with type 2 diabetes lose weight. However, all these drugs are not FDA-approved for weight management purposes. Diabetes medication for weight loss requires certain criteria to be fulfilled, and it requires a prescription.
This article will provide insight on the best diabetes drug for weight loss, how these drugs work, and whether you qualify for a particular drug.
How do diabetes drugs help with weight loss?
Typically diabetes drugs help to regulate blood glucose levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, these drugs have been shown to aid in weight loss in individuals with obesity.
Diabetes weight loss drugs include classes such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors, which have different modes of action but ultimately promote weight reduction.
GLP-1 receptor agonists aid weight loss by:
- This class of diabetes medicine for weight loss lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to release insulin. Moreover, it reduces appetite and leads to slow stomach emptying, which helps retain the feeling of fullness.
SGLT-2 inhibitors aid in weight loss by:
- Causing the excess blood sugar to be eliminated through the urine.
Diabetes medication for weight loss works optimally if healthy lifestyle changes are made. To facilitate weight loss and maintain your weight, a healthy diet and exercise are a must alongside these diabetes medications.
Which diabetes medications can cause weight loss?
Diabetes weight loss medication or diabetes shot for weight loss act differently on the body and are taken differently.
The commonly prescribed medications for diabetes and weight loss include:
- Ozempic ( Semaglutide) is a popular weight loss shot for diabetics.
- Rybelsus (Semaglutide)
- Wegovy (Semaglutide)
- Victoza (Liraglutide)
- Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- Trulicity (Dulaglutide)
- Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)
- Metformin (Fortmeza and Glutmeza)
- Canagliflozin (Invokana)
- Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
- Dapagliflozin (Farxiga)
Injectable diabetes drugs
The following diabetes medications for weight loss are taken as weekly injections for diabetes and weight loss.
- Mounjaro
Moujaro is one of the diabetes injections for weight loss containing the active ingredient Tirzepatide (GIP and glucagon-like peptide-1 GLP-1 receptor agonists).
According to studies, Mounjaro helped patients lose 41 pounds in 72 weeks on average.
- Ozempic and other GLP-1 agonists
These diabetes drugs for weight loss are classified as Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are very popular injections used for weight loss.
GLP-1 diabetes drugs include:
- Ozempic (Semaglutide)
- Saxenda (Liraglutide)
- Victoza (Liraglutide)
- Trulicity (Dulaglutide)
Oral diabetes drugs (pills)
Oral drugs to lower a1c and induce weight loss include:
- Rybelsus
Rybelsus is a GLP-1 pill approved by the FDA, containing Semaglutide, the same ingredient present in Ozempic.
Rybelsus has been proven to aid in weight loss of about 8 pounds in 6 months.
- Invokana and other SGLT-2 inhibitors
SGLT-2 inhibitors include:
- Canagliflozin (generic Invokana)
- Empagliflozin (generic Jardiance)
- Dapagliflozin (generic Farxiga)
These pills are taken every day and have helped patients lose around 3-5 pounds in the duration of 6 months.
- Metformin
These weight loss pills for type 2 diabetes are commonly available as Glucophage or Glumetza. Metformin is usually taken once a day with food. It has been shown to help patients lose over 12 pounds in 6 months.
How long can you stay on these drugs for weight loss?
Diabetes meds for weight loss do not have a specified duration. If these weight loss diabetes medications are working without any worrisome side effects, your physician will let you continue using them for treating obesity.
Who should take a diabetes drug for weight loss?
Some drugs may be approved for the management of weight in patients with type 2 diabetes but many are used off-label for weight management.
Diabetes drugs for weight loss are usually prescribed to patients who fulfill the following criteria:
- Have a body mass index over 30 (are obese)
- Are overweight (a BMI over 25) with type 2 diabetes
- Do not have any significant health risks or contraindications for a particular drug
When to consult a doctor?
Diabetes drugs for weight loss may not be suitable for everyone. The treatment options can vary and depend on a number of factors. Hence, to discuss the best diabetes medication for weight loss according to your medical history, it is best to consult one of our doctors at Your Doctors Online. Our platform can provide you with the best care and a comprehensive plan by connecting you with a nutritionist as well.
FAQs about the best diabetes drugs for weight loss
Usually, the short-term side effects of Ozempic subside. Some long-term side effects from Ozempic may include vision problems, pancreatitis,acute gallbladder disease, and acute kidney injury.
Everyone does not experience weight changes from diabetes medications. Different types of medications work in various ways to aid in lowering blood glucose. The risk of weight gain or weight loss will depend on the medication prescribed to you and the type of lifestyle that you exhibit.
