Have you been told that weight loss drugs like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have serious side
effects and should therefore be avoided?
While there are possible side effects, you can largely curtail them by starting with lower dosages. So, the negativity is a case of exaggerating side effects that are temporary and manageable.
“Some people can lose weight fairly easily,” says Jessica Snyder, RD at FuturHealth, which provides scientifically proven weight-loss drugs. “They shed the pounds relatively quickly by eating right, exercising regularly, and drinking lots of water. But others struggle despite doing everything they can to lose weight.”
Practicing self-control, doing all the right things, and seeing no progress when stepping onto a scale can be discouraging, adds the representative, adding that taking weight-loss drugs can be the missing piece in a plan to shed some weight and keep it off.
Taking medications like semaglutide, Zepbound, and Ozempic can be part of an effective weight-loss program. You can more quickly lose and keep off the weight. But if you give in to the misconceptions about weight-loss medications, you might miss out on medical options that can help.
Continue reading to see some of the weight-loss benefits of specific drugs — and three misconceptions you should stop believing.
Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a drug that’s good for more than just weight loss. According to one source, clinical trials involving the drug show that participants lost weight totaling an average of 15% of their body weight. Other benefits include better metabolic health, blood sugar control, and appetite suppression.
Zepbound
Zepbound is another effective weight-loss drug to consider. Primarily prescribed as a treatment for people with Type 2 diabetes, Zepbound was approved in 2023 by the U.S. FDA to help overweight adults shed the pounds and keep them off. Combining the weight-loss drug with a healthy diet and regular exercise can be the winning formula you need.
Ozempic
One study cited by Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials shows that obese people who took Ozempic and adopted healthier lifestyles lost around 15% of their body weight within 68 weeks. It adds that the people lost an average of 34 lbs and that participants who didn’t use the drugs lost an average of around 6 lbs. So, it goes without saying that the potential for weight loss is great with Ozempic.
After looking at some popular weight-loss drugs that can deliver results and help you succeed on your weight-loss journey, it makes sense to consider some popular misconceptions that you can safely put to rest.
Misconception: Weight-Loss Drugs Are Just for Diabetics
It’s true that many weight-loss drugs are primarily designed to treat people with Type 2 diabetes. But these medications have multiple purposes — which is not uncommon. So, drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide, while beneficial to diabetics, are also beneficial to people who want to lose and keep off weight. So, don’t let anyone discourage you from considering these drugs just because they’re good for more than just weight loss.
Misconception: Weight-Loss Drugs Will Destroy Your Appetite
Another misconception is that taking weight-loss drugs like semaglutide or tirzepatide will do a number on your taste buds. If you’ve heard that these drugs will lessen your hunger to where you don’t have a desire to eat, don’t believe it. You will get hungry even after taking weight-loss drugs. It’s the intense cravings that will subside substantially.
Misconception: Weight-Loss Drugs Must Be Taken Forever
Another misconception you might have heard is that you must take weight-loss drugs forever to maintain the results. But that’s not true. You can use the medications to lose weight and keep it off. If you adopt healthy lifestyle changes, weight-loss drugs won’t have to be a life-long commitment.
These are some of the popular misconceptions about weight-loss drugs that many people assume are true. You need the right information to make informed decisions about your health.
