Unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise are making almost everybody more prone to fall into obesity pitfalls. These habits produce undesired substances resulting in an imbalance in the body’s metabolism impacting sugar levels and fat in the body. Since we don’t get enough time to correct and align our lives for healthy lifestyles, we run for a shortcut in the form of medicines.
Fortunately, scientists have unintentionally manifested this remedy. Some diabetes medicines may help us to get shredded and simultaneously maintain our sugar level on a healthy scale. But which diabetes medications cause weight loss? Does diabetes medication cause weight loss at all? To get answers to these questions keep reading this blog.
Medications For Weight Loss:
It is very alarming that 70 percent of the total adult population is overweight in the US and the country has a higher than healthy Body Mass Index scale which is creating more burden on the economy related to health problems. Luckily we have some medicines as diabetes remedies that also have some positive impact on the body.
These medicines have shown a significant result as a reduction in the risk of other fat-related diseases by losing 5 to 10 percent of patients’ weight. These remedies work by eliminating glucose from the human body while some of them curb the appetite desire of the person. These diabetes pills that cause weight loss are explained in detail below:
Symlin:
Also known as Pramlintide, is the only FDA-approved artificial hormone synthetic drug that lowers the sugar in the blood in diabetes patients. The pancreas secretes amylin with insulin. This Symlin mimicks amylin which is a residue peptide hormone. Its functions as:
- It slows the rate of food movement resulting in an increased time taken by food to reach the intestine from the stomach.
- It reduces liver secretion helping in lowering blood sugar levels and hunger reduction.
Metformin:
Metformin, known by the brand name Glucophage, is one of the essential medicines as per WHO’s list of essential medicines. It is an anti-hyperglycemic agent and the most prescribed drug for diabetes. Results have shown that up to 6 pounds of weight can be reduced using it.
Its working may be understood by the fact that it reduces natural insulin and the secretion of blood glucose by the liver. Moreover, It increases GDF(Growth differentiation factor) secretion ultimately reducing caloric intake by reducing appetite. GDF 15 is responsible for inflammation pathways regulation.
Glucophage is one of the significant pills as it comes with less risk of causing blood sugar to lower levels. Few studies suggested that it is safer for the short-term but its side effects in the long term are still unknown.
GLP-1(glucagon-like peptide 1) agonists:
These are type 2 diabetes drugs and are FDA-approved. The name of these medicines is Ozempic (semaglutide, an injection) and Rybelsus, which is a pill.
Ozempic
GLP1 glucagon-like peptide agonists are a group of medications responsible in role for insulin release. These medicines function by controlling the insulin release after a meal or food consumption. Ozempic has a desired result of 15-20 percent of total weight reduction. It is prescribed Off-label to patients having a BMI of 30 plus or a BMI of 27 with some kind of medical condition. Semaglutide is relatively better when compared with other GLP1 medicines like Liraglutide.
Liraglutide
Approved in 2014 FDA approval in the United States gained popularity for its good results in weight loss. It is best utilized for high amounts of fat and chronic obesity. Generally known by its brand names Victoza and Saxenda. They are capable of cutting significant weight by 6-7 percent of the total weight of the patient. It works by inhibiting food-related high blood sugar
and increasing insulin release from the pancreas.
Saxenda is useful for fit persons as well which means those who are healthy otherwise and don’t have diabetes.
Trulicity
The medicine Trulicity is the brand name for Dulaglutide. Trulicity is sometimes called incretin mimetic due to its way of mimicking hormonal function that maintains the normal sugar levels of blood. Dulaglutide ingredient is associated with greater weight loss and a few trials also showed the result in weight loss of 5 to 7 lbs of weight/
It makes you feel full stomach and ultimately less intake of food. This is beneficial for treating Cardiovascular disease as well.
Mounjaro:
Tirzepatide is being sold under the brand name Mounjaro. It is an injection combination of GLP1 with GIP(glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). It is better than Ozempic for controlling blood glucose levels and keeping them under desired and healthy levels.
By taking Mounjaro injection shots regularly, up to 15-25 pounds of weight percent could be reduced.
SGLT-2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter 2) inhibitors:
Gliflozins generally called SGLT-2, perform the function of sodium-glucose transport protein modulation. In simpler words, it means it removes blood glucose by stopping intake by the kidney’s basic unit, the nephron, and then excretes it via urinal passage. The lower the amount of glucose in the blood, the less will be the availability of glucose for fat accumulation. These tablets mentioned below are in the World Health Organisation’s essential list of medicines.
Farxiga
Farxiga(Dapagliflozin) pill, 75 grams in amount, eliminates blood glucose equivalent to 300 calories. It works by getting rid of extra glucose from the bloodstream through the kidney. The beneficial metabolic effect of this SGLT2 inhibitor pill is the reabsorption of glucose in the kidney which ultimately results in lowering blood sugar.
Few data also suggested that approximately 10 lbs of body weight can be reduced using this pill. Its result may be enhanced with other medicines like metformin.
Jardiance
FDA-approved Jardiance is a generic medicine and it is the brand name for empagliflozin. Enlisting this drug in the WHO list of essential medicines shows its importance in deciding its effectiveness. While few studies suggested that Jardiance can help shred 4-6 pounds of weight it does not cut a high amount of weight but reduces it moderately.
It shows better results when taken in combination with Jardiance and Metformin in addition to dietary and lifestyle changes. These all can result in achieving a weight loss of 12 lbs within 6 months only.
Things To Consider Before Taking Diabetes Medications For Weight Loss:
Like every medicine, these diabetes medicines require meticulous calculation while taking them. Before you consume these pills or injections here are some important points you must remember.
- These pills/medicines show results after a Long-term course.
- These have some mild to severe side effects like nausea, dehydration, loss of glucose, vomiting, Diarrhea, etc.
- Fatigue is one of the side effects making you lethargic and disturbs your daily routine.
- These can cause changes in bowel movement.
- Taking these medicines can have a negative outcome that as Hypoglycemia(lower sugar levels)
- You should take these medicines, especially SGLT2 inhibitors, in the morning to avoid peeing needs at night.
- Glycosuria can be a severe side effect because of the depletion of glucose in high amounts through urine.
- Go to the doctor or seek professional help if you experience Belly pain, Headache, Tiredness, or Dehydration.
Summary:
Undoubtedly, these diabetes medicines work but these are simply sugar-level management pills that work in different ways. Despite the popularity and prescription availability, these require more evidence-based claims. So it is better to get your pills only with appropriate prescription and utilize them with a healthy lifestyle routine.
Read More:
How To Use Meridia For Weight Loss?