Weight loss injections compared

These are prescription injectable medications, most commonly GLP-1 receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and tirzepatide), that help reduce appetite and promote weight loss, used for people meeting specific clinical criteria.

Most work by mimicking natural gut hormones that increase feelings of fullness, slow stomach emptying, and reduce appetite, helping people eat less and lose weight when combined with lifestyle changes.

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort, particularly when starting treatment or increasing the dose, which often improve over time.

They have been studied in large clinical trials and are considered generally safe for appropriate candidates when prescribed and monitored by a healthcare professional, though they aren't suitable for everyone and carry some specific risks and contraindications.

Options like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) work through slightly different hormone pathways, with tirzepatide often associated with somewhat greater average weight loss in trials, though individual response varies and suitability is assessed case by case.

They are generally intended for longer-term use as part of ongoing weight management, with weight regain common if stopped without continued lifestyle support, similar to management of other chronic conditions.

Injections are non-surgical, reversible, and generally suit people with a lower degree of excess weight or those wanting to avoid surgery, while bariatric surgery is a more invasive but often more durable option typically considered for higher levels of excess weight or when other approaches haven't been sufficient.

Clinical trial results vary by specific medication and dose, but many people achieve meaningful weight loss (commonly in the range of ten to twenty percent of body weight) over about a year, alongside lifestyle changes.

See a doctor or weight management specialist to discuss suitability and options. NHS access has specific eligibility criteria and can involve waits; private weight management clinics can often arrange assessment within about one to two weeks.