<< Back
Which Weight Loss Drug Is Right for Me?
August 14, 2024
With so many choices for weight loss medications, it can be hard to know where to begin.
But which weight loss drug is right for you? We asked Joseph St. Pierre, DO, a medical weight loss specialist with Hartford HealthCare, for guidance.
Your doctor is there to guide you through the weight loss process.
The conversation starts with your doctor, who is there to help you navigate the weight loss process.
“A good candidate for prescription weight loss drugs is someone who has tried losing weight through calorie reduction, dietary changes and/or exercise without success,” says Dr. St. Pierre. “Medication might also benefit those who have lost weight but regained it, or for those who couldn’t lose it at all.”
Your doctor will review your weight loss journey, challenges you encountered along the way and health history to help guide the decision.
“We typically look at the weight history and why someone gained weight,” explains Dr. St. Pierre. “That helps us work towards reversing the cause.”
Your medical history is key in finding the safest and most effective weight loss medication for you. Be sure to discuss any of the following conditions with your doctor, as they can impact which medication is best:
It’s important to share your full medical history because certain conditions can impact your medication choice, including:
- Pancreatitis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic pain medication use
- Gastroparesis
- Heart disease
> Related: Bariatric Surgery vs. Weight Loss Pills – What’s Right for Me?
2 of the most commonly prescribed weight loss drugs.
You might recognize the names of prescription weight loss medications, but do you know how they work?
With help from Dr. St. Pierre, here’s a quick guide to the two of the most commonly prescribed options:
- Zepbound®/Mounjaro® (tirzepatide): This medication helps suppress appetite by signaling fullness to the brain and reducing the speed at which food travels through the gastrointestinal tract, giving a sense of fullness. It also optimizes insulin levels for weight loss.
- Wegovy®/Ozempic® (semaglutide): While this medication works similarly to tirzepatide in promoting fullness and slowing digestion, they are not identical. Your doctor can explain their important differences when determining which one is right for you.
> Want more health news? Text StartHere to 85209 to sign up for text alerts
There isn’t one solution for everyone.
You might have a medication in mind, but it may not be the best fit.
“Many patients want to get on the Ozempic® train without really knowing the risks and if they are actually a good fit,” explains Dr. St. Pierre.
He adds that 95% of participants in the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) clinical trial had side effects.
“Weight loss is individualized,” says Dr. St. Pierre. “Not everything needs to be an injection. You have to pick a program and get started. That program may or may not work for you. There is a lot of trial and error in this process until you find the right fit.”
What if your insurance doesn’t cover these prescriptions?
This challenge (and price tag) is a common hurdle.
“There are very real insurance issues with these medications,” says Dr. St. Pierre. “This is the biggest frustration in this process.”
If your policy doesn’t cover weight loss medications, it’s not over.
“Some affordable out-of-pocket options can also help,” adds Dr. St. Pierre. “Remember that these medications will likely become more affordable over time. If you’re interested in an injectable treatment but can’t currently afford it or don’t have coverage, it’s probably a question of when, not if, it will become accessible.”