Browse the evidence

Semaglutide 2.4 mg administered once weekly for 6 months produces a mean body weight reduction of 10.5 kg (10.0%) in adults with obesity or overweight, with 79% of patients achieving clinically significant weight loss (≥5%).

If you have obesity or overweight with a related health condition, semaglutide 2.4 mg taken once weekly can help you lose an average of 10% of your body weight over 6 months. This is significantly more effective than diet and exercise alone for many people. You should discuss with your doctor if this treatment is appropriate for you, especially if you haven't used other weight-loss medications before.

Tirzepatide administered at low doses (≤10 mg) for 6 months produces clinically meaningful weight reduction (mean 11.9%) in non-diabetic adults, achieving outcomes comparable to higher doses used in clinical trials.

If you are starting tirzepatide for weight loss without diabetes, you do not need to reach the maximum dose to see significant results. In real-world use, staying on lower doses (like 5mg) for 6 months still resulted in an average 11.9% body weight reduction, which is clinically meaningful.

Real-world use of semaglutide for weight loss (SEMA-WL) in adults with obesity results in median weight loss of 17% after >5 months of treatment, with nausea and constipation being the most common side effects.

If you have obesity and are considering semaglutide, expect significant weight loss (around 17% after 5+ months) but also common side effects like nausea and constipation. Most users find self-injection manageable, though some prefer a pill. Talk to your doctor about managing side effects and setting realistic expectations.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) including dulaglutide, subcutaneous semaglutide, and oral semaglutide produce significant weight loss and BMI reduction in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity, with oral semaglutide achieving the highest proportion of patients reaching the clinically significant ≥5% weight loss threshold.

GLP-1 medications like dulaglutide and semaglutide (oral and injectable) are effective for weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. In this study, about half of the patients lost at least 5% of their body weight in just 3 months. Oral semaglutide was the most effective at getting patients to this 5% threshold. However, gastrointestinal side effects are common, and many patients do not reach the maximum dose. If you tolerate the medication, reaching the maximum dose is linked to better weight loss results. Consult your doctor about titration to maximize benefits.

GLP-1 agonist monotherapy (semaglutide or liraglutide) produces significantly greater weight loss and higher rates of achieving >5% and >10% weight loss compared to metformin monotherapy in patients with PCOS and obesity over a six-month period.

If you have PCOS and obesity, GLP-1 medications like semaglutide or liraglutide are likely more effective for weight loss than metformin alone. In this study, most patients on GLP-1 lost over 5% of their body weight, compared to only a quarter of those on metformin. Talk to your doctor about whether these medications are appropriate for you, considering potential side effects and cost.

Survodutide, a dual glucagon and GLP-1 receptor agonist, induces significant weight loss in adults with obesity without type 2 diabetes when administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection up-titrated to 3.6 or 6.0 mg alongside lifestyle modifications.

This treatment involves a weekly injection that mimics two natural hormones (GLP-1 and glucagon) to reduce appetite and increase energy burn. It is prescribed for adults with obesity who do not have diabetes. To maximize results, patients must follow a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. The dose starts low and increases slowly to minimize stomach upset, which is a common side effect.

Tirzepatide produces significantly greater monthly and annual weight loss, higher patient satisfaction, and improved quality of life compared to Semaglutide and Liraglutide in a Kuwaiti population.

If you are considering GLP-1 therapy for weight loss in Kuwait, Tirzepatide appears to offer the highest weight loss and satisfaction rates compared to Semaglutide and Liraglutide. Be aware that side effects like belching (Tirzepatide) or anxiety (Liraglutide) may influence your choice, and check government facility availability to manage costs.

Combination therapy of sibutramine (10 mg/d) and topiramate (100 mg/d) produces clinically meaningful weight loss (mean 10.2 kg at 36 months) with a tolerable safety profile in real-world clinical settings.

For individuals with obesity who cannot access newer, expensive medications, the combination of sibutramine (10mg) and topiramate (100mg) offers a cost-effective, clinically significant weight loss solution (approx. 10kg over 3 years). It requires medical supervision to manage potential side effects like increased blood pressure or paresthesia, but offers a viable alternative for long-term management in resource-limited settings.

Survodutide, a glucagon receptor/GLP-1 receptor dual agonist, induces significant body weight reduction in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) when administered weekly via subcutaneous injection alongside lifestyle modifications.

If you have obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, standard diet and exercise changes often lead to weight regain. This trial investigates a weekly injection (survodutide) that targets both glucose and fat metabolism pathways. It is designed to be taken alongside a modest calorie deficit (500 kcal/day) and 150 minutes of weekly exercise. The dose is slowly increased to minimize stomach side effects, which are common but manageable. This approach aims to provide more durable weight loss than lifestyle changes alone, addressing the specific challenge that T2D can blunt weight loss efforts.

Semaglutide 2.4 mg combined with the WeGoTogether digital support program yields substantial long-term weight loss, with mean percent weight loss reaching -20.4% at 24 months in a real-world setting.

If you have a BMI of 25 or higher, starting semaglutide 2.4 mg and using a digital support app like WeGoTogether can help you lose a significant amount of weight over two years. The app provides reminders, coaching, and tools to help you stay on track. Expect to lose around 20% of your body weight by the end of two years, based on this study's findings.

GCGR-based multi-agonists (mazdutide, pemvidutide, survodutide, retatrutide) produce significantly greater weight loss than existing GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP therapies by synergistically combining appetite suppression with increased energy expenditure.

If you have obesity and struggle with weight loss despite lifestyle changes, GCGR-based multi-agonists (like mazdutide, retatrutide, etc.) are emerging as highly effective treatments. They work by targeting multiple hormonal pathways to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure, often resulting in greater weight loss than current GLP-1 drugs. While they are injectable and can cause GI side effects, starting with lower doses and titrating up can help manage these effects. Consult a healthcare provider to see if you are a candidate, especially if you have comorbidities like T2DM or CV disease.

Combining a Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD) with liraglutide produces significantly greater weight loss and metabolic improvements compared to VLCKD alone, primarily through synergistic appetite suppression.

If you are struggling to lose weight with a very low-calorie ketogenic diet alone, adding liraglutide can significantly boost your results. In this study, adding the drug led to nearly 6kg more weight loss over 4 months. Be aware that you are much more likely to experience nausea or constipation, but for most participants, this did not stop them from completing the program. Consult a doctor to see if this combination is safe and appropriate for you, especially given the cost and side effect profile.

Regular aerobic exercise significantly improves cardiac function and reduces blood pressure in patients with cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

If you have high blood pressure or heart issues, start with moderate aerobic exercise like brisk walking or cycling. Aim for 3-5 days a week, doing 20-60 minutes at a time. Keep the intensity at 50-80% of what you can tolerate. This routine can lower your blood pressure by 5-17 mmHg, which is comparable to some medications. Always consult your doctor before starting.

Tirzepatide induces rapid, clinically significant weight loss and fat mass reduction within 30 days while preserving fat-free mass in adults with overweight or obesity.

If you are starting tirzepatide for obesity, expect to lose about 4 kg in the first month, mostly from fat stores rather than muscle. This happens even if you are still in the early dose-escalation phase. Adhering to the prescribed lifestyle changes (Mediterranean diet and walking) is part of the protocol, but the drug itself drives significant early fat loss. This rapid initial response can help maintain motivation for long-term treatment.

Treating 50% of moderate- to high-risk obesity patients (Class II and III, excluding diabetes) with 2.4 mg weekly semaglutide plus lifestyle intervention for 68 weeks reduces population prevalence of these obesity classes and yields significant annual societal cost savings.

For healthcare policymakers and insurers, implementing widespread access to 2.4 mg weekly semaglutide for moderate-to-high risk obesity (excluding diabetics) alongside lifestyle programs can significantly reduce the prevalence of severe obesity and save billions in societal costs over time. This requires ensuring affordability and addressing long-term adherence.

GLP-1 agonists (e.g., semaglutide) and abstinence-based dietary interventions (Bright Line Eating) are the most effective non-surgical weight loss methods because they directly target the neurological addiction to ultra-processed foods.

If you struggle with food addiction, standard dieting will likely fail. Consider treatments that address the biological addiction, such as GLP-1 agonists or strict abstinence-based programs like Bright Line Eating, which have shown higher sustained success rates by targeting the root neurological drivers.

Retatrutide, a triple hormone agonist (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon), administered subcutaneously once weekly, produces substantial, progressive weight loss (up to 24.2%) and HbA1c reduction in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes, significantly outperforming placebo and, in some metrics, the dual agonist tirzepatide.

Retatrutide is a once-weekly injection that combines three hormones to help you lose significant weight and lower blood sugar. It works best if you start with a low dose and increase it slowly to manage stomach side effects. While it causes more nausea than other drugs, it leads to greater weight loss, potentially helping you reach a level of weight loss that can put type 2 diabetes into remission. You should expect regular check-ins and lifestyle counseling alongside the medication.

GLP-1 receptor agonists and co-agonists induce significant weight loss (10–25%) in adults without diabetes, with newer multi-agonists (e.g., tirzepatide, retatrutide) demonstrating superior efficacy compared to earlier single-agonists.

If you have obesity or overweight with related health issues, GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide or tirzepatide) are now a standard, effective treatment option that can produce significant weight loss (10-25%), comparable to surgery. Newer oral options exist, and these drugs work independently of diabetes status. Consult a doctor to see if you qualify, as they are typically reserved for those who haven't succeeded with lifestyle changes alone.

Retatrutide (LY3437943) administered subcutaneously once weekly produces significant, dose-dependent weight loss and improved glycaemic control in adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes, outperforming placebo and dulaglutide at higher doses (8-12 mg).

Retatrutide is a once-weekly injection that significantly reduces body weight (up to 26 kg in trials) and improves blood sugar control in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes. It works by targeting three hormone receptors (GIP, GLP-1, Glucagon). Higher doses (8-12 mg) are more effective but may cause mild gastrointestinal side effects that usually improve over time. It appears more effective than some existing treatments like dulaglutide for weight loss.

Tirzepatide treatment in patients with obesity and type 1 diabetes results in significant weight loss (median 8.5-12.2%) and reduced insulin requirements without increasing hypoglycemia or serious adverse events.

If you have Type 1 Diabetes and obesity, Tirzepatide is a viable option for weight loss and reducing insulin needs. Start with a low dose (2.5mg) and increase slowly to minimize nausea. You must work with your doctor to adjust your insulin doses to prevent hypoglycemia. Combine the medication with a modest calorie deficit and regular exercise for best results.

Phenotype-guided prescribing of anti-obesity medications (matching drug to underlying pathophysiology like 'hungry brain' or 'hungry gut') results in significantly greater weight loss compared to standard non-phenotype-guided care.

If standard weight loss medications aren't working well, ask your doctor about 'phenotype-guided' prescribing. This involves identifying whether your obesity is driven by 'hungry brain' (satiety issues), 'hungry gut' (satiety signals), 'emotional hunger', or 'slow burn' (metabolism). Matching the right drug (like Phentermine/Topiramate for hungry brain or Liraglutide for hungry gut) to your specific type can nearly double your chances of losing more than 10% of your body weight compared to standard care.

Tirzepatide, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, produces substantial, clinically meaningful, and sustained weight reduction in adults with obesity (BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidities) when used as an adjunct to lifestyle intervention, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to selective GLP-1 receptor agonists.

If you have obesity (BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with health issues like high blood pressure or sleep apnea), tirzepatide is a once-weekly injection that works by mimicking gut hormones (GIP and GLP-1) to help you lose weight. It is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. The dose starts low (2.5 mg) and increases every 4 weeks to minimize stomach issues, reaching up to 15 mg. Clinical trials are designed to show it causes more weight loss than older drugs like semaglutide.

Combination anti-obesity medications (AOMs) are more effective than monotherapy for treating weight regain after bariatric surgery, with patients prescribed three or more AOMs losing significantly more weight than those on one.

If you have regained weight after bariatric surgery, taking just one weight-loss medication may not be enough. This study suggests that using a combination of anti-obesity medications, along with lifestyle changes, leads to significantly greater weight loss than using a single medication. Talk to your doctor about whether a combination approach is right for you, keeping in mind that access and cost can be barriers.

Long-term treatment with semaglutide 2.4 mg (up to 68 weeks) produces significant weight loss (mean 14.5-14.8%) and improves cardiometabolic biomarkers (blood pressure, HbA1c, LDL, triglycerides) in real-world patients with obesity or overweight.

If you have obesity or overweight with a related health condition, semaglutide 2.4 mg taken once weekly can lead to significant weight loss (around 15% of body weight) and improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol over a year. This is based on real-world data from thousands of patients, suggesting it works effectively outside of strict clinical trial settings. You must be willing to stay on the medication for at least a year to see these full benefits.