Ultimate Guide to Weight Loss Medications: Saxenda, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound Explained

Introduction

Are you wondering which weight loss medication works best? Do you need to take them weekly or daily? What are their costs, and will insurance cover them? How do they work, and what side effects can you expect?

Read on to learn more about the differences among the most effective weight loss medications: Saxenda, Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.

Saxenda (Liraglutide)

Overview

• Dosage: 0.6 mg to 3.0 mg daily - a daily injection

• Average Weight Loss: 6.0% body weight in 1 year

• Cost: $107.92 per week without insurance

• Mechanism of Action: Slows gastric emptying, decreases food intake, increases insulin secretion, decreases glucagon secretion, and increases B-cell growth

• Approval: BMI > 30 or BMI > 27 with at least one weight-related health condition

• Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, constipation, etc.

• Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Overview

• Dosage: 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly - a weekly injection

• Average Weight Loss: 12.4% body weight in 1 year

• Cost: $404.71 per week without insurance

• Mechanism of Action: Acts in the brain to regulate appetite and caloric intake

• Approval: BMI > 30 or > 27 with a condition

• Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, constipation, etc.

• Severe Risks: Kidney injury, thyroid cancer, etc.

Ozempic (Semaglutide)

Overview

• Dosage: 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg weekly - a weekly injection

• Average Weight Loss: 12.4% body weight in 1 year

• Cost: $374.31 per week without insurance

• Mechanism of Action: Similar to Wegovy

• Approval: Type 2 diabetes (not for weight loss alone)

• Common Side Effects: Abdominal pain, nausea, etc.

• Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.

Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

Overview

• Dosage: 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly - a weekly injection

• Average Weight Loss: 18% body weight in 72 weeks

• Cost: $317.96 per week without insurance

• Mechanism of Action: Slows gastric emptying, decreases food intake, etc.

• Approval: BMI > 30 or > 27 with a condition

• Common Side Effects: Nausea, decreased appetite, etc.

• Severe Risks: Kidney injury, diabetic retinopathy, etc.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

Overview

• Dosage: 2.5 mg to 15 mg weekly - a weekly injection

• Average Weight Loss: 18% body weight in 72 weeks

• Cost: $306.91 per week without insurance

• Mechanism of Action: Similar to Zepbound

• Approval: Type 2 diabetes (not for weight loss alone)

• Common Side Effects: Nausea, decreased appetite, etc.

• Severe Risks: Kidney injury, gallbladder disease, etc.

Conclusion

If you are interested in learning more about metabolic health and weight loss, please consult us at Dignity Weight Center. We would be honored to meet you, and we accept most insurances.

https://www.dignityweightcenter.com/book-online

References

• Uptodate.com

Understanding GLP-1 Medication Costs for Weight Loss:

A Guide by Dignity Weight Center

You may have witnessed the excitement surrounding the new classes of medications being used for weight loss: GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Wegovy and Ozempic, and the newer, dual action (GLP1/GIP) medications like Mounjaro and Zepbound.

You may have even seen that Oprah, the founder of Weight Watchers, has been open about using weight loss medication in her own journey.

How much do these medications cost?

First, remember the long term time-frame of the cost. The data from using these medications for weight loss are promising, with more studies currently being conducted for other uses like cardiovascular disease, fatty liver and substance use disorders.

Consider How Long You Need to Be On the GLP1

While effective, weight loss medications are intended to be used as adjuncts to a healthful lifestyle. You can maximize the results of the medication by optimizing your nutrition, activity, stress and sleep. As is lifestyle change, these medications are intended to be lifelong, which is an important factor when considering cost.

Cost of GLP1 Medications WITHOUT Insurance Coverage

Below is the pricing of these medications without insurance coverage. For your convenience, they are sorted by the condition for which the FDA has approved use. Currently, none of these medications are FDA-approved for prediabetes. Talk with your clinician to see if you qualify for any of these medications.

Weight Management

Wegovy: $404.71 weekly

Zepbound: $317.96 weekly

Saxenda: $107.92 weekly

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Ozempic: $374.31 weekly

Mounjaro: $306.91 weekly

Trulicity: $279.26 weekly

Rybelsus: $262.01 weekly

Victoza: $148.91 weekly

Cost of GLP1 Medications WITH Insurance Coverage

You can save a significant amount of money with insurance coverage. For example, one of our patients with Blue Cross Blue Shield pays $35 per month for her Wegovy prescription, and another patient with UnitedHealthcare and CVS Caremark pays $140 for a 90-day supply of Zepbound.

It’s best to call your insurance company directly to see which medications are covered by your plan, as coverage varies. The amount you pay for a medication depends on your specific plan, your plan’s preferred drug list, and your deductible.

Cost of GLP1 Medications With Compounding

Another factor that can influence the cost of these medications is compounding, which involves adding other ingredients like vitamins or supplements, and then selling it as one combined product. As a result, these typically cost more (and usually out-of-pocket). If you are pursuing a prescription for a weight loss medication, inquire about whether it is a compounded version.

*It’s important to note that the compounded medications are NOT FDA-approved, therefore they have not undergone the safety, efficacy or quality testing that FDA-approved medications have.

More information on compounded medications here:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/drug-compounding-and-drug-shortages#:~:text=Compounded%20drugs%20are%20not%20FDA,in%20an%20FDA%2Dapproved%20drug.

and on compounded Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) here:

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss

For more information on the side effects of these medications, please review this article:

https://www.dignityweightcenter.com/blog/what-are-the-side-effects-of-glp1-medications

How to Save Money on the Cost of GLP1 Medications

Ways to save money:

Try savings cards! Search “[medication] savings card” on Google and oftentimes, the manufacturer will have a discount card on their website to save on your first few months of use of their prescription.

Use GoodRx.com, which can save you money simply by changing the location of where you pick up your medication. They also have discount cards for certain medications on their website.

At Dignity Weight Center, we focus on a healthful lifestyle as the avenue to weight loss. We would love to meet with you to discuss how we can optimize your health so that you never need another diet or weight loss program in the future.

If you are interested in learning more about metabolic health and weight loss, please consult us at Dignity Weight Center! We would be honored to meet you, and we take most insurances!

---

Understanding GLP-1 Medication Side Effects: Insights from Dignity Weight Center

I. Learning About GLP-1 Drugs

Have you heard about GLP1 medications like Wegovy, Ozempic (semaglutide), or Mounjaro, and Zepbound (tirzepatide)? These hip drugs are mimicking this hormone and help with weight loss and diabetes.  They assist by regulating blood sugar and insulin levels, and reducing glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar.

These GLP1 medications act as weight loss and diabetes superheroes, particularly when other therapies are failing. They are renowned for their ability to regulate blood sugar levels and decrease food cravings and hunger by their action in the brain as well as the gut.

II. How Your Belly Is Affected

And now for the less than stellar stuff. With these medications, some people report feeling sick. In order for patients to feel well and continue with the treatment, this stomach issue must be managed.

In order to avoid the stomach blues, people may employ strategies. For example, consuming smaller meals more frequently, introducing medications gradually, or varying the timing of their intake.

In addition to feeling ill, others may have diarrhea, throw up, or simply feel queasy in general. Although less frequent, it's important to recognize and manage these when using GLP1 medications.

III. The Story of Low Blood Sugar

Combining these medications with additional diabetic therapies may increase the risk of low blood sugar, even if the medications alone may not cause it very often. Being conscious of this and adopting preventative measures is necessary to maintain those sugar levels.

Monitoring blood sugar levels frequently, paying attention to what you eat and how you exercise, and being honest with your doctors about any concerning symptoms are all necessary for managing low blood sugar as a side effect of GLP1 medications.

IV. A Tale of the Pancreas

Although it's uncommon, some people are concerned that GLP1 medications may cause inflammation of the pancreas, called pancreatitis. People who have previously experienced pancreatitis should monitor this and discuss the dangers with their doctors.

Any discussion concerning the relationship between GLP1 medicines and the risk of pancreatitis should include a discussion of personal risks and factors that may increase an individual's risk.

V. Additional Considerations

To be safe, you must quickly identify and address any allergic reactions to these medications. Notify your clinician right away if you experience breathing difficulties, rashes, or itching.

GLP1 medications can cause modest weight loss initially, followed by stabilization in weight loss. It is a good idea to discuss this with your healthcare team if you think your weight is reaching a plateau.

Increases in C-cell tumors of the thyroid gland are also a very small risk. Thus, monitoring thyroid function should be taken into consideration when taking these medications, and avoid the medications if you have a history of thyroid cancer.

VI. Conclusion

That sums up the potential adverse effects of GLP1 medications. It all comes down to awareness and being vigilant. Never forget to discuss any strange sensations or observations you have with your healthcare team. Monitoring these side effects ensures that the medications are working effectively and safely.

If you are interested in learning more about metabolic health and weight loss, please consult us at Dignity Weight Center!  We would be honored to meet you, and we take most insurances!