The Best Diabetes Drugs for Weight Loss

Certain diabetes medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide and liraglutide) and SGLT-2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin and dapagliflozin), have been found effective for weight loss. These drugs help regulate blood sugar while also promoting appetite control, increased satiety, and fat loss.

They are often prescribed for overweight or obese individuals with diabetes, and some are approved for weight management in non-diabetic patients. Always consult a healthcare professional before using these medications for weight loss.

Introduction

Medication for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood sugar and may help people lose weight falls into two major categories. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists make up the first category. Inhibitors of the sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) come in second.

Anyone can find it difficult to lose weight, but people with diabetes may find it particularly tough. Although numerous factors influence weight reduction, drugs can contribute to weight growth as well as its prevention.

If you have diabetes and are having trouble losing weight, you might be asking why. The relationship between diabetic drugs and weight reduction, along with several additional potential contributing factors, will be discussed in this article.

Drugs’ role:

There are several ways that diabetes medicines can impact weight. Metformin is one diabetes medication that may aid with weight loss. According to one study, diabetics who used metformin for two years saw an average weight loss of 7%. Additionally, medications like GLP1 receptor analogs like semifluid (Hybels’s) and liraglutide (VICTOZA), which were introduced a few years ago, cause significant weight loss in addition to having positive anti-diabetic effects.

Weight gain can also result from other medications, such as pioglitazone and, to a lesser extent, insulin. This is because insulin facilitates the body’s fat storage.

Benefits and Risks:

Numerous criteria, including the patient’s age, co-morbidities, length of diabetes, and body weight, are taken into consideration while choosing an anti-diabetic medicine. Before beginning any medicine, it is important to examine the advantages and disadvantages of anti-diabetic drugs that cause weight reduction.

Rarely, side effects from weight reduction medications, such as nausea and diarrhea, can cause electrolyte imbalances and dehydration. Additionally, they may not be appropriate for persons with specific medical conditions and may interact with other medications you are taking.

Nevertheless, your doctor could think about including weight-loss medication in your treatment plan if you’re having trouble losing weight and your diabetes is out of control.

How to Proceed:

Although it’s not always simple, losing weight is a crucial component of diabetes management. Consult your physician about if a weight loss medication may be appropriate for you if you’re struggling to lose weight. Additionally, there are natural weight loss methods that might work better over time.

A healthy weight can only be attained and maintained with an appropriate diet and consistent activity. If you want more tips on how to lose weight without taking medication, consult your physician or a qualified nutritionist.

Diabetes’s cause:

A patient’s diabetes may have more than one etiology. The following are some common factors that can raise the risk of acquiring diabetes:

• Family background. You have a higher chance of getting diabetes if you have a family member who has it.
• Being overweight. One of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese.
• Lack of physical activity. A sedentary lifestyle may increase the risk of diabetes.
• Smoking cigarettes. One of the main risk factors for type 2 diabetes is cigarette smoking.
• Viral Infections: Some viral infections have been linked to children developing diabetes.
• Elevated blood pressure. One of the main risk factors for type 1 and type 2 diabetes is having excessive blood pressure.
• Prediabetes. You have an extremely high likelihood of developing diabetes if you already have prediabetes.
• Diabetes throughout pregnancy. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to strike you later in life if you have gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
• Specific ethnic groups. People of Hispanic, Asian, or Native American heritage are among the ethnic groups that are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
• Related Conditions: People with diabetes should exercise extra caution because diabetes is closely linked to certain medical issues. These include elevated cholesterol or dyslipidemia, hypertension, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. Changing your lifestyle, such as eating better and exercising more, can frequently be beneficial. In certain situations, your doctor might also recommend medicine to assist control your risk factors.

Which diabetes medications aid in weight loss?

Weight loss is a side effect of some diabetes medications. These drugs are used differently and have varying physiological effects.

The following nine diabetes medications are also recommended for weight loss:

• Ozempic (which includes semifluid as an active component)
• Robles’s (which includes semifluid as an active component)
• Liraglutide is the active component of Victoza.
• Trulicity (which includes dulaglutide as an active component)
• Tripeptide is the active component of Monaro.
• Canagliflozin (Invokana generic)
• Jardiance’s generic equivalent, empagliflozin
• Dapagliflozin (Farmiga generic)
• The generic version of Fortezza and Glut Meza is metformin.

GLP-1 agonists

For type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 agonists are often administered via injection, sometimes known as a shot. The majority are taken either daily or weekly. The medications listed below are examples of GLP-1 agonists.

A class of drugs known as GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide agonists is becoming more and more well-liked about diabetes and weight loss. After we eat, the hormone GLP-1 in our body instructs the pancreas to release insulin. Additionally, it reduces the quantity of fresh glucose your liver generates. Additionally, it makes us feel satisfied between meals. GLP-1 agonists function in the body similarly to GLP-1.

According to some research, utilizing a GLP-1 agonist helped diabetics lose up to 14 pounds. GLP-1 agonists may result in relatively modest weight loss (about 2 pounds), according to other research. The type of medication taken and the dosage can affect how much weight is lost. Numerous trials examining the effects of GLP-1 agonists on weight loss in diabetics lasted anywhere from six to twelve months.

Once daily, via injection:

• Liraglutide (Saxena, Victoza).
• Dalian (loxonematid).
• Vaccinated twice daily:
• Beta’s exenatide.
• Shot once every seven days:
• Trulicity, or dulaglutide.
• Extended-release exenatide (Burgeon BCEs).
• Ozempic semifluid.

Semifluid is also available as a tablet that is taken orally once a day. Hybels is the brand name of that medication.

An analogous medication known as a dual-acting GLP-1/GIP agonist is a tripeptide (Mountain). It can aid in weight loss and is also used to regulate blood sugar. It is administered as an injection once a week.

Weight loss is possible with all GLP-1 agonists. However, the kind of medication and dosage determine how much weight is lost. Tripeptide and semifluid administered are often the most successful medications for weight loss, according to research. It has also been discovered that dulaglutide and liraglutide are highly effective. For weight loss, other GLP-1 agonists seem to be a little less successful. However, those who take them continue to lose weight more effectively compared with those who do not.

GLP-1 agonists imitate the physiological actions of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1. These medications cause the body to produce more insulin when blood sugar levels begin to rise after eating. Blood sugar is lowered by the additional insulin.

Reduced blood sugar aids in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, the precise mechanism by which GLP-1 agonists cause weight loss is unclear. They seem to reduce appetite. They also impede the passage of food into the small intestine from the stomach. As a result, you might eat less since you feel fuller for longer.

Taking a GLP-1 agonist carries the same risk of side effects as taking any medication. Serious side effects are possible. After taking the medication for a while, more typical side effects usually become better.

Are there adverse consequences from diabetic medications?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the medications in the above list. In general, their advantages exceed the possibility of adverse effects.

These medications frequently cause the following negative effects:

• Having diarrhea
• Constipation
• Pain in the stomach
• Low blood sugar levels
• Low blood sugar levels
• Some GLP-1 medications, such as Robles’s, Victoza, and Ozempic, can raise your chance of contracting specific illnesses. Avoid using these medications if you have a history of:

Gallbladder issues

Chronic kidney disease and pancreatitis

• Liver illness
• History of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in oneself or one’s family
• MEN2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome)
• Diabetes-related retinopathy (eye issues)
• Elevated levels of triglycerides or cholesterol
• Any stomach issues
• Before beginning any diabetes medication, discuss your medical history with your healthcare professional.

Typical adverse effects consist of:

• Feeling queasy.
• Throwing up.
• Diarrhea.
• A headache.

A more significant concern associated with GLP-1 agonists is low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia is the term used in medicine for that condition. However, the risk of hypoglycemia usually only increases if the patient is simultaneously taking another medication that is known to reduce blood sugar. Insulin and sulfonylureas are two examples.

GLP-1 agonists should not be used by those who:

Own a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or have personally experienced the disease.
Possess a family history of the condition or have experienced multiple endocrine neoplasia.
Experienced pancreatitis.

People with intestinal disorders like gastroparesis or those with certain forms of kidney illness may not be suitable candidates for some GLP-1 agonists.

GLP-1 agonists have been connected in studies to specific thyroid cancers in rats. However, the risk to humans remains unknown until further long-term research is conducted.

Tripeptide, often known as Manjiro Manjiro, functions similarly to GLP-1 agonists but with an extra boost. It functions similarly to GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), another hormone. Better blood glucose-lowering effects may result from this dual effect. Additionally, it may result in more weight loss than GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic. Depending on the dosage, Manjiro users lost a typical amount of 16 to 25 pounds in tests.

Tripeptide, the active component of Manjiro, is also authorized for weight loss. However, it is authorized under the Ze-bound brand. Off-label use of Manjiro for weight loss is comparable to that of the GLP-1 agonists discussed above. It is only authorized for Type 2 diabetes to use Manjiro.

Metformin

Another diabetes drug that some people experience weight loss as a side effect is metformin. Due to its ability to effectively drop blood glucose and the availability of less expensive generic versions, it is one of the most recommended diabetes drugs. It primarily reduces the body’s production and absorption of glucose and increases the body’s sensitivity to its insulin.

Compared to the previous drugs, metformin has a relatively modest effect on weight loss. Additionally, not everyone who takes it loses weight. However, after taking metformin for a year, some people may lose up to 6 pounds, according to research.

Inhibitors of SGLT-2

SGLT-2 inhibitors are given once a day as pills. Among these are the following medications:

• Invokana, or canagliflozin.
• Farmiga (dapagliflozin).
• The drug empagliflozin (Jardiance).
• Stelara, or ertugliflozin.
• The drug Bex gliflozin (Bernays).

These medications help the kidneys remove excess blood sugar, which is then eliminated from the body through urine. Blood sugar is lowered as a result. It can aid with weight loss as well. SGLT-2 inhibitors usually have less of an effect on weight loss than GLP-1 agonists.

Weight loss is a side effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, another class of diabetic drugs. Through urine, SGLT2 inhibitors eliminate blood glucose. There is less glucose available to be converted into fat cells when there is less glucose in the circulation. And some people may lose a little weight as a result of this. While taking SGLT2 inhibitors, some people may lose between 4 and 6 pounds.

SGLT-2 inhibitors include, for example:

• Empagliflozin, or Jardiance
• Invokana (canagliflozin) and Farmiga (dapagliflozin)

SGLT-2 inhibitor side effects can include:

• Infections are caused by yeast in the genitalia.
• Infections of the urinary tract.
• Dizziness.
• Lightheadedness.
• Feeling queasy.
• Kidney damage.
• Weaker bones and a greater chance of fractures.
• An increased chance of developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

In rare cases, SGLT-2 may be associated with an increased incidence of lower limb and foot infections. An amputation may be necessary if the infection is severe. Before taking an SGLT-2, those who have had foot wounds or other issues with the heels or lower legs should discuss the potential hazards with their healthcare providers.

People who have experienced diabetic ketoacidosis are not advised to take SGLT-2 inhibitors. Additionally, those who have specific forms of kidney illness might not want to use them.

Smylie

A synthetic version of the hormone amylin is called simian (pramlintide). Amylin stops your liver from producing glucose and slows down the passage of food through your stomach. In the body, Smylie functions similarly to amylin. Most diabetics who use this medicine can lose up to 4 pounds. Smylie can help persons with diabetes who are also obese shed up to 7 pounds.

Which diabetes drugs have the potential to make you gain weight?

Weight gain is a side effect of four major categories of diabetes medicines. They all function by altering the body’s insulin. Additionally, drugs that alter your body’s insulin levels can make you gain weight, as we’ll cover later.

• Insulin

One of the most often used drugs for diabetes is insulin. The majority of insulin types can cause weight gain. During the first year of using insulin for Type 2 diabetes, people typically gain 4 pounds. However, throughout this period, some people may gain 11 pounds or more.

• The glipizide-like sulfonylureas

Another popular class of diabetes drugs that might lead to weight gain is sulfonylureas. They function by inducing the release of insulin from the pancreas. Sulfonylurea users often gain five pounds.

Sulfonylureas include, for example:

• Amyl glimepiride
• The drug Glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
• Glyburide (Glynis, Diabetes)

• Pioglitazone and other thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs or “gloxazones”) are another class of drugs that contribute to weight gain in diabetics. They increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin, which lowers blood glucose. Genes involved in the development of fat cells are also impacted. In the first six months, those on TZDs may gain 6 to 9 pounds and over three to five years, they may gain up to 11 pounds.

• Repaglinide and other meglitinides

Meglitinides, often known as “glinides,” are another class of diabetes drugs. Like sulfonylureas, they increase the amount of insulin released by the pancreas. During the first three months after beginning glinides, people may gain up to seven pounds.

There are two glinides available:

• Repaglinide
• Nate glinide

Advantages that go beyond losing weight

In addition to promoting weight loss and blood sugar regulation, GLP-1 agonists and Inhibitors appear to have additional health advantages.

According to research, several of these medications may reduce the chance of developing major illnesses like heart disease, stroke, renal disease, and heart failure. Blood pressure also improves for many persons who use these medications. However, it’s unclear if these advantages are due to weight loss or the medication.

Consult your diabetes care team if you have type 2 diabetes and would like to know if these medications could help you lose weight. They can assist you in choosing the best course of action for your circumstances.

Why do some people experience weight changes when taking diabetes medications?

Diabetes drugs can alter weight by altering the body’s utilization of glucose. A hormone called insulin aids in the body’s conversion of glucose from food into cell energy. Insulin facilitates the transfer of glucose from the blood into the cells. Your blood glucose is lowered by this movement.

However, insulin instructs your liver to convert glucose into fat cells when blood glucose levels are too high. Over time, weight growth may result from these excess fat cells.

Insulin functions similarly to natural insulin when taken as a medicine. This glucose-to-fat process may continue until your blood glucose levels are more balanced. Because of this, the side effect of weight gain with insulin is most likely to occur when you first start taking it. This adverse effect is also present with drugs that instruct your body to produce more insulin.

Conversely, some diabetic drugs can help you lose weight by reducing the amount of glucose your liver produces or by eliminating excess glucose from your body. There is less glucose available to be converted to fat when there is less glucose in the circulation. Therefore, weight loss is a potential adverse effect if a medicine reduces the amount of glucose produced or removes it from the blood.

Which diabetes drugs are probably not going to affect your weight at all?

For the majority of patients, several diabetic drugs have little or no effect on weight. These drugs are commonly referred to by medical professionals as “weight-neutral” diabetes medicines.

Januvia and other dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors

Gliptins, also known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, are a class of diabetes drugs that are frequently prescribed. The most well-known DPP-4 inhibitor is sitagliptin, which is found in Januvia and Zituvio. By assisting in increasing the body’s natural levels of GLP-1, these drugs reduce blood sugar.

DPP-4 inhibitors have little effect on body weight, according to studies. Therefore, even though drugs like sitagliptin probably won’t make you lose weight, they also shouldn’t make you gain it.

Additional DPP-4 inhibitors consist of:

Linagliptin (Trident), Sitagliptin, and Al gliptin (Messina) Which side effect—weight increase or weight loss—occurs more frequently with diabetic medications?

When comparing all diabetic drugs, neither weight gain nor weight loss is a more common adverse effect. Additionally, not everyone suffers changes in body weight as a result of taking diabetic drugs. There are numerous varieties of drugs accessible. They assist reduce blood glucose in different ways. Medication and lifestyle factors, such as nutrition and exercise, determine the likelihood of weight growth or decrease.

Gaining weight can deter people from taking their drugs as prescribed. Additionally, the chance of developing complications from diabetes increases when people stop taking their diabetic medications. If you see any changes in your weight that make you uncomfortable, be sure to notify your healthcare staff. To help with this adverse effect, they might suggest modifying your prescription regimen.

How long does it take for weight reduction from diabetic meds to occur?

Within the first few months of beginning a diabetes treatment, changes in body weight may become apparent. However, using Monaro or GLP-1 agonists may not result in noticeable weight loss for almost a year.

For instance, Ozempic users who took the 0.5 mg weekly dosage dropped an average of 8 pounds after 30 weeks or roughly 7 months. After 40 weeks or roughly nine months, persons who took greater amounts (1 mg to 2 mg weekly) dropped 13 to 15 pounds. Those who took Manjiro for 72 weeks (more than 16 months) saw a 15% to 20% reduction in their initial body weight.

Is it possible to avoid weight gain when using diabetes medication?

It may be possible to avoid weight gain from diabetic treatments. Regular exercise and a diabetic-friendly diet are crucial for diabetes management. By adopting these healthy lifestyle choices, blood glucose levels can be lowered and weight can be maintained. However, these aren’t always sufficient for everyone.

Talking about what adjustments might be best for you with your healthcare team is the best course of action. They might advise altering your present diabetic treatment schedule. It may also be possible to add or switch to a diabetes medication that promotes weight loss. However, you should not attempt to change your prescriptions or dosages without your doctor’s approval.

With diabetes medications, how much weight can I lose?

Individuals taking Manjiro (tripeptide) saw the greatest and fastest weight loss, with a 15% reduction in body weight after a year. After a year, people taking Ozempic (similitude) lost 8%. Weight loss from other diabetes medications such as Robles’s, metformin, and Trulicity (dulaglutide) ranges from 5% to 1%.

For what length of time may you use these medications to lose weight?

The length of time you can use these medications to lose weight is not based on weight loss or time. Your doctor might advise you to continue taking the medications for the treatment of obesity if they are effective and you are not having any negative side effects. ## Weight loss alternatives to diabetes medications

Although Segovia and Saxena are expressly licensed as weight loss medications, they share the same active components as medications for diabetes.

• Segovia is an injectable drug that is administered once a week. Compared to Ozempic, its semifluid dosage is higher. It has been demonstrated that higher semaglutide dosages result in more weight loss. The maximum dosage for Wegovy is 2.4 mg, while the strongest Ozempic is 2 mg.

• Saxena: Every day, Saxena is injected. Saxena is Victoza at a greater dosage. Victoza has a maintenance dose of 1.8 mg, while Saxena has a maintenance dose of 3 mg.

• Zepbound: Specifically approved as an obesity treatment, Zepbound has the same active component as Mounjaro. Inquire with your doctor about the availability of this drug.

• It has been demonstrated that these brand-name drugs result in more weight loss, but they may also raise your chance of adverse effects. In particular, gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects are associated with larger semaglutide dosages.

• Compounded semaglutide: The FDA has declared Ozempic and Wegovy to be in low supply due to a nationwide semaglutide shortage. Compounding pharmacies are permitted to produce compounded versions of a medicine when that drug is scarce. You can be prescribed a compounded form of semaglutide due to the scarcity. Compounded medications are not authorized by the FDA. The FDA and state governments, however, regulate the factories that produce these medications. Before beginning therapy with these medications, talk to your provider about the benefits and drawbacks of compounded medication.

How Sesame can assist

To assist you in beginning your weight reduction journey, Sesame provides a comprehensive and reasonably priced online weight loss program. A video consultation with your preferred weight loss physician or specialist, compounded semaglutide prescription (if necessary), unrestricted texting with your provider, continuing support, and more are all included in the month-to-month Success by Sesame subscription.

The bottom line

Certain diabetes drugs may result in weight gain or loss. Significant weight loss is possible with Ozempic (semifluid), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Manjiro (tripeptide). Although not as much, metformin and drugs like Jardiance (empagliflozin) can also aid in weight loss. Conversely, insulin, glinides, and sulfonylureas usually result in weight gain. Some drugs, like Januvia (sitagliptin), typically don’t make you lose weight or gain it.

Maintaining a healthy weight requires both exercise and a diabetes-friendly diet. To choose the optimal diabetes treatment plan for you, consult with your healthcare team.

FAQs

Reference

• Do any diabetes medicines help you lose weight? (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/byetta/faq-20057955#:~:text=All%20GLP%2D1%20agonists%20can,Headache.
• Willson, A. (2024, December 5). Cost of weight loss drugs with and without insurance. Ro. https://ro.co/weight-loss/injections-cost/
• PharmD, K. B., PharmD, K. B., & SingleCare. (2024, November 12). What is the best diabetes drug for weight loss? The Checkup. https://www.singlecare.com/blog/best-diabetes-drug-for-weight-loss/