May/Jun 2024 – Lynchburg Living
A physician weighs in on the pros and cons of popular weight loss medication Wegovy
By Grace Silipigni
No two weight loss journeys are the same. Some people easily shed pounds by making simple lifestyle changes while those genetically predisposed to weight gain struggle to reduce the number on the scale. When improving dietary and exercising habits doesn’t yield results, what are your options?
Wegovy, more commonly known as Ozempic, has garnered significant attention for its effectiveness in helping users lose weight. The pharmaceutical drug promises patients up to a 15% reduction in body mass by slowing digestion and suppressing appetite.
The self-administered semaglutide injection has been dubbed a miracle drug by celebrities and TikTok influencers and has even been adopted as the driving force behind WeightWatcher’s GLP-1 Program.
Is this blockbuster drug the universal answer to weight loss woes, or should users proceed with caution?
Dr. Sheba Mohsin, board certified family medicine physician and diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine, sheds light on the rise of Wegovy in the following interview.
Lynchburg Living: What is the difference between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Dr. Sheba Mohsin: Ozempic and Wegovy are both GLP-1 agonists and are the same medication, however they have acquired indications for different conditions. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes management and Wegovy for weight loss assistance.
What exactly is GLP-1?
GLP-1 is a hormone that is secreted in everyone’s gastrointestinal (GI) system and the purpose is to curb appetite. It also works by slowing down the body’s digestion process. So, because food is in there longer, people feel full for longer periods and eat less.
Since GLP-1 is universal, can anyone interested in losing weight be prescribed Wegovy?
No. Qualifications for weight loss medications are very specific to the patient. We base our recommendations on a patient’s body mass index (BMI) and pre-existing health conditions. For BMI, 18.5-24.9 is healthy, anything between 25-30 is overweight and above 30 is obese. Patients who are in the 25-30 BMI range and have more than one weight-related illness (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, etc.) qualify for prescription weight loss medication. When recommending medication,
pre-existing conditions play a role in what medications are recommended to support the best outcomes with minimal side effects.
Users say “Ozempic Face” is one of the drug’s biggest drawbacks. Have your patients experienced this side effect?
Sudden weight loss can occur, which is where the gaunt “Ozempic Face” comes from. We often see the satiety effect makes patients feel nauseated [too]. I would estimate that 60-70% of my patients report this symptom.
In addition to the immediate symptoms you mentioned, what are the long-term effects of semaglutide injections?
At this time, the long-term side effects are unclear, which makes the consultation and prescription from a medical expert that much more necessary. There are also studies currently examining how these medications impact muscle mass. The current theory is that because you feel full longer, your muscles may not be receiving the nutrition they need to maintain strength.
Speaking of nutrition, how important are diet and exercise when combined with a weight loss medication?
Lifestyle changes are an integral part of every weight loss journey. As a medical provider, I like to look at weight loss as a catalyst for bigger changes in a patient’s daily decisions such as nutrition and exercise with medication as an optional supplement to the plan. Nutrition is one of the most important factors that determine weight loss. Increasing the amount of protein and healthy sugars (like fruit) in combination with other nutrition-dense calories can support gradual weight loss. Additionally, a consistent exercise routine is a valuable asset.
When does medication become the preferred avenue for weight loss?
When asked by a patient about receiving a prescription for any weight loss medication, it is a moment to pause and learn more about my patient’s current lifestyle and discuss potential adjustments that can be made to support weight loss before relying on medications like this to ensure the best health outcomes. If, after working through lifestyle changes, we find more support is needed to achieve a healthy weight, we begin to explore medication options.
Speaking specifically to your expertise in family medicine, what can families do to encourage healthy habits for all members?
Diet and exercise continue to be the biggest factors in a family’s overall well-being. Obesity prevalence in children is on the rise and when a child has a high BMI or is in the 97-99 percentile for their age group for weight, then it is time to talk about current health habits.
