In the last several years, more women are turning to prescription medications to lose weight. Obesity is becoming an increasingly significant problem in Canada. Roughly one in four Canadian adults is obese, and many more are overweight. What's worse is that projections show obesity prevalence will grow in the coming decades. Medications facilitating safe and effective weight loss combat this growing issue in Canada.
There are many weight loss prescriptions available today. Some of the most common are Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. All four have approval from Health Canada, and licensed providers can prescribe them for weight loss. But which medication should you consider for your weight loss journey? In this guide, we'll explore the differences between these weight loss medications, review potential side effects, and discuss important information to make the right decision for you and your health.
Understanding GLP-1 Medications
Let's start by unpacking what Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are. All four are once-weekly injectable medications, only available with a prescription. They all fall under the same class of drugs: GLP-1 agonists.
GLP-1 agonists mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone in your body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Your body creates this hormone mainly in your small intestines and colon. When you eat a meal and your blood sugar levels increase, the body releases GLP-1 to stimulate the release of insulin that can regulate it. Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound do the same thing. They trigger the release of insulin from the pancreas to keep your blood sugar levels under control. For that reason, these medications are a clinician-backed treatment option for those managing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.
This mechanism of GLP-1 medications is a game changer, but they can do much more to support women’s health.
GLP-1 medications can help suppress your appetite by acting on the areas of the brain that tell you you’re full or craving high-calorie foods. When taken regularly under medical supervision, prescription injectables like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound can reduce so-called "food noise," making it easier to eat less, create a calorie deficit and slim down.
Now you know how these medications are similar, but how do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound differ? It all comes down to their active ingredients and how they work.
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, while Mounjaro and Zepbound both contain the active ingredient tirzepatide. The primary difference between tirzepatide and semaglutide is the hormones each active ingredient mimics.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone your body naturally produces. Tirzepatide acts the same way as semaglutide, but it does double duty as a GIP receptor agonist. A glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) is another natural hormone your body produces after eating. Like GLP-1 hormones, GIP hormones can trigger insulin production and promote feelings of fullness.
Comparing the Benefits: Which GLP-1 Works Best?
All four GLP-1 medications can help you lose weight. However, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are approved for different purposes.
Ozempic and Wegovy both contain semaglutide, an active ingredient which mimics a hunger hormone naturally produced in the body to help regulate blood sugar levels. Despite this similarity, the medications are approved in Canada to treat two different health concerns. Ozempic has official Health Canada approval to treat diabetes. Meanwhile, Wegovy is approved to help obese adults manage weight.
Health care providers prescribe Wegovy at higher doses than Ozempic, but the dosage patients receive is slowly increased to a maintenance dose for both. This ensures their body adjusts to the medication to help avoid potential side effects, and the positive effects of the medication are maintained.
So, what about Mounjaro? Like Ozempic, Mounjaro has Health Canada approval to treat type 2 diabetes, but licensed healthcare providers can prescribe it for off-label weight loss treatment. According to the latest research, compared to Ozempic and Wegovy, the weight loss numbers for patients on Mounjaro are higher. This may be due to Mounjaro containing tirzepatide, an active ingredient which mimics two hormones that affect glucose levels and hunger instead of one.
Possible Side Effects of GLP-1 Medications
Like any other prescription medication, there are potential side effects for GLP-1s like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.
The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and stomach cramps. In rare cases, women may experience headaches, fatigue or dizziness. Elevated heart rate, inflammation of the pancreas and allergic reactions are also possible, albeit rare.
Luckily, these adverse effects are often temporary and easier to avoid through titration. This process involves receiving a lower dose at the start of one’s weight loss journey to help the body adjust to the medication. Over time, a licensed healthcare provider increases the weekly dose until the patient reaches the maintenance stage.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound?
Licensed health care providers can prescribe Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound for weight loss. Some GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, are only approved in Canada for treating type-2 diabetes, but licensed healthcare providers can still prescribe the medications for off-label use.
It's up to the provider to determine if you're a viable candidate for GLP-1 medications. Overall, women managing diabetes or prediabetes or struggling with being overweight or obese are typically the best candidates for treatment. If you're pregnant or intend to get pregnant, you should not take Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound.
Providers generally prescribe Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Zepbound to those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Though you may still be a good candidate if your BMI is lower. When prescribing, providers consider weight-related conditions like prediabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and more. Discussing your health history with a provider can help determine if medication is right for you.
What Women Should Know About Weight Loss
Losing weight can feel more difficult for women. Biological factors and hormonal fluctuations can make losing weight a challenge, no matter how much you work at it.
When biological barriers get in the way, GLP-1 medications can make a big difference. With positive life changes like a healthier diet and consistent exercise, treatment can help you sustain results over the long term. The right medication can support these healthy changes, helping you silence food noise, overcome overeating, and create the calorie deficit needed for weight loss.
Lifestyle Tips to Maximize Results
With steady weight loss from using GLP-1s over time, being more active gets much easier. You don't have to turn into a gym junkie, but spending more time moving can help you reach your goals sooner and keep the weight off. Try cardiovascular exercises like walking, running, or cycling to burn calories. Slowly implement weight training and make physical movement a regular part of your daily routine to tone up.
GLP-1 medications can also promote a mindset shift, helping women improve their relationship with food and get accustomed to making healthy choices. The action of GLP-1s on the hunger centres of the brain can make fatty foods, processed snacks, and high-calorie options feel less appealing. It’s best to opt for lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and plant-based nutrients that help build a better body composition.
Another important tip on your weight loss journey is to heed the guidance of your healthcare provider. After starting weight loss medication, many women can't wait to start seeing those numbers on the scale drop, but jumping in too quickly by skipping the titration process and going for the highest dose can lead to serious complications. We advise you to be patient and follow the schedule set by your provider.
To ease things along, consider tracking your weight loss progress. Weigh yourself before every injection to see how the medication and your new lifestyle is helping you reach your goals. Sometimes, seeing the number go down is the best motivator to keep going.
Reach Your Weight Goals with GLP-1 Support
Losing weight and achieving a healthier you is now within reach. GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are helping countless women like you overcome the barriers that made weight loss a struggle and progress on their weight loss journeys. These GLP-1 medications are changing how women lose weight, allowing them to shed pounds, eat healthily, and stay active more easily.
When you're ready to take control of your health and reach your weight loss goals, consider speaking to a licensed healthcare professional about your eligibility for GLP-1 medications.
