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What are the different types of weight loss medicines according to their mechanism of work? The weight loss medication market for 2024 was 2.87 billion USD. There is a significant growth compared to 2023 driven by the higher obesity rates, education, and early detection, and higher healthcare expenditure. The trend continues, and in the next 10 years, the numbers are stunning.

There are four types of weight loss drugs, depending on the mechanism they work:

  1. Medicines that reduce appetite – they affect the central nervous system, particularly the hypothalamus, which controls hunger. By altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, these drugs can reduce the desire to eat, making it easier to stick to a lower-calorie diet. Phentermine (Adipex-P) and liraglutide (Saxenda), for example.
  2. Medicines that increase the feelings of fullness – slow down the digestive process, keeping food in the stomach longer. This makes people feel full for more hours, reducing the need to eat more frequently. In these groups are the GLP-1 Receptor Agonists like semaglutide containing Wegovy.
  3. Medicines block fat absorption – they work directly in the digestive system. Fat absorption inhibitors block enzymes that break down fat, so a portion of the fat eaten is not absorbed by your body. This unabsorbed fat is then passed out of the body in your stool. Orlistat is such an example.
  4. Medicines that boost calorie burning – their mechanism of work increases the body’s energy expenditure. This means the body uses more calories throughout the day, even when not physically active. This can help create a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss.

Unfortunately, like every medicine different weight loss drugs can cause different side effects. There are common side effects that occur with many types of these medications such as nausea – a feeling of wanting to throw up. This is because some weight loss drugs work by affecting how the stomach and brain respond to food. Feeling full quickly or having less desire to eat can cause nausea.

Other Common Side Effects of Weight Loss Medicines

Another common side effect is diarrhea or loose stools. This happens because weight loss drugs can change how the body absorbs nutrients and processes food. While diarrhea can be uncomfortable, it is necessary to be careful not to get serious.

Some people might also experience dry mouth. This is when your mouth feels sticky or dry, even after drinking water. Dry mouth happens because some weight loss drugs can reduce the production of saliva.

Headaches are another possible side effect. These can occur because of changes in the body as it adjusts to the medication. The headaches are often mild and go away on their own. However, if the headache is severe or doesn’t go away, it’s important to talk to a doctor.

Which Side Effects are Short Term and Which are Long Term?

The above-mentioned side effects are common and usually short-term. That means they appear mainly with the beginning of taking the weight loss drug, usually mild, and gradually the discomfort disappears with time after the body gets used to them.

On the contrary, long-term side effects are those that can develop after taking a medication for a longer period. People should be careful because some weight loss medications can affect the heart rate or blood pressure if taken for many months or years. These changes might not be noticeable at first but could lead to more serious health issues over time. That’s why regular check-ups with your doctor are important when taking them for a long time.

Another potential long-term side effect is the risk of developing nutritional deficiencies. Some of these drugs change the way the body absorbs food, which can lead to a lack of important vitamins and minerals over time. Taking a daily multivitamin or adjusting the diet can help prevent these deficiencies.

Other Important Factor to Consider Before Taking Weight Loss Medicines

When considering weight loss pharmaceuticals, it is important to understand how these medications might interact with other drugs. Drug interactions can affect how well the medications work and may lead to unexpected side effects, even critical risks for health and life.

Disclaimer:

As a service to our readers, MVS Pharma GmbH publishing provides access to our library of archived content — in our blogPlease note the date of the last review or update on all articles. No content on this site should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

MVS Pharma GmbH will soon be launching an omega-3 dietary supplement onto the European market that has been developed for the highest quality standards in terms of oxidation avoidance and therefore greatest bioavailability. In addition, in vitro studies are currently underway at the University of Ulm, in which Professor Dr. Rüdiger Groß tested a patented mouth and nose spray (Virudol) that can eliminate various flu viruses based on natural substances. In addition, MVS has a wholesale license and has specialized in sourcing much-needed medicines such as Amoxicillin, Salbutamol, etc. from India through its local branch with a focus on local quality and safety testing, compliance with international GMP regulations and the highest quality level of user security (examples of local language brochures, identical units of measurement, batch control and full tracking, etc.).

Managing Director of MVS Pharma Bulgaria Ltd Miglena Racheva

Miglena is the Managing Director of MVS Pharma Bulgaria Ltd. She is in charge of our Administration Company in Bulgaria – MVS Pharma Bulgaria Ltd. She makes sure that all the documentation complies with EU’s regulations, executes deep dive researches on various projects and topics, and oversees every plan and action of the company.