Trendy Weight Loss Medications: Do They Really Work?

How today’s weight loss medications fit into long-term health

In the past year, weight loss medications have gained widespread attention, appearing in television commercials and social media feeds. With so much visibility, it’s natural to wonder whether these medications actually work, and who they are really meant for.

Dr. Rachel Shell, Riverside Healthcare Obesity Specialist and Weigh to Healthy Living Medical Director, along with Nicole Potts, Registered Dietitian (RD), help clarify what these medications do, who may benefit, and why medical guidance matters.

Where Did They Come From?

Many of today’s most talked-about weight loss medications fall into a category known as GLPs (glucagon-like peptides). Glucagon-like peptide is a hormone that binds to receptors throughout the body, playing a role in appetite regulation, insulin production by the pancreas, and sugar production by the liver.

GLP medications help support:

• Helping reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness
• Supporting insulin production by the pancreas
• Decreasing sugar production by the liver

Because of these effects, GLPs were originally studied and approved to help manage type 2 diabetes. Early versions were released under brand names such as Victoza, Ozempic, Trulicity, and Mounjaro. As research continued, studies showed these medications also promoted weight loss. Today, several GLPs are specifically approved for obesity management and are marketed under names like Saxenda, Wegovy, and ZepBound.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Before starting any medication, it’s important to understand the potential benefits and risks. A conversation with a medical provider can help you know if a medication aligns with your health needs and goals.

Potential benefits of GLP medications:

• Meaningful weight loss
• Improved blood sugar control
• Reduced risk factors for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease

Potential side effects and risks:

• Nausea, diarrhea, and constipation
• Rare but more serious complications such as pancreatitis and medullary thyroid cancer

Dr. Shell emphasizes careful decision-making. “All medications have potential risks. As a provider, we look at those risks and weigh them against the benefits to determine if a patient is an appropriate candidate for taking the medication,” she states. “I always would advise a patient who is interested in taking a medication that's new to them to have that discussion with their provider regarding the pros and cons prior to initiation.”

The Weigh to Healthy Living Program: Support Beyond Medication

For the best results, weight loss medications should be combined with sustainable lifestyle changes. Nutrition, physical activity, and behavioral support all play an important role in long-term success.

At Riverside, the Weigh to Healthy Living Program focuses on helping individuals build healthier habits that support both weight loss and overall wellness, including reducing risk factors for chronic disease.

“This six-month program is a multidisciplinary, medically-supervised approach to weight loss. Patients meet with an endocrinologist, a registered dietitian, an exercise specialist at the Riverside Fitness Center, and a behavior therapist who all work together to develop a plan that is best for the patient,” explains Potts. “There are also virtual sessions to be completed monthly, which provide educational information on different nutritional topics.”

Dr. Shell adds, “All of this combined gives patients a partnership, and a tool, to help make changes and sustain that lifestyle intervention we know is key to success in weight loss.”

Some insurance companies do cover weight loss medications and programs like Weigh to Healthy Living. Dr. Shell recommends checking directly with your insurance provider for coverage details. For more information about Diabetes and Endocrinology services at Riverside, visit myrhc.net/endocrinology.