Scientists compare three major weight loss jabs in groundbreaking new study
The continued popularity of the so-called 'skinny jabs' has led to it feeling like more competition is popping up every week, and to be fair, that's not far from the truth. The Goliaths of the pharmaceutical industry are batting off some competitive rivals, but with so much choice out there, consumers are right to ask which is the right one for them.
We've already been warned about the spike in knock-off versions of weight loss jabs and supposed natural dupes, so for many, it's a case of buyer beware. Still, with the price of weight loss jabs continuing to fluctuate, some will take what they can.
Alongside the supposed pros of relieving strain on your joints and heart from carrying excess weight, supporters of the jabs have linked them to the potential to reverse liver disease. Of course, there are those on the other side of the fence, calling out semaglutide and similar injections for everything from possible pancreatitis to a spiralling mental health crisis.
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The World Health Organization made a shocking U-turn on its thoughts about skinny jabs, although an increasing number of experts are demanding further research due to a series of deaths that are seemingly connected to these medications.
Then again, with major names including Elon Musk and Oprah Winfrey being advocates of GLP-1 inhibitors, it's a market that's booming. For those still unsure which they might want to take, a new study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews compares the active ingredients of semaglutide (found in Mounjaro and Ozempic), tirzepatide (found in Wegovy), and liraglutide (found in Saxenda).
The study analyzes all three and reveals which saw the most patients manage to keep the weight off. Apparently, Mounjaro saw participants avoid regaining weight for the longest, as those injected with semaglutide lost an average 16% of their body weight in 12 to 18 months, while also keeping it off for three-and-a-half years. Wegovy patients are said to have lost 11% of their body weight in 16 months, keeping it off for two years.
Saxenda supposedly came in third, marking a 5% loss of body weight. Even though there are naysayers, all three performed better than the placebo group.
In terms of side effects, the three medications performed roughly the same when it came to someone's quality of life and long-term health implications.
Discussing the findings, Juan Franco, co-lead researcher from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, said: "These drugs have the potential to bring about substantial weight loss, particularly in the first year.
"It’s an exciting moment after decades of unsuccessful attempts to find effective treatments for people living with obesity."
The Cochrane review was funded by the WHO, although the research notes that the fact that there was involvement from drug manufacturers could present a potential conflict of interest.
LADbible Group has reached out to Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for comment.