Once upon a time Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig were the top names in weight loss. But today, weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic are taking over. They are putting many weight loss companies out of business.
What are the New Weight Loss Drugs?
Drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic use the active drug semaglutide which works by triggering the body’s glucagon-like peptide-1 hormones to tell your body to stop eating. It reduces your appetite, so you consume fewer calories.
Another drug called Mounjaro is similar to Wegovy and Ozempic but has an active ingredient called tirezapatide. Like the other drugs, Tirezepatide works on the GLP-1 receptors, but it also affects the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. The double impact makes it even more effective.
How the New Drugs are Affecting the Weight Loss Kings
The new drugs are so effective they are putting many weight loss companies out of business. Jenny Craig, which has been around since the 80s, announced it would be closing its doors last week. Weight Watchers stocks plunged by about 29% after the FDA approved Wegovy for obesity.
Weight Watchers is taking life-saving measures by incorporating weight loss drugs into its diet programs. The day they decided to embrace Wegovy, their stocks climbed up 70%.
“Unless they change to somehow incorporate medications, yes, I think in the next few years we will see a lot of change in the diet industry including many businesses closing,” said Dr. Shauna Levy, an obesity medicine specialist at Tulane University at New Orleans commenting on diet companies’ plights.
Are Weight Loss Drugs Safe?
Although weight loss drugs are an ‘easy way out’ for people dealing with obesity, they come with their share of drawbacks. Wegovy injections cost a little more than $1300 per package which breaks down to $270 a week or $16,190 a year.
It also remains unclear whether you must stay on these drugs for life. Research suggests that people may regain their weight after they stop using the drugs if the source of the weight gain is not addressed. They also say the drug causes muscle loss making weight gain more of an issue.
You may also risk getting attacked by people who are judgmental of those that lose weight without putting in the work. But that could be the least of your worries.
Wegovy and Ozempic should not be used with any other weight loss products, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or drugs that contain semaglutide. They may not be safe for people with a history of pancreas conditions.
The drugs can be prescribed to people with a BMI of 30 or higher who are considered obese. They may also be prescribed to adults with a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. They can be prescribed to children 12 and over with a BMI in the 95th percentile or higher.
So what’s your take on it? Will you be trying weight loss drugs? Or are the old-fashioned diet companies more your speed?