Inject me skinny
If you’ve been struggling with stubborn excess weight for years, the new crop of injectable weight-loss drugs might seem like a gift from heaven. Is there a catch? Metropol writer Sophie Lapsley investigates.
For anyone who has struggled with weight loss or become trapped in a cycle of yo-yo dieting, injectable weight‑loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy may seem like the answer.
These so‑called ‘wonder drugs’ are being used by millions worldwide to combat obesity. However, in the search for a final fat‑busting solution, are we overlooking a more complicated reality?
New Zealand Registered Dietitian Kylie Russell says the drugs can help patients lose up to 15 per cent of their body weight on average, but warns that rapid results often hide deeper risks.
Approved by Medsafe New Zealand in June last year as a prescription‑only, user‑pays medication, injectable GLP‑1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy can be prescribed by GPs to patients struggling with obesity or unwanted weight gain.
These medications mimic the natural GLP‑1 hormone that helps the body produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high. They also reduce the amount of glucose the liver produces and slow digestion, leading to a feeling of fullness and reduced appetite. Beyond appetite control, these medications have been shown to improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Demand is steadily rising. Kylie receives daily enquiries from people wanting to know if they are eligible to begin weekly self‑injections of the active ingredient semaglutide.
“There are clear eligibility criteria,” she explains. “To qualify, patients need a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30, or 27 if coupled with a co‑morbidity such as type 2 diabetes and there’s also the financial commitment of around $500 per month.”
Because obesity is a chronic health condition for many people, Kylie expects some people take the medication longer-term, while others may only require it for a
shorter period depending on how much weight they need to lose.
Kylie adds that patient motivation can sometimes override the risks and side effects, “in some cases, people are so desperate and motivated to improve their weight and wellbeing that the risks aren’t top of their agenda.”
One major risk that might have people thinking twice, is that within 6-12 months of stopping the injectables, many people regained all the weight that had been lost.
Another study found that up to 20 per cent of patients developed nutritional deficiencies – including protein, iron, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, and vitamin D – within a year of starting GLP‑1 medication. The experts strongly recommended involving dietitians and nutrition specialists as part of a patient’s ongoing care plan.
“Wegovy is a powerful new tool in our weight‑management toolkit, but it’s not a standalone solution,” Kylie explains. “For anyone considering injectable weight‑loss drugs, the best outcomes come when medication is used alongside the right dietary support and ongoing clinical care.”
Combining medical treatment with guidance from nutrition experts helps people better understand the biology of obesity, manage side effects and give themselves the best shot at lasting results.
