Weight loss has been a lifelong struggle for many. In the Philippines alone, 40.2 percent of adults are clinically overweight. Over the years, many have turned to fad diets, strict calorie counting, and intense fitness regimens in an attempt to shed excess weight. But in recent years, a new solution has taken over the conversation—weight-loss medications like Ozempic.
Magic Shot or Just Science?
Developed by Danish company Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is a weekly injectable medication originally designed to treat Type 2 Diabetes. It contains Semaglutide, a drug that mimics GLP-1—a hormone that helps control blood levels. Studies have shown that Ozempic slows down stomach emptying and regulates appetite, helping people eat less.
Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a dual-board certified Obesity and Internal Medicine physician and author of The Ozempic Revolution, shares that it’s not the stomach that’s affected most by this medication. In a podcast with Rena Malik, MD, Sowa reveals, “It’s actually the brain. It directly influences the way that the brain is feeling. The way that it’s experiencing hunger and fullness and thinking about food.” The result? It eliminates “food noise” or constant, persistent, and intrusive thoughts about what to eat.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Use It
Losing the desire to eat is a favorable consequence, but it’s important to remember that Ozempic—perceived by some as a “miracle drug“— was not originally designed as a weight-loss drug. Dr. Julie Anne Gabat-Tan, a specialist who treats people with hormonal dysfunctions, emphasizes that doctors must ensure a patient fits the study criteria before giving a prescription. Otherwise, the drug may be ineffective or cause unmanageable side effects.
She explains, “Studies on Semaglutide were done among patients with Type 2 Diabetes, therefore, only patients with diabetes and obesity should use this drug.” She adds that Wegovy, another form of Semaglutide, is the version specifically approved for weight loss, but it is currently unavailable in the Philippines.
A-List Approved: Celebrities and Off-Label Use
Celebrities such as Kathy Bates, Oprah Winfrey, and Kelly Clarkson have openly spoken up about using Ozempic, Wegovy, and similar medications to maintain their weight. One trial significantly reports obese adults losing up to 14.9 percent of their body weight on average while taking Semaglutide. Its effectiveness has compelled individuals, even those without obesity and those with obesity but without diabetes, to get a prescription.
Off-label drug use sparks many concerns. Gabat-Tan says, “Aside from being unethical, another issue is the possible legal consequences in the unfortunate event that a patient experiences side effects—worse, if these side effects are irreversible. A patient might not be able to file a legal complaint against the manufacturer since it’s an off-label use.”
The Fine Print: Side Effects & Risks
Unwanted side effects from Semaglutide include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation that may persist for a few days or weeks. A recent study showed that GLP-1 drugs may also present an increased risk of pancreatitis, arthritis, as well as gallbladder and kidney problems. Muscle loss is another major cause for concern, but Sowa offers solutions such as increasing protein intake and strength training.
For people with obesity and related complications taking weight-loss medication, Gabat-Tan also emphasizes the need for lifestyle modification. “Consisting of caloric restriction, regular physical activity, and behavioral modifications, lifestyle modification is a crucial part of weight-loss management. Based on studies, the efficacy in terms of weight reduction is achieved on top of diet and exercise.”
For those who don’t respond well to Ozempic, another option is Tirzepatide, which is sold as Zepbound and Mounjaro. The first dual agonist drug mimics two natural gut hormones: GLP-1 (reduces appetite) and GIP (revs up energy metabolism). Working in tandem, the “twincretin” provides greater appetite suppression and glycemic control than a single agonist.
Multiple obesity trials have shown the efficacy of the newer drug. Depending on the dosage participants received, they experienced a substantial and sustained body weight reduction of up to 20 percent. Since Tirzepatide activates the same GLP-1 pathway, it has similar side effects as Semaglutide. However, further research is needed to fully understand its safety profile and lasting effects.
In addition, taking Semaglutide comes at a cost. Aside from the hefty price tag for every shot (Ozempic costs P7,650 for a 1 mg solution), patients who stop taking the medication have reportedly gained back their weight. In a study, people who discontinued Ozempic regained an average of 11.6 percent of their body weight despite adopting diet changes or increasing physical activity. The so-called “Ozempic rebound” also happens with post-Tirzepatide users, some of whom have experienced a 14 percent weight gain after a year off the drug.
The Next Generation of Weight-Loss Drugs
Because of the surge of individuals turning to GLP-1 drugs to remedy their weight problems, there has been an ongoing global shortage of Ozempic. This has caused accessibility issues for diabetics who truly need the medication and even created a market for counterfeit drugs. Pharmaceutical companies are striving to meet the public’s demand by manufacturing more weight-loss drugs.
According to reports, at least four medications are hitting the market in the next two years. More drugs would mean more options for a broader market. It could also affect their prices, making them more accessible to everyone.
Retatrutide
A new drug, Retatrutide, is in late-stage trials and has been nicknamed “triple G” because it targets three hormones—GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, which increases fat burning. Early studies suggest that it may lead to even greater weight loss than previous drugs.
Plastic surgeon Johnny Franco, MD speaks about its huge potential, saying, “This medication will be equal to or surpass bariatric surgery [or weight-loss surgery] in the amount of weight loss that patients can have. This is especially exciting for those patients who haven’t really lost weight on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide or have a lot of weight to lose. It will also help counter the resistance that some patients can develop to these medications over time.” A trial has shown that at the highest dose tested, Retatrutide achieved a 24.2 percent mean body weight reduction by 48 weeks.
Mazdutide
Even China drugmaker Innovent Biologics is working in partnership with Eli Lilly (maker of Zepbound) to develop Mazdutide. Activating both the GLP-1 and glucagon receptors, the drug aims to induce weight loss through caloric intake reduction and enhanced energy expenditure simultaneously. Now in advanced development, the drug will be initially marketed in China and possibly licensed in Asian territories.
Orforglipron
Patients averse to getting injections will soon have the option of taking daily pills that are easier to manufacture and administer. Poised to become the first oral GLP-1 agonist for obesity, Eli Lilly’s Orforglipron is expected to be available to consumers in early 2026 with trials showing weight reduction of up to 14.7 percent at 36 weeks.
Danuglipron and Monlunabant
Similar oral medications by Pfizer (Danuglipron) and Novo Nordisk (Monlunabant) are also in the pipeline, with the former working as a GLP-1 receptor and the latter inhibiting the CB1 cannabinoid receptor. However, mild to moderate neuropsychiatric side effects such as anxiety, irritability, and sleep disturbances were reported for some Monlunabant users.
These newer drugs all aim for improvements in amplifying weight reduction, enhancing tolerability, and lessening the frequency of administration—with patients getting monthly instead of weekly jabs. Gabat-Tan looks out for their capacity “to prevent diseases in the long-term such as diabetes, heart and kidney problems, and their potential in reversing fatty liver.” She adds, “But I’m wary of their long-term effects on fertility, immune system, and epigenetic effects, which can potentially trickle down to offsprings.”
Beyond the Jab: The Future of Weight Loss
Pharmacotherapy—the use of medication to treat health conditions—is reshaping weight management. Gabat-Tan believes weight-loss drugs may be the most sustainable option in today’s rapidly evolving society. “Medications are perceived to be the easy way out—minimal effort, maximum effect. Surgery is the most expensive and invasive. Some patients also think that it’s way too risky just to lose weight, and they are absolutely correct. Diet and exercise, though the safest, are tedious to do. Weight loss with diet and exercise plateaus, so it requires greater intensity of exercise to achieve further weight loss or even maintain weight loss.”
“Obesity management is multi-faceted. One aspect is the psychological effect of obesity and the benefit of weight loss on the well-being and quality of life of a patient.”—Dr. Julie Ann Gabat-Tan, specialist in hormonal dysfunctions
Still, medication alone is not a magic solution. Gabat-Tan reminds potential users, “Just like any other medications for other diseases, one should have a strong resolve (and finances) to start, continue, and maintain all aspects of the treatment—including diet and exercise.”
Weight loss affects more than just physical health; it also impacts well-being. “Obesity management is multi-faceted. One aspect is the psychological effect of obesity and the benefit of weight loss on the well-being and quality of life of a patient,” says Gabat-Tan. “I have nothing against people who want to lose weight for the sake of beauty as long as that patient is seen and thoroughly evaluated by a licensed physician board-certified to treat patients with obesity.”
The future of weight loss is changing, but one thing remains constant: true health isn’t just about looking lighter—it’s about living better.
