Weight Loss Injections: Proceed with caution

Let’s admit it, weight loss is challenging! As we all know, obesity is a chronic and global health challenge. Lifestyle changes (healthy diet and exercise) represent the foundation of weight management. However, losing weight organically is challenging.

One of the latest trends in the market is self-injectable medication to stimulate weight loss. While they may sound appealing – do weight loss injections really work, and should you be using them?

The Pros, Cons, and Unknowns of weight loss drugs

Hundreds of Thousands of people worldwide are taking weight loss injections to manage obesity. As they have grown in popularity, it is important to consider potential side effects.

Here is what to consider if you or your loved one are thinking about taking the drug.

What are weight loss injections?

These types of drugs are becoming more and more popular around the world of weight loss. Originally designed to lower blood sugar levels, they slow down your digestion, regulate your hunger and ensure that you consume less calories. They mimic the effects of a hormone which is naturally released in the gut after eating.

Current approved weight loss injections include:

• Semaglutide (Wegovy or Ozempic)

• Tirzepatide (Zepbound or Mounjaro)

• Liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza)

Good for diabetes, weight loss and more

Weight loss injections may assist in achieving 15-20% weight loss in a year to a year and a half, and may lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Watch the webinar for more pros.

The Cons and side effects

Weight loss injections are expensive and difficult to access due to shortage. There are many side effects and cons, for example, as soon as you stop using injections, you may experience rapid weight rebound. There are many more side effects, watch the webinar to know more.

Weight loss injections myth or fact

Take a look at our webinar as we go through the latest news and find out what is fact and what is not. Presented live on the June 4, 2025 by our amazing Dietitian, Hilda Albeayni.

Some Examples of What We Explore In The Webinar:

‘Weight loss drugs could cut the risk of dementia’

Do they really help with dementia? Is there any evidence to support this?

‘The paradox of weight loss: why losing pounds may always lead to better health’

Rapid weight loss, while it can be successful in the short term, is challenging to sustain and can lead to secondary effects such as irritability, fatigue, and anger. How does this impact bone loss, stress, anxiety and negative impacts on mental health and wellbeing?  Watch the webinar to learn what can lead to better health outcomes, such as healthy eating, regular exercise and stress management.

‘Concerns over ozempic misuse and eating disorder risk prompt calls for increased screening’

It is thought that Ozempic injections can negatively impact eating disorders symptoms and treatment, such as weight regain, intense focus on weight loss, dietary restrictions, potential misuse etc. The webinar goes into much more detail.

‘The race to stop ozempic muscle loss’

A recent study showed that those taking Ozempic, or any form of Semaglutide, lost on average 60% fat and 39% muscle mass. In another study that looked at those taking Tirzepatide, showed that patients lost roughly 25% muscle and 75% fat during treatment.

Losing muscle lowers your metabolic rate, which is the rate at which your body burns energy while at rest. This is one reason why people experience plateaus during weight loss.

Muscle is vital for mobility and strength:

• Rapid weight loss can increase the risk of falls or injury, especially in older adults.

• The loss of muscle mass can also negatively impact bone health, especially in older adults who are already at an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Watch the webinar for great Dietitian suggestions on how to maintain muscle mass while taking weight loss injections.

Weight loss injections not for you? Try a healthy approach to weight loss

After hearing all the pros and cons of weight loss injections, be assured, this isn’t your only option. There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach when trying to lose weight.

FAD diets and magic weight loss potions may help you to lose weight while you are following them. However, if the strategies you are putting in place are not practical to be followed in the long term, chances are you will regain any weight you lose.

Changing the way, you eat and increasing your physical activity is the best way to lose and maintain weight loss.

The webinar explores HOW TO START LOSING WEIGHT and SIMPLE WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR DIET, going into amazing Dietitian tips, so be sure to watch!

You are not alone in your weight loss journey!

If you or a friend or family, have been struggling with weight management, seek help from a Dietitian.

Within our clinic, our Dietitians are available to help one-on-one to support your weight goals or support you with the management of diabetes, heart health, food allergies, gut health and many more.  If you are unsure about what to expect from a Dietetic appointment, we have handy article on our website “why see a dietitian”.

At OSCAR Care Group, our team is here to help everyone for all ages and can even conduct a telehealth appointment if you are unable to come to our clinic.

Make an appointment