The "safest" weight loss medication depends on individual health, but FDA-approved options like Semaglutide (Wegovy), Liraglutide (Saxenda), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), Orlistat (Xenical), and combination drugs like Phentermine/Topiramate (Qsymia) are considered safe and effective when prescribed and monitored by a doctor, with newer oral GLP-1s like Orforglipron showing promise for easier use and affordability. Your doctor will determine the best choice, balancing benefits, potential side effects (like nausea/GI issues for GLP-1s or fat malabsorption with Orlistat), and your overall health profile.
No, Wegovy (semaglutide) is not yet fully listed on Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for general weight loss, but significant progress has been made, with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) recommending it for PBS listing for specific high-risk groups with obesity and cardiovascular disease, a step that awaits final government approval. Until then, it remains a high out-of-pocket cost medication, though its approval for heart-related conditions could make it accessible for many more Australians.
Prescription Medication: Under a doctor's supervision, medication was part of her weight loss plan. High-Protein Diet: Eating a balanced, protein-rich diet helped her control hunger and reduce calorie intake. Walking: Regular, low-impact walking sessions helped Clarkson stay active and burn calories consistently.
In Australia, the most effective weight loss medications currently include Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic), which are GLP-1 agonists offering significant weight loss (15-25% in trials) by reducing appetite, with Tirzepatide showing slightly superior results. Other options are Liraglutide (Saxenda), offering 5-10% loss, and older drugs like Orlistat (Xenical/Alli) for modest fat absorption blockage, and short-term use Phentermine, but newer injectables are generally preferred for substantial results, always alongside diet and exercise.
Ozempic (semaglutide) requires a prescription and is only approved for type 2 diabetes. The only OTC weight-loss medication available is orlistat (60 mg, Alli). Prescription weight-loss injections similar to Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro are available.
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If you are looking for a similar, but more natural way to lose weight, you may have come across berberine — a supplement commonly referred to as "nature's Ozempic." Despite claims that berberine has health effects similar to GLP-1s, there is no conclusive evidence yet.
Semaglutide: A study compared liraglutide and semaglutide in terms of efficacy and side effects. The results showed that while both medications led to weight loss, semaglutide was more effective and had a lower frequency of side effects compared to liraglutide, particularly nausea and vomiting.
The choice between Duromine and Ozempic depends on various factors: Health Conditions: If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic might be beneficial. However, its use for weight loss is off-label in Australia. Lifestyle: Duromine requires daily commitment, while Ozempic's weekly injection might be more convenient for some.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), semaglutide (Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda) are weight loss medicines that are taken as an injection. They help reduce your appetite by making you feel full and slowing down the time it takes for your stomach to empty.
You can add a dash of cinnamon for flavor, as Clarkson does. Cinnamon can also have additional benefits for weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels. Stay Hydrated: While coffee can help curb your appetite, it's essential to drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
The 30-30-30 rule for weight loss is a simple morning routine: eat 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking, then do 30 minutes of low-intensity cardio (like a brisk walk) to help with fat loss and appetite control, according to this article from Moshy. Popularized by Tim Ferriss and wellness podcaster Gary Brecka, this method aims to kickstart your metabolism, increase fullness, and burn fat by leveraging your body's depleted glycogen stores after sleep, but it's not a magic bullet and works best as part of a balanced lifestyle, note Healthline and this article from bodyandsoul.com.au.
Physical activity, such as walking, is important for weight control because it helps you burn calories. If you add 30 minutes of brisk walking to your daily habits, you could burn about 150 more calories a day. Of course, the more you walk and the quicker your pace, the more calories you'll burn.
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Still, the FDA has not yet granted full approval for tirzepatide as a weight-loss drug for non-diabetics. For now, its use in that context is considered “off-label,” meaning doctors can prescribe it based on their own clinical judgment.
Phentermine is one of the most prescribed weight-loss medicines. But it isn't a good choice for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid gland or glaucoma. It also isn't for people who are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
There are other weight loss meds, of course, but there are also natural alternatives to Ozempic, like:
Currently, Australia has only four medications approved for obesity management with three available now: phentermine (Duromine), which suppresses appetite; orlistat (Xenical) which reduces dietary fat absorption; and liraglutide (Saxenda), a synthetic version of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.
Simplifying The 7 Days Diet Plan For Weight Loss:
Is Wegovy or Mounjaro safer? Both medications have acceptable safety profiles and similar side effect profiles. Wegovy has a longer track record, as it was approved earlier. Neither medication has shown significant safety concerns in clinical trials or real-world use when prescribed appropriately.
Amy Schumer stopped taking Ozempic because it made her feel "bedridden," severely nauseous, and unable to play with her young son, attributing her extreme reaction to a genetic marker (GDF15) that causes intense nausea, similar to her difficult pregnancies. She found the side effects—vomiting, lack of energy—made the medication "not livable," despite experiencing significant weight loss.
Kelly Clarkson uses a prescription weight-loss medication, but specified it's not Ozempic, though she hasn't revealed the exact drug; it helps her body break down sugar, a necessity due to pre-diabetes, alongside healthy habits like a high-protein diet, increased walking, and a better lifestyle after moving to New York. Her doctor encouraged medication due to concerning blood work, leading her to start after a health scare prompted change, though she initially hesitated due to thyroid issues.