Injectable medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy are the most effective treatments available for weight loss, especially when combined with a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise.

In clinical trials, patients taking Mounjaro consistently experienced greater weight loss than those taking Wegovy. 32% of participants lost at least a quarter of their body weight with Mounjaro, compared to 16% with Wegovy.

Alternatively, other highly effective weight loss options include oral medications such as Orlistat, Orlos, Alli, and Xenical. Clinical studies show that individuals can lose over 10% of their body weight in one year when using Orlistat-based treatments, especially when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Factors such as age, underlying health conditions, diets and lifestyle habits can affect the suitability of and response to different weight loss treatments.

At OPRX, we offer our patients a reliable, personalised weight loss service from start to finish. If you're unsure which weight loss treatment to take, please complete our free online consultation for weight loss treatment to determine the most suitable option for you.

Obesity is a chronic disease which refers to the excessive accumulation of body fat and can result in an increased risk of developing serious health conditions. According to the NHS, obesity is diagnosed if an individual has a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30. In comparison, individuals are deemed overweight for their height if their BMI is between 25 and 29.9.

Being overweight also refers to having an above-average weight due to excessive body fat. However, the excess weight can be managed through lifestyle adjustments such as dietary changes.

Individuals with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to be at a healthy weight, and those with a BMI under 18.5 are considered underweight.

Obesity can lead to a number of health risks, including:

Cardiovascular issues (such as heart disease) - the accumulation of visceral fat around the organs can increase the volume of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis), narrowing the arteries and increasing the individual’s blood pressure, which can cause an individual to develop cardiovascular issues. Recent clinical evidence shows that Wegovy lowers the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) by 20%, and can therefore be used to significantly reduce your likelihood of heart disease.
Joint pain - the high overall body weight of obese individuals can place additional stress on the joints in the knees, hips and lower back, accelerating the wearing of joint cartilage can result in substantial pain and discomfort.
Respiratory issues - excess fat on the abdomen can restrict the movement of the diaphragm and compress the lungs, causing respiratory issues such as sleep apnoea and intermittent breathlessness.
Type 2 diabetes - the accumulation of visceral fat on the body can cause fat cells to release inflammatory chemicals that affect the body’s ability to respond to insulin, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels, which contributes to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Research has found that Mounjaro reduces blood sugar levels and body weight, and is therefore an appropriate medication for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes.

The rate at which an individual loses weight depends on the size of the caloric deficit they maintain each day, as determined by their diet, lifestyle, and the use of weight loss treatments.

A deficit of 500 calories per day results in approximately 1.1 pounds (0.5kg) of weight loss per week. This calorie deficit can be maintained by following a calorie-restricted but healthy and balanced diet, in addition to engaging in daily physical activity.

Injectable weight loss treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro contain active ingredients that aid weight loss by helping control appetite and slowing down gastric emptying, but need to be supported by regular exercise and healthy dietary choices. When taking Mounjaro, patients experienced an average of 1% weight loss a week for the first four weeks.

Weight loss capsules are taken orally, while weight loss injections are administered into the upper legs, stomach area (abdomen), or upper arms. Each treatment type works differently, as capsules and injections have distinct mechanisms of action depending on their active ingredients.

At Pharmica, we provide injectable weight loss treatments which contain different active ingredients:

• Wegovy (semaglutide) - a prescription-only weekly weight loss injection, which mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1 to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying and increase feelings of fullness. The combination of these effects can help patients maintain a calorie deficit and aid weight loss when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - a prescription-only, dual-action weekly injection, which works by mimicking GLP-1 and GIP hormones to help control appetite, slowing gastric emptying to make you feel fuller for longer and stimulating insulin release after meals to reduce food cravings. Mounjaro should be used in combination with healthy lifestyle changes for best results.

Recommended reading: Wegovy vs Mounjaro: Weight Loss Injection Comparison

We also provide oral weight loss capsules such as:

• Orlistat 120mg - a prescription weight loss aid suitable for adults with a BMI over 30. Orlistat is a dietary fat binder which blocks the lipase enzyme from breaking down and digesting fat molecules, causing fewer calories to be absorbed from the fat content of foods.
• Orlos (Orlistat 60mg) - a weight loss aid containing 60mg of the active ingredient, 'orlistat'. The lower dosage of orlistat in Orlos makes this treatment suitable for individuals with a BMI of 28 or above.
• Alli (Orlistat 60mg) - a branded version of Orlos which also contains 60mg of the active ingredient 'orlistat'. Alli and Orlos are medically identical and produce the same effects, however, Alli is more expensive than Orlos as it is a branded treatment.
• Xenical (Orlistat 120mg) - a branded version of the prescription weight loss treatment, Orlistat 120mg. Xenical and generic Orlistat 120mg are medically identical as they both contain 120mg of the active ingredient 'orlistat' and produce the same effects. However, Xenical is more expensive than Orlistat 120mg as it is a branded treatment.