Injectable drugs for weight management.

Australian prescriber2025PMID: 41416056

View on PubMed DOI: 10.18773/austprescr.2025.052

Plain Language Summary

Clinical overview of injectable weight management drugs including liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide, covering incretin hormone mimicry mechanisms, appetite suppression, gastric emptying effects, weight loss magnitude, and the clinical challenge of weight regain following drug discontinuation. Provides practical prescribing guidance for GPs and non-specialist clinicians. Serves as an accessible primary care reference for injectable anti-obesity drug prescribing—contextualizing tirzepatide's superior weight loss within the GLP-1 drug class and addressing the chronic disease model of pharmacotherapy requiring long-term treatment to maintain weight benefits.

Abstract

Obesity management is complex; medications must be used in conjunction with behavioural changes and monitoring by health professionals. Injectable drugs for weight management include glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (e.g. liraglutide, semaglutide) and dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g. tirzepatide). These drugs contribute to weight loss by mimicking the incretin hormones GLP-1 and GIP to reduce appetite, change food enjoyment, slow stomach emptying and stimulate insulin release. Regaining weight is common when these drugs are stopped, so they usually need to be continued long term. Relatively minor gastrointestinal issues are common. There is also a small but real risk of more serious adverse effects, including gallstones and pancreatitis. It is important to monitor mental health, as these drugs can change a patient's relationship with food, and they may be misused by those without obesity.

Authors

Yates, Natasha; South, Terri-Lynne

Keywords

glucagon-like peptide-1glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptideliraglutideobesitysemaglutidetirzepatideweight loss injectablesweight management