Before there were injector pens like Mounjaro and Wegovy, pills were the mainstay of weight loss medication. In fact, diet and weight loss pills have been around for decades—though today, it’s mostly just one (orlistat) that’s prescribed in the UK.
We can understand that taking a pill might seem easier and more convenient than an injection (though, we must say, the pens are pretty straightforward to use). Yet the injections can drive serious results: for instance, people taking Mounjaro could lose up to 22.5% of their starting weight.
So, which medicine should you go for: injector pens or pills? Because everyone’s different, we can’t say for sure how a particular medicine might affect you personally. But we can weigh up the pros and cons of different options—and dig into the scientific research to get a steer on which may be more effective. We’ve laid it all out for you below.
Which weight loss injections and pills are available in the UK?
Here are the most commonly-prescribed weight loss medicines in the UK. And FYI: all of them are meant to be taken alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
Injections
These work by making you feel full, so you eat less. We’ve explained how they do that in more detail further down the page.
Mounjaro
Using the active ingredient tirzepatide, Mounjaro works by behaving like two natural hormones: GLP-1 and GIP. This dual action is what makes it so potent.
Wegovy
Wegovy only mimics the effects of GLP-1 (this type of medicine is called a GLP-1 receptor agonist). That means it brings on the effects of one hormone, rather than two like Mounjaro. Its active ingredient is semaglutide.
Saxenda
And then we have Saxenda, another GLP-1 receptor agonist. Though it uses a different active ingredient to Wegovy—liraglutide.
Pills
Orlistat
This is the only weight loss pill you can get on the NHS, and the only one we offer as part of our weight loss programme. It works by reducing the amount of fat you absorb from your food.
How do weight loss injections work?
We’re glad you asked. Weight loss injections make you feel full by acting like hormones that are released when you eat: either just GLP-1 (Wegovy and Saxenda) or GLP-1 and GIP (Mounjaro). That means they bring on the same effects that those hormones naturally would in the body.
To be more specific they stimulate the production of insulin after you eat (which tells the brain you’re full), tell the brain to lower your appetite, and slow the rate of digestion (this makes you feel fuller for longer).
Mounjaro does the above via the effects of two hormones rather than one. That’s why it works so well: in a head-to-head comparison, Mounjaro drove more weight loss than Wegovy (and Wegovy has been shown to be more effective than Saxenda).
Orlistat takes another approach entirely—it prevents your gut from absorbing fat from your diet. This fat then comes out in your stools.
Pros and cons of weight loss injections vs pills
Okay, now let’s get into the nitty gritty: how do weight loss pills stack up against injections?
Effectiveness
Per scientific research, injections come out on top here. On average, studies have shown that:
- People taking Mounjaro lost around 22.5% body weight after 88 weeks.
- People taking Wegovy lost around 15% body weight on average after 68 weeks.
- After a year on Saxenda, people lost 7.4% body weight on average.
- Roughly one in five people on orlistat lost at least 10% body weight after a year
And for reference: lifestyle changes alone can lead to around 1-10% weight loss.
Ease of use
Because pills are taken orally, you might see them as more convenient than an injection. Though injector pens are pretty simple to use, and for most people, the pain is either very mild or non-existent.
Aside from Saxenda, which is taken every day, weight loss injections are done weekly. But you need to take pills at least once per day: you can take orlistat up to three times a day, but only when you consume a fat-containing meal.
Side effects
Side effects are common for any of the medicines we’ve mentioned and can affect over one in ten people. Mostly though, they’re manageable and clear up on their own.
Symptoms from injections tend to affect the gut: think nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation.
With orlistat, the most common symptoms include headache, abdominal pain, and passing oily stools more frequently.
Heads up: this isn’t a full list of all possible side effects. And if your symptoms get worse, are bothering you, or don’t go away, check in with your clinician.
Cost
Pills are the winner here. While prices can vary depending on the provider, a pack of Orlistat is generally cheaper than injectable weight management solutions.
Choosing the right weight loss medication for you
What’s right for you depends on your personal preferences and health goals—for instance, if a less potent medicine can get you results you’re happy with, that’s totally fine. Though ultimately, your provider will recommend what they think is best.
Whatever you go for, it’s super important that you use your medication alongside a nutritious, balanced diet and regular exercise. That’s how all of these medicines are meant to be taken and they might not work as well if you use them on their own.
They aren’t a quick fix or shortcut to reaching your goals, either. To get the most out of weight loss medication, you usually need to take it for at least a year. We know that sounds like a long time, but we know you’ve got this.
Your weight loss journey
With so many options, we get that you might be feeling a little overwhelmed right now! And while it can be scary to take a leap and try a new medicine, we want to remind you that you aren’t on this journey alone.
As part of our weight loss programme, you’ll get weekly medication (we have Mounjaro, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Orlistat) plus one-to-one access to our team of coaches and clincians who will create a personalised plan of action for you. We’re in this with you for the long haul: from your first step to the moment you smash your goals—and beyond.
Interested in weight management medication? Take a couple of minutes to fill out this short form to see if you’re eligible.
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