Wegovy vs Phentermine: Compare These Prescription Weight Loss Drugs

Wegovy vs Phentermine: How These Weight Loss Drugs Compare

With obesity rates continuing to climb, the demand for effective weight loss medications is growing. Two of the most popular prescription diet pills today are Wegovy and phentermine. But whats the difference between these two drugs? Lets compare Wegovy vs phentermine side by side.

What is Wegovy?

Wegovy is a newer, injectable weight loss medication approved by the FDA in 2021. It contains semaglutide, a compound that mimics an appetite-reducing hormone called GLP-1.

How Wegovy Works

Wegovy activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain to suppress appetite. This leads to reduced food intake, enabling easier weight loss. It also slows stomach emptying and promotes feelings of fullness.

Wegovy Benefits

In clinical trials, Wegovy has been shown to:

• Reduce appetite and calorie intake
• Increase weight loss by 15-25% over diet and exercise alone
• Help patients lose 15-25% of their starting body weight
• Improve HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes

Wegovy Side Effects

Possible Wegovy side effects may include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Gallbladder problems
• Low blood sugar in diabetics
• Pancreatitis

What is Phentermine?

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that's been used for weight loss since the late 1950s. It stimulates the sympathetic nervous system to reduce hunger.

How Phentermine Works

Phentermine helps curb appetite by:

• Releasing norepinephrine and dopamine to suppress hunger signals
• Boosting metabolism and energy expenditure
• Increasing resting heart rate and blood pressure

Phentermine Benefits

Studies show phentermine can:

• Reduce food intake and help resist cravings
• Increase weight loss by up to 10% over diet alone
• Improve fat burning and calorie expenditure

Phentermine Side Effects

Phentermine is associated with side effects like:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Insomnia and restlessness
• Dry mouth
• Headaches
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Dizziness
• Dependence with prolonged use

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Mechanism of Action

Wegovy and phentermine work via completely different mechanisms:

• Wegovy acts on hunger signaling pathways in the brain by mimicking GLP-1.
• Phentermine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and neurotransmitter activity to suppress appetite.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Effectiveness

Studies directly comparing Wegovy and phentermine are limited. However, clinical trial data suggests:

• Wegovy produces significantly more weight loss, with patients losing 15-25% of their starting weight on average.
• Phentermine typically leads to modest but meaningful weight loss of around 5-10% on average.

The higher weight loss with Wegovy may be attributed to its effects on appetite, food intake, calorie absorption, and possibly energy expenditure.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Side Effects

Both Wegovy and phentermine can produce adverse effects, but the side effect profile differs:

• Wegovy is more likely to cause GI side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Phentermine tends to cause nervous system and cardiovascular effects like insomnia, anxiety, increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Wegovys GI effects are often worst when starting treatment but improve over time. Phentermines side effects are generally consistent with ongoing use.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Contraindications

Wegovy and phentermine both have some contraindications for their use:

• Wegovy should not be used in those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
• Phentermine is contraindicated in people with cardiovascular disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, and a history of drug abuse.

Caution is also advised when using either medication in elderly patients, those with diabetes, and people taking certain other drugs.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Administration

These two medications have different methods of administration:

• Wegovy is injected under the skin once weekly using an autoinjector pen device.
• Phentermine comes in tablets or capsules taken by mouth once daily before breakfast.

The injection method makes Wegovy a little more cumbersome to administer but ensures consistent dosing and absorption.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Treatment Duration

Wegovy and phentermine are intended for different treatment durations:

• Wegovy can be taken long-term by patients who continue to derive benefit in terms of weight loss and metabolic improvements.
• Phentermine is only approved for short-term use of 12 weeks or less due to the risk of side effects with longer term therapy.

Wegovy vs Phentermine: Cost and Availability

There are also differences in cost and availability:

• Wegovy is brand-name only and quite expensive, typically ranging from $1,200-1,500 per month without insurance.
• Phentermine is available as both brand name and far cheaper generic versions for $30-75 per month.

Wegovy is still relatively new, so demand often exceeds supply. Phentermine has been used for decades and is widely accessible.

The Bottom Line

When comparing Wegovy vs phentermine, Wegovy appears to be the more potent weight loss medication but has more barriers to access. Phentermine is cheaper and easier to obtain, but produces more modest weight loss results and has greater risks with prolonged use.

Talk to your doctor about whether Wegovy or phentermine is the right prescription weight loss medication for your needs and health profile.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.