Wegovy vs Phentermine for Obesity
If you are looking for weight management drugs, you can find them everywhere. Many prescription medications are available in the pharmacy or local market. Two of the most common weight loss pills healthcare practitioners prescribe are Wegovy and Phentermine.
These drugs differ in their active ingredients, potential side effects, and dosage. Deciding which one is best for you depends on your overall profile. In this blog, we will learn more about Wegovy and Phentermine.
In the meantime, contact us at Therapy Fleet if you are looking for an online telemedicine platform to discuss your weight management issues.
Living With Obesity; Should I Take Weight-Loss Medicine?
We all know that obesity is not healthy. People living with obesity suffer from serious health complications like high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. If you have been on a weight loss journey with exercise and eating a healthy diet but cannot lose weight, then it’s time to visit an expert healthcare practitioner who can guide you further.
They might prescribe you anti-obesity medications, such as Wegovy or Phentermine, for weight loss. These drugs are approved by the FDA and help people in their weight loss journey, subsequently reducing the risk of chronic health disease.
Do I Qualify for Weight Loss Drugs?
You can only qualify for weight loss drugs if you are unable to lose weight combined with exercise, have a BMI of more than 30 or more than 27, and suffer from some chronic disease related to your weight, such as highest blood pressure and heart disease.
More on Wegovy vs Phentermine
Both Wegovy and Phentermine are prescribed for obesity or to people who are obese and suffer from weight-related issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type two diabetes. Although used for weight loss, Wegovy and Phentermine are different. Brand-name Wegovy was approved in 2021, while Phentermine, a generic drug, was approved in 1959.
Key Differences Between Wegovy vs Phentermine
Yes, both are medications used to help shed extra weight. But they are different in many ways. Let us find out the key differences between Wegovy and Phentermine.
Active Ingredients
The main difference between the two is their active ingredients. Phentermine belongs to a class of medications called sympathomimetic amines. These medications promote the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that suppresses appetite. Phentermine’s mode of action is similar to amphetamine’s.
In contrast, Wegovy consists of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 GLP-1 receptor agonist. This receptor agonist mimics a hormone that regulates hunger and appetite and releases insulin. Thus, you feel fuller after eating a little food, helping reduce calorie intake.
Dosage and Drug Forms
Wegovy is available in injectable forms, prescribed only once a week. However, the final dosage varies throughout the treatment. A small dosage initially reduces the chances of risks and helps develop tolerance.
Phentermine is available as tablets and capsules under the brand names Lomaira and Adipex-p, and another drug called Qsymia, a combination of topiramate, aids in weight loss. The usual dose is one/day.
Conditions Treated by Wegovy vs. Phentermine
Wegovy has FDA approval for managing chronic weight management in children > 12 years and for adults suffering from obesity. Wegovy is also helpful in obese adults living with at least one weight-related health condition.
In contrast, Phentermine has FDA approval for managing weight in children> over 17 and obese adults. However, Wegovy is approved for long-term weight loss treatment, while Phentermine is only approved for short-term use.
Wegovy vs. Phentermine is part of a treatment plan that includes a reduced-calorie diet, exercise, lifestyle modifications, and proper guidance from healthcare professionals.
Do you know that Weogvy has also been approved to reduce the risk of heart-related complications? It helps to reduce the dangers of stroke, heart attacks, and other heart complications, making it an ideal choice for obese people living with heart disease.
How Does Wegovy vs Phentermine Compare for Weight Loss?
Wegovy and Phentermine aid in weight loss, but how much weight you shed depends on factors like your baseline weight, overall health conditions, and how your body responds to the drug and lifestyle changes. Nevertheless, the good news is that both show promising results.
Many clinical trials are required to determine which is more effective. However, the results show that Wegovy showed better results. One study showed a loss of 6 to 7 kg in 3 months and 12.3kg in 6 months. There are many different weight loss drugs, and all have risks, benefits, and side effects. Only your healthcare provider can guide you toward the best treatment plan.
Insurance and Cost Comparison
Usually, insurance agencies do not cover weight loss medicines. Your plan will determine your coverage for Wegovy vs. Phentermine. As Wegovy was only recently approved, it is more expensive than Phentermine. Also, Wegovy is available only under the brand name, thus being more expensive.
Side Effects and Contraindications – Wegovy vs Phentermine
Like all other medicines, Phentermine vs Wegovy have some side effects. The side effects for Wegovy are usually more potent at the beginning but ease slowly as you get used to the medicine.
For Phentermine, the effects last as long as you are on the treatment and generally get rough with time. Like other medications, Wegovy and Phentermine may cause side effects.
Wegovy
Some common side effects are;
Low blood sugar levels
Vomiting
Headache
Fatigue
Heartburn
Diarrheas
Nausea
GERD
Abdominal pain
Dizziness
Gas
Serious Reaction includes;
Gallbladder disease
Acute pancreatitis
Acute kidney injury
Rapid heartbeat And much more
Note- Wegovy comes with a boxed warning as it increases the risk of thyroid cancer. Never use any weight loss drug without prior consultation from a doctor.
Phentermine
Some common side effects are;
Constipation
Diarrhea
Headache
Agitation
Dizziness
Dry mouth
High blood pressure
Hyperactivity
Dizziness
Rapid heartbeat
Insomnia
Unpleasant taste
tremor
Rare reactions or serious side effects of Phentermine include;
Valvular heart disease
Primary pulmonary hypertension
And withdrawal symptoms ( it is a controlled substance)
Wegovy vs Phentermine Drug Interactions
- Do not use Wegovy if you are using insulin or other medications for diabetes. Wegovy lowers the sugar levels, raising the risk of hypoglycemia. Ask your healthcare provider to adjust the dose of these drugs to ensure your sugar levels remain safe.
- In contrast, Phentermine interacts with monoamine oxidase inhibitors. If your doctor puts you on Phentermine, keep a gap of 14 days before you start taking it Phentermine. If Maois and Phentermine are used together, the blood pressure falls too low, and it also imposes the risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Phentermine also interacts with antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, SNRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. All these drugs raise the risk of serotonin syndrome, as these antidepressants increase the levels of serotonin in the blood.
- Phentermine should not be taken with blood pressure drugs as Phentermine reduces the effectiveness of these medicines.
Note:– provide your doctor with a complete list of medications, including OTC, herbal, and prescription drugs.
Is Phentermine Safer Than Wegovy?
Phentermine is a Schedule 4 controlled substance. It has a chance of misuse and addiction in comparison to Wegovy. In case of tolerance, discontinue the drug immediately. Never increase the dose on your own if the drugs fail to be effective, as it can lead to serious health complications.
Phentermine is also associated with pulmonary hypertension, which is a fatal lung disease. Look out for symptoms of shortness of breath, leg swelling, fainting, and chest pain. Seek medical attention in case of an emergency.
As mentioned above, this imposes a risk of thyroid cancer. It should be avoided in people with a family history of modular thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Both drugs should be avoided in pregnant women as they can cause harm to the unborn baby. They can also be present in breast milk; therefore, breastfeeding mothers should not take this medication. Make sure to consult the healthcare provider before starting this medication if you’re pregnant or become ill soon.
Which Is Safer, Wegovy or Phentermine?
You cannot determine the answer to that. The effectiveness depends on various factors; however, in one meta-analysis,
- Wegovy showed better results were more effective and resulted in more weight loss in 6 months, while for Phentermine, only 5% of the body weight loss was noticed.
- Another review showed that Wegovy leads to significant weight loss, similar to gastric bypass surgery. However, older drugs like Phentermine typically showed less impact and had more side effects. Still, the cost and the limited availability of the new drug make things challenging, making Phentermine a viable option.
- Suppose you’re confused about which medication is suitable for you. In that case, you need to consult with the doctor as they will decide, depending on your health history, medical condition, and what side effects you are willing to take.
- Different trials show that Wegovy is more effective than Phentermine, but it is expensive and not readily available. Wegovy, being a new drug invented, is also generally safer. It is ideal for people with high blood pressure or heart problems.
- Phentermine is affordable but comes with harsh side effects. Also, Wegovy comes as a tablet and capsule, and Phentermine only as an injection.Only a healthcare provider will decide what’s best for you and help you with your weight loss journey to align with your weight loss goals.
Final Thoughts
Wegovy and Phentermine are weight loss prescription drugs, both influential in their own ways. However, when it comes to safety, cost, mode of action, and treatment duration, they are entirely different. Speak with an expert about your goals, and they will decide on the most feasible plan for you. If you want to buy Phentermine online, Contact Therapy Fleet today.
Both are weight loss medications, but they differ in their mode of action, side effects, and treatment duration. Learn more about these drugs in this blog.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to lose weight on Wegovy or Phentermine?
Wegovy is for long-term use, and Phentermine is for the short term. According to clinical trials, WEgovy showed a loss of 15% weight in 68 weeks, while 5% in 12 weeks for Phentermine.
2. Can you take Wegovy and Phentermine at the same time?
Typically, there are no drug interactions between the two. But, according to the manufacturers of Phentermine, it is not recommended to combine it with other weight loss drugs as the data on its safety is minimal.
3. What is the difference between Phentermine and semaglutide?
Both are weight loss medications, yet they work differently. Their cost, side effects, and the form in which they are available are different. However, Phentermine is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
4. Why am I not losing weight on Phentermine?
All weight loss drugs require extra input from the individual. A drug alone cannot result in weight loss. If you are not shedding weight try making lifestyle changes and shift to low calorie diet. If you still fail to see results with these changes along, talk to your doctor
