Angelica Brandelius

Managing overweight is rarely a matter of willpower. The body's complex biological systems interact to regulate appetite, energy expenditure, and fat storage – often in a way that counteracts weight loss. Medical weight loss aims to influence these processes and create better conditions for sustainable results over time. Here, we go through how the medications work and who the treatment is suitable for.

Interest in new drug treatments for obesity has increased markedly in recent years. MariTide is a treatment under clinical development that could potentially contribute to an increased understanding of the body's weight regulation and broaden treatment options for obesity.

Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the most widely used screening tools in healthcare for estimating the relationship between body weight and height. The measurement provides a general, statistical starting point for assessing the risk of various health conditions. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that BMI has limitations and cannot alone provide a complete picture of an individual's health status on its own.

CagriSema is a drug treatment under development for obesity. It combines two active substances, semaglutide and cagrilintide. By integrating two hormonal mechanisms of action, the treatment aims to influence both appetite regulation and glucose metabolism more comprehensively than treatment with a single substance.

Do you recognize the feeling of being tired all the time while also gaining weight, without understanding why? You’re not alone. Many people experience that their body feels heavier and everyday life more demanding when energy levels are low. It can be both frustrating and worrying, but there are often explanations for why this happens.

KwikPen is a pre-filled multi-dose pen from the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, used to administer the medication Mounjaro. This type of pen is designed to facilitate regular dosing during medical weight loss and the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Here we go through how to handle the pen safely – from preparation to correct storage – to ensure your treatment works optimally.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both well-documented medications for medical weight loss. In clinical studies, tirzepatide has shown a greater average weight loss than semaglutide, but individual efficacy, tolerability, and treatment choices vary. The choice of treatment should always be based on an individual medical assessment.

Orforglipron is an oral (non-peptide) GLP-1 receptor agonist that was recently approved in the USA (under the name Foundayo) for the treatment of adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related comorbidity. In clinical studies, the treatment has shown efficacy in both weight loss and blood sugar control.

The choice between bariatric surgery and medical treatment has changed alongside the development of new, effective medications. Today, modern GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists can provide significant weight loss that, in some cases, approaches the results previously achieved primarily through bariatric surgery. Here, we look at both options from a medical perspective and describe their effects, risks, and benefits.