Which Injections Can Help Lose Weight?

Q: Which weight loss injection is taken daily?

Saxenda and certain peptide injections are taken daily. Talk to your doctor to make sure these are safe and appropriate for your needs, as they may not be approved by the FDA. Saxenda and certain peptide injections are taken daily. Talk to your doctor to make sure these are safe and appropriate for your needs, as they may not be approved by the FDA.

Q: Can I lose weight by injections?

Certain injections can help you lose weight. However, they work best when paired with the right diet and exercise plan. Certain injections can help you lose weight. However, they work best when paired with the right diet and exercise plan.

By Erica Digap •

Updated on September 07, 2023

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Medically reviewed by Julia Zakrzewski, RD

Weight loss injections have been increasing in popularity in recent years. This article explores how well these fat-burning injections work and compares some of the most popular options.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the most popular fat loss injections, including weight loss injections in the stomach, plus some safety concerns, risks, and tips for losing weight in a healthy way.

Are weight loss injections safe?

Weight loss injections can sound appealing. However, it’s important to note these injections are not for everybody and some injections can have side effects.

Some of the most popular injections for weight loss have not been approved by the FDA. Others have very little research on the long-term effects. Even the injections that are approved for weight loss can have side effects, ranging from gastrointestinal discomfort to severe and long-term health concerns.

Talk to your doctor to see if you're a candidate for weight loss injections.

Can you use diabetic injections for weight loss?

Diabetes medications like Saxenda, Ozempic, and Rybelsus can help type 2 diabetics manage blood sugar. Some users also find that it helps manage weight. However, many of these diabetes medications are not approved for weight loss. Saxenda is the only diabetes medication on this list approved by the FDA for weight loss.

Which weight loss injections are the best?

Let's have a deep look into all possible weight loss manipulations and their effectiveness.

Saxenda

Saxenda (liraglutide) is used for both diabetes management and for chronic weight management. Saxenda increases insulin production and lowers blood sugar levels. It also slows the rate your body digests food, which can help with appetite suppression.

Pros

FDA-approved for weight loss in overweight adults with weight-related medical problems, obese adults, and obese pediatric patients 12 years and older with a body weight of 60kg and above
Has been found to be effective for weight management and has some cardiovascular health benefits
Regulates blood sugar levels

Cons

Side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and other abdominal problems
Daily injection, which may not be as convenient as weekly injections
May regain the weight after discontinuing use
Costly, especially as an everyday injection

Wegovy

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a weekly injectable weight loss medication. Wegovy is a GLP-1 drug that can help you lose weight by restricting your appetite.

Pros

Effective for weight loss in patients with obesity. Clinical trials have found that it is superior to other antidiabetic medications
FDA-approved for weight loss in overweight and obese adults, as well as obese children ages 12 and up
Can help regulate blood sugar levels, which may be good for type 2 diabetics

Cons

Common side effects include abdominal problems like nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, and bloating
It’s not yet known if Wegovy is safe and effective if taken with other weight loss products
Can be expensive and may not be covered by some insurance plans
May regain the weight after discontinuing use
Not approved for the diabetes treatment

Ozempic

Ozempic is a weekly semaglutide injection that can help control blood sugar levels, insulin, and appetite. However, Ozempic injections have a smaller dose (0.25–2 mg) than Wegovy. Ozempic has not been approved for weight loss.

Pros

Proven to lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes patients, as well as the risk for major cardiovascular events. Some users also saw weight loss while using Ozempic
Convenient once-a-week injections at a low dose (0.25–2 mg depending on your diabetes needs)
Lower risk of low blood sugar levels compared to other diabetes medications

Cons

May regain the weight after discontinuing use
Not approved by the FDA for weight loss

Semaglutide (Rybelsus)

Rybelsus is a semaglutide medication that helps type 2 diabetes patients manage their blood sugar levels and suppresses their appetite. Unlike Ozempic and Wegovy, Rybelsus is a daily pill, not an injectable. It also has not been approved by the FDA for weight loss.

Pros

Effective for managing blood sugar and insulin levels in type 2 diabetic patients
May help some users lose weight through appetite suppression

Cons

Daily pill form, may not be as convenient as injectables
May regain the weight after discontinuing use
Not approved for weight loss by the FDA
Expensive

HCG

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy. However, it is also sometimes marketed as an injectable or oral “supplement” for weight loss while paired with an extremely low-calorie diet.

Unfortunately, using HCG for weight loss can be dangerous. In fact, the FDA has warned people to stay away from HCG diet products. HCG supplements are also illegal; the only legal way to get them is through a prescription.

Pros

May be effective for treating female fertility issues when prescribed by a doctor

Cons

No scientific evidence that HCG itself can help with weight loss; may be more effective because of the extreme calorie deficit you follow while using HCG (500–800 calories for several days
Extreme calorie deficits can be extremely dangerous, leading to issues like malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance
Serious side effects like fatigue, irritability, blood clots, and ovarian issues
Not approved by the FDA for weight loss

B12

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a variety of roles in the formation of your red blood cells. It also is linked to your energy and metabolism, and some recent research suggests that vitamin B12 deficiencies may be linked to obesity.

Pros

Easy to obtain B-12 supplements over the counter, though you may need a prescription for a B-12 shot
Can help people with vitamin B12 deficiencies like vegans and vegetarians
Relatively inexpensive compared to other injections and supplements
Fewer side effects than other prescription medications

Cons

Not enough evidence to suggest that vitamin B12 shots can help you lose weight if you aren’t already deficient

Lipotropic

Lipotropic injections are a mixture of vitamins and other nutrients thought to help people lose weight. They commonly include nutrients like vitamin B12, other B-complex vitamins, L-carnitine, or phentermine.

Advocates of lipotropic injections say these various ingredients can help with weight loss in several ways, like boosting your metabolism and energy levels. However, more research needs to be done to determine how effective these shots actually are for weight loss.

Pros

Generally administered by professionals in healthcare settings or medical spas, but may not require a prescription

Cons

Research is limited to understand how effective these shots actually are for weight loss
No standardized ingredients in lipotropic injections, so results can vary widely

Peptides

Peptides are synthetic substances that reportedly help with weight loss by mimicking the actions of your natural hormones. This can lead to a number of effects like increasing metabolic rate or subduing appetite. Some of the most popular peptides for weight loss include tesamorelin, CJC-1295, and ipamorelin. Semaglutide (like Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Wegovy) is also a peptide.

Pros

Have been shown to be an effective for a variety of physiological activities that can support healthy weight management
Relatively low toxicity and side effects than other weight loss injections
Some, like Wegovy, are approved by the FDA for weight loss

Cons

Can be expensive, often taken daily or several times a week
Not available over the counter

How long do weight loss injections take to work?

The time it takes for a weight loss injection to work can vary depending on the kind of medication you’re taking. It also depends heavily on the number of calories you are eating and burning in a day.

Tips on how to lose weight

Although the injections might seem like an easy way of weight loss, keep these tips in mind when pursuing the weight loss journey:

Don’t rely on injections alone for weight loss. They work best when paired with the right diet, exercise, and healthy lifestyle. It’s especially important to healthily manage weight since you may gain the weight back after you stop injections.
Focus on a calorie deficit. Being at a calorie deficit is the most important factor for losing weight. Be mindful of the portions you eat and incorporate regular exercise to increase calorie burn.
Consider your muscle mass. Rapid weight loss can sometimes lead to muscle loss. Make sure to include plenty of protein in your diet and add resistance training to your exercise regimen to maintain lean muscle.
Talk to your doctor first. While some of these weight loss injections may be helpful for weight loss, they can also have risks. Make sure to talk to a medical professional to make sure you’re losing weight safely.

Final word

While some injections on the list might help you lose weight, they can also come with long-term risks, so consider the consequences before injecting any. As with any injection or supplement, there can definitely be adverse side effects. If you’re trying to lose weight, talk with a medical professional before trying a weight loss injection to weigh the risks with the benefits that come alongside. Lastly, try to aim for certain lifestyle changes as well as incorporating a healthier diet into your everyday routine.

FAQ

Which weight loss injection is taken daily?

Saxenda and certain peptide injections are taken daily. Talk to your doctor to make sure these are safe and appropriate for your needs, as they may not be approved by the FDA.

Can I lose weight by injections?

Certain injections can help you lose weight. However, they work best when paired with the right diet and exercise plan.

Can an injection reduce belly fat?

Fat loss isn’t targeted (except for surgical procedures like liposuction). Weight loss injections may help you lose weight but they can’t guarantee belly fat reduction.

Weight loss injections can help with weight loss in different ways, from appetite supression to metabolism-boosting.
The FDA has approved only Saxenda and Wegovy for weight loss.
It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting weight loss injections to ensure they’re safe for you.
Pair weight loss injections with a healthy diet and exercise for healthy weight loss. This is especially important since you can gain the weight back after you stop the injections if you don't have the right lifestyle changes.