Weight-loss drugs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many people seeking out injections that can help them to shed excess body we
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The first weight-loss drug to gain widespread popularity was dinitrophenol, which was used by as many as 100,000 Americans in 1934. Unfortunately, it was highly toxic, leading to cataracts and occasional deaths. The drug was eventually banned, but not before an estimated 25,000 people had been blinded by its use. Amphetamines were also widely used for weight-loss until the risk of addiction and other side-effects became apparent. The herbal medication ephedra, which was taken by an estimated 70,000 people in 1977, was also banned after it led to deaths. More recently, two other weight-loss drugs, rimonabant and sibutramine, were withdrawn from sale due to safety concerns.
The new generation of weight-loss drugs, which seem far safer, were discovered by accident. They were actually developed to improve glucose regulation in diabetics, who suffer from an excess of sugar in the bloodstream. The drugs use short chains of amino acids to mimic the hormones produced naturally by the body after a meal, but which diabetics sometimes produce in insufficient quantities.
The drugs semaglutide (sold as Wegovy) and tirzepatide (to be sold as Mounjaro) imitate the action of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), one such hormone. This increases the production of insulin (which transports blood sugar into body cells) and reduces the production of glucagon (which releases sugar into the bloodstream from the liver). It also slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, creating a feeling of fullness that reduces appetite. In addition, the drug may increase energy expenditure by changing fat tissue into brown adipose tissue, which is more likely to be burned at rest.
These effects not only help diabetics, but also promote weight loss. However, there are drawbacks. Side-effects of GLP-1 drugs include nausea and vomiting and there are concerns that they may increase a person’s risk of developing thyroid tumours. The drugs certainly should not be taken for cosmetic reasons. They may also need to be taken for a lifetime: when patients stop taking them they regain most of the weight that they had lost. And they are expensive.
The potential benefits of such drugs go beyond their ability to promote weight loss in individuals. By showing that molecular mechanisms hinder people’s attempts to lose weight, they show that gluttony is not to blame when people remain obese. That should slowly help to eliminate the stigma.
Unfortunately, the problem of obesity is growing rapidly, with more than half of the world’s population expected to be overweight by 2035. New weight-loss drugs represent a turning-point in the treatment of obesity, but if governments want to spend less on medication and surgery, they will need to focus on preventing people from becoming obese in the first place. This could involve creating more accessible and affordable healthy food options, encouraging physical activity, and providing education on nutrition and healthy eating habits.
In conclusion, weight-loss drugs have a long and troubled history. The latest generation of drugs were discovered by accident and offer a powerful new option to treat obesity, which is now widely accepted by doctors as a chronic disease. While these drugs can help to reduce obesity, preventative measures are ultimately needed to reduce the growing problem of overweight and obesity.
