There is a real epidemic of obesity in the world today. This dangerous condition causes many serious illnesses and even death. According to the data, there were recorded 4.7 million premature deaths from obesity in 2017. Just think: in 2016, the number of adults worldwide who were obese reached 13%, and 39% were diagnosed as overweight. These deplorable data force scientists to look for effective drugs for obesity and overweight. What are the differences between the medications? In this article, we will compare Wegovy and Phentermine to find out the pros and cons of each drug.
Phentermine appeared in the middle of the last century. The TGA approved the drug in 1991, and its active ingredient is phentermine hydrochloride, which affects the nervous system. It causes releasing neurostimulators such as adrenaline, which leads to reduced appetite, increased heart rate, and improved energy levels. Later, other drugs containing a similar active substance appeared, for example, Adipex-P. When comparing Wegovy and Adipex, you should consider that the generic has the same active ingredient, phentermine, and Wegovy has semaglutide.
Wegovy made a revolution among weight loss medications. It was the first injectable you should not take every day. The TGA approved Wegovy in 2022. Its active substance is semaglutide, simulating the satiety hormone, which reduces appetite and helps in weight loss. One of the advantages of the drug is that you can use it for a long time, unlike Phentermine, which is suitable for short-term therapy due to its effect on the body, comparable to that of amphetamine.
What to select: Wegovy or Phentermine? These are entirely different drugs, although you can use them to solve the same problem. You can find the main differences between them in the table below.
Wegovy | Phentermine | |
Use | To treat excess weight (BMI≥27) and obesity (BMI≥30), and complications caused by overweight | To treat excess weight (BMI≥27) and obesity (BMI≥30) and complications caused by overweight |
Active ingredient | semaglutide | phentermine hydrochloride |
Mechanism of action | GLP-1 agonist | CNS stimulant |
Dosage form | Subcutaneous injections with dosages of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg. | Tablets and capsules with dosages of 8 mg, 15 mg, 18.75 mg, 30 mg, and 37.5 mg. |
Frequent side effects |
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Contraindications |
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Insurance coverage | In the case of a direct agreement with the manufacturer Novo Nordisk or in some insurance plans. | May be covered by some health insurance plans. |
Price | From 2 201 AUD for 4 weeks of treatment. | 18.04 AUD for a supply of 37.5 mg tablets per month. |
Сan you take Wegovy and Phentermine together
Considering that eight hormones in the human body are responsible for satiety and appetite control, you can use several drugs to achieve a more stable and long-term effect in treating obesity. Can you take Phentermine with Wegovy? You can do it in combination regimens, but you must use each drug at a low dosage to avoid side effects.
According to the data, Wegovy and Phentermine interactions are moderate. To avoid hypoglycemia, you should closely monitor blood sugar levels when combining these drugs. Treatment is acceptable only after consulting a doctor and under his supervision.
Obesity treatment is a long process since it is challenging to bring the hormones responsible for hunger back to normal. It can take years, so you need to choose the drug for treatment with great care. Also, necessary conditions for the effectiveness of treatment are exercise, diet changes, and switching to a healthy lifestyle. Only the combination of all these factors guarantees a lasting result.
FAQ
Is Wegovy better than Phentermine?
These drugs have different mechanisms of action, so you should choose the most suitable for a particular situation. They both contribute to effective weight loss. Some consider Phentermine the best choice for those on a strict diet and aiming for faster results. Аnd Wegovy is for the long-term treatment of obesity in people with a BMI≥30 and complications such as type 2 diabetes.
Can Wegovy be taken with Phentermine?
In some cases, combined use of the drugs is acceptable because they have different mechanisms of action. But only a doctor must decide on the need for such a combination based on the history of the disease and individual characteristics.
Conclusion
They use Wegovy and Phentermine to treat obesity and excess weight. The drugs contain different active ingredients and affect the body differently. Usually, doctors prescribe short-term treatment with Phentermine combined with a strict diet and increased exercise.
Wegovy is for long-term treatment. In some situations, a combination of these drugs is possible since they do not duplicate the action of each other. But only a doctor must make such a decision.
