Weight Loss Medication: What Works, What Doesn't, and What You Need to Know

When you hear weight loss medication, prescription drugs designed to help people lose excess body fat by affecting appetite, metabolism, or fat absorption. Also known as anti-obesity drugs, these aren't quick fixes—they're tools used alongside diet and movement, especially when lifestyle changes alone aren't enough. In India, where metabolic issues are rising fast, these medications are no longer just for the severely obese. More people in their 40s and 50s are asking doctors about them—not because they want to look a certain way, but because carrying extra weight is making their knees ache, their blood sugar spike, and their sleep suffer.

Two names keep coming up: Ozempic, a diabetes drug that also reduces hunger by mimicking a natural gut hormone. Also known as semaglutide, it's now widely used off-label for weight loss. And Wegovy, a higher-dose version of the same active ingredient, specifically approved for weight management. Also known as GLP-1 agonist, it’s not a stimulant or appetite suppressant like old-school pills—it works by slowing digestion and telling your brain you’re full. These aren’t the same as over-the-counter supplements that promise miracles. They’re injectables, prescribed after evaluating your health history, and they come with real side effects—nausea, fatigue, and sometimes more serious risks if used without medical oversight.

Not everyone qualifies. Insurance rarely covers them unless you have obesity-related conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Online pharmacies make it look easy, but getting a real prescription still requires a doctor’s evaluation. Some people lose 10% of their body weight in months. Others see little change. And stopping the medication often means the weight comes back—because the drug doesn’t fix your habits, it just helps you stick to them.

What you’ll find below are real stories and facts from people who’ve tried these drugs, the tests doctors use to decide if you’re a candidate, how insurance works (or doesn’t), and what alternatives exist if these aren’t right for you. No hype. No fluff. Just what actually happens when weight loss medication enters the picture in India today.