Back in the late ’90s, when I was a fresh-faced medical student at Monash University in Melbourne, one of my professors was convinced a wonder drug for weight loss was just around the corner – a magic pill that could melt away fat and change lives.
Sadly, that brilliant ‘breakthrough’ didn’t materialise at the time. In fact, it took another 20 years – plus a mountain of research – before anything truly dramatic landed in patients’ hands.
For years, most of the options on offer were pretty underwhelming. A strict diet and strenuous exercise has only been able to reduce total body weight by about 5 per cent. And adding in medication hasn’t been much better, reaching maybe a 7 per cent reduction in total body weight if people were lucky.
Typical weight loss solutions included drugs that stopped fat from being absorbed, but this often caused uncontrollable, oily diarrhoea. Stimulants can be used to speed up metabolism, but can increase blood pressure and make people feel anxious, which isn’t ideal for people with heart issues or mental health concerns.
Weight loss surgery can help many people lose weight, but comes with the risk of having an operation, and has been poorly funded through the public health system.
Since 2019, though, a new class of drugs – GLP-1 RAs (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists) – has raised the bar, with much more promising results.
One of these medications is Semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic is used to treat Type 2 Diabetes, while Wegovy is available in higher doses for weight loss and helping people maintain their weight over time.
GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide work in several ways. They can reduce hunger, help people feel fuller for longer by slowing down stomach emptying, improve how the liver manages sugar, and can even quiet that relentless ‘food noise’ that drives pantry raids in the middle of the night.
The field of weight loss medications is moving fast with 39 new GLP-1 drugs currently in development, says Dr Brad McKay (pictured)
Mounjaro, known generically as tirzepatide, is the current front-runner when it comes to weight loss medications – but there are plenty more drugs in development which aim to be more effective, with fewer side effects
Then there’s Tirzepatide – the active ingredent in Mounjaro – (known as Zepbound overseas.) Unlike Ozempic, which targets just one hormone (GLP-1), Mounjaro affects two: GLP-1 and GIP. This dual action means it can suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar even more effectively.
Mounjaro is indicated for the treatment of Diabetes Type 2 and Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, while Zepbound is indicated for weight reduction management overseas.
In studies, people tend to lose more weight with Mounjaro than with Ozempic, making it the newest front-runner in weight management.
Of course, side effects are part of the package: nausea, constipation, reflux and diarrhoea can crop up. But for many people, the risks of staying overweight are far greater.
A rapidly changing landscape
This field is moving fast. Right now, there are about 39 new GLP-1 drugs in development worldwide. From 2026, experts reckon we’ll see at least one or two new options hitting the market every year, as scientists fine-tune these medications to work better, and with fewer side effects.
It’s just the start of a long journey – making meds safer, more effective, and fit for more people.
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is working on an Ozempic-style semaglutide tablet just for weight loss, and early results are big (stock image)
From injections to tablets: what’s next?
Most GLP-1 options still come in injection form. Rybelsus, indicated for Type 2 diabetes, stands out as a tablet, though it needs a higher dose to work (thanks to how our guts absorb it). Researchers are tinkering away to make oral drugs stronger and easier to take.
Tablets have big perks: no cold storage, no needles, and much simpler for travel. As technology improves, there’ll be room for both options.
Goodbye needles, hello tablets
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk is working on an Ozempic-style semaglutide tablet just for weight loss, and early results are big: participants lost roughly 15 per cent of their body weight in just over a year, compared to only two per cent on a placebo.
Eli Lilly is hot on their heels, developing a tablet called orforglipron. Early studies saw people shed about 12–15 per cent of their body weight over nine to 18 months – and two in five lost more than 15 per cent.
Most people did well, with mild tummy upset the most common side effect, and only about 5–8 per cent dropping out. It’s still early days, and we’ll need more long-term data, but orforglipron looks set to be a useful option for those who hate needles.
New and powerful injections
Not everyone minds the injection route – especially with next-level potency. Eli Lilly’s Retatrutide is in development. It targets three hormones, not just one, and in early trials, some people lost up to an astonishing 24 per cent of their body weight in under a year.
Biotech giant Amgen is also working on MariTide, a monthly injection. The headline so far? Up to 20 per cent weight loss in a year for some participants – though the trade-off is more side effects, so researchers are experimenting with dosing schedules to make it safer.
What about safety concerns?
Naturally, stronger drugs raise new worries: losing weight too rapidly, risking muscle loss, stretched skin, and other issues. But all of these are mostly preventable with careful, responsible use under the guidance of a GP or specialist.
My advice to patients is simple: it’s not a race. The goal is gradual, sustainable progress. If you’re seeing steady results at a lower dose, there’s no need to chase a higher one. Slow and steady really is best.
Beyond GLP-1: What’s next for appetite regulation?
Researchers aren’t stopping with GLP-1. They’re busy exploring other appetite-related hormones like PYY (peptide tyrosine-tyrosine) and CCK (cholecystokinin), hoping for even better solutions in the future.
With dozens of drugs in the pipeline and oral options improving, we’re entering an era of greater choice and safety for patients – plus better accessibility than ever.
What about the price tag?
Cost remains a sticking point. Even as more therapies arrive, prices aren’t set to drop much while demand stays high. Hopefully, government PBS funding will follow, making these life-changing medications more affordable for Australians.
Brad McKay is a medical practitioner, author, TV host, and media commentator. Since his role as the host of Embarrassing Bodies Down Under and the release of his book Fake Medicine: Exposing the Wellness Crazes, Cons, and Quacks Costing Us Our Health, he’s emerged as one of the leading voices in Australian healthcare
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Therapeutic goods and treatments mentioned, including medications and medical devices, may not be suitable for everyone. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any treatment.
This content complies with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines by avoiding misleading claims, ensuring accuracy, and encouraging consumers to seek appropriate medical advice.
Weight loss medications like these are available only with a prescription and should be used under the guidance of a qualified health professional.
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