Elsa Angel Rose
Initially, the drug was not accessible to everyone, only for the ‘elite’, as the drug cost a fortune. But in March 2026, with the expiry of the patent for semaglutide, the key molecule used to produce weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, several Indian pharmaceutical companies moved to launch lower-cost generic versions, opening up new competition in a fast-growing market for obesity treatment and offering more affordable versions of the Ozempic and Wegovy drugs. The patent for Mounjaro, wherein Tirzepatide is the major ingredient, has not expired yet. According to its company, Novo Nordisk India, low doses of Ozempic and Wegovy are now being sold in India for as little as $20. Generic alternatives are priced up to 70 per cent lower, making the treatment significantly more affordable and accessible. Offering more insights, Dr Mithila Kudchadkar, a specialised doctor in Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM) at Manipal Hospital, shared, “The growing popularity of weight loss drugs is driven by rising obesity rates, increasing awareness about obesity related diseases, social media influence, celebrity discussions, and the desire for quicker results compared to conventional dieting alone. At the same time, obesity is increasingly being recognised as a chronic medical condition rather than simply a lifestyle issue, which has encouraged more people to seek medical treatment options.” GROWING POPULARITY OF WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS It is positive news that nobody will be obese anymore in India as long as GLP-1 receptor agonists (a class of medications that manage type 2 diabetes and obesity by mimicking a hormone that lowers blood sugar, slows gastric emptying, and increases satiety), including Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other weight loss drugs, are affordable and available in plenty. However, the decrease in prices of Ozempic and the consequent buying of the medicines has given rise to a new fear of misuse of the same, for instance, buying without prescriptions. Apart from the fear of misuse, the expiry of the patent for Ozempic and the resultant production of similar drugs by pharmaceutical companies also pivots the focus on the quality of the drugs produced by them. DIFFERENT WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS AND THEIR DIVERSE WAYS OF FUNCTIONING Weight loss medications are drugs designed to support weight reduction by regulating appetite, metabolism, and blood sugar levels. Several newer medications, including Mounjaro and Ozempic, were initially developed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. These drugs work by mimicking natural gut hormones such as GLP-1, which help slow stomach emptying, decrease hunger, promote a feeling of fullness, and improve blood sugar control. As these effects also contribute to reduced calorie intake, the medications are now widely used in obesity management. “Apart from semaglutide- and tirzepatide based therapies, other weight loss medications available or used in India include liraglutide and orlistat. Semaglutide is marketed under different brand names and indications. Ozempic, which contains Semaglutide, is primarily approved for type 2 diabetes, whereas Wegovy contains semaglutide specifically approved for obesity and weight management in many countries. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is another newer medication showing significant benefits in both diabetes and obesity management,” said Dr Aditya Phadte, endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Manipal Hospital. Different weight loss drugs function in diverse ways, hence there is no one-size-fits-all approach in obesity treatment. The impact of weight loss drugs depends on the patient’s weight, diabetes status, eating behaviour, associated medical conditions, affordability, and side-effect profile. Obesity is also equally complicated, like the weight loss drugs involving appetite regulation, metabolism, gut hormones, and brain signalling. “The newer injectable drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide mimic natural gut hormones released after eating. These hormones act on appetite centres in the brain to reduce hunger and cravings, help patients feel full earlier, and slow down stomach emptying so food stays in the stomach longer. As a result, people naturally consume fewer calories. Some of these medications also improve insulin function and blood sugar control, which is particularly beneficial in people with diabetes or insulin resistance. Other medications work differently. For example, GLP-1-based drugs mainly reduce appetite and improve satiety. Tirzepatide acts on two hormone pathways (GLP-1 and GIP), which may explain its greater weight loss effect in some patients. Orlistat works locally in the intestine by blocking fat absorption,” Dr Aditya explained the different functioning ways of weight loss drugs. HIGH EFFECTIVENESS AND SIDE EFFECTS “These drugs can be highly effective when combined with lifestyle changes. Clinical studies show that semaglutide can help patients lose around 10–15% of body weight, while tirzepatide has shown even greater reductions in some patients. However, effectiveness depends on several factors, including diet, physical activity, sleep, stress levels, genetics, underlying hormonal conditions, and whether the medication is taken consistently under medical supervision. Results also vary from person to person,” Dr Mithila shared. Alongside the high effectiveness of the drugs, there are side effects that range from mild to extreme. “Short-term side effects commonly include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, acidity, and reduced appetite. Most symptoms are mild and improve over time. Long-term concerns may include nutritional deficiencies, gallbladder problems, pancreatitis, muscle loss due to rapid weight reduction, and possible weight regain after stopping the medication,” said Dr Mithila. It needs to be kept in mind that these drugs are not suitable for everyone, especially people with certain thyroid conditions, severe gastrointestinal disorders, or specific medical histories
