Lipotropic injections vs. semaglutide for weight loss

In this article:

• Efficacy
• Do you need a prescription?
• Which is right for me?
• Can I take semaglutide and lipotropic injections together?
• The bottom line

In this article

• Efficacy
• Do you need a prescription?
• Which is right for me?
• Can I take semaglutide and lipotropic injections together?
• The bottom line

Lipotropic injections are primarily made of natural ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, that may aid in weight loss, says Dr. Hany Demian, MD, a board-certified physician in pain management and aesthetic medicine and the CEO and founder of Praesentia Health and BioSpine Institute in Fort Myers, Florida. Semaglutide injections, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, are both often prescribed for weight loss. Ozempic is FDA-approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss. While both lipotropic and semaglutide injections may be used for weight loss, medical experts say semaglutide injections have more drastic results and more research to support their effectiveness than lipotropic injections.

Lipotropic injections vs. semaglutide: Which is more effective for weight loss?

According to Dr. Rasoul Montazeri, DO, a triple board-certified physician in preventive medicine, obesity medicine, and longevity, and CEO and founder of Healthon of Irvine, California, lipotropic means the breakdown of fat. “The group of medications that are considered lipotropic are commonly known as MIC, which can actually have a combination with L-carnitine, vitamin B12, and another compound,” he explains. He adds that lipotropic injections can contain methionine, inositol, and choline. “Together, they show some level of weight loss, particularly when combined with L-carnitine.”

As mentioned, semaglutide injections can also be prescribed for weight loss due to their mechanism of action. “Semaglutide acts as a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, a hormone-like substance extracted from the gastric juices,” Dr. Demian explains. “It works by reducing appetite and hunger, slowing the release of food from the stomach so the patient feels full longer, to aid in weight loss.”

Dr. Montazeri says the effectiveness of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide for weight loss varies by person. “It really depends on the patient and their level of commitment, but as far as the approval process, the average loss was about 15%,” he explains. “However, if patients are fully committed, they can achieve much more significant results.”

In a 2022 study, researchers monitored the weight loss of 175 patients who were overweight or obese and were taking semaglutide injections. By the third month, the total body weight loss percentage was 5.9%, followed by 10.9% at six months. Based on these clinical trials, researchers concluded that semaglutide injections are effective for treating obesity or people who are overweight. 

Another 2021 study found that 2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide once per week plus lifestyle interventions (diet and physical activity) led to sustained weight loss in patients who were overweight or obese.

Dr. Demian says that lipotropic injections may have a mild effect on weight loss. Limited research has examined the effectiveness of these drugs, but L-carnitine, a type of supplement, may promote weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise.

Another ingredient within lipotropic injections, inositol, has clinical evidence that suggests it could benefit weight loss. In a 2019 study evaluating women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were overweight or obese, a combination of diet and myo-inositol (MI) and folic acid or a diet with MI and D-chiroinositol (DCI) accelerated weight loss and reduced fat mass.

Although there’s research that suggests certain ingredients of lipotropic injections could encourage weight loss, there haven’t been any studies on the effects of the medication itself, which is why some medical experts recommend semaglutide instead. “Semaglutide or GLP-1 receptor agonists should be the preference, as the data does not support lipotropic injections for significant weight loss,” Dr. Montazeri says.

Do I need a prescription for lipotropic injections vs. semaglutide? 

According to Dr. Montazeri, semaglutide and lipotropic injections both require a prescription. “It is important to note that GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, are FDA-approved for weight loss, whereas lipotropic injections are prescribed off-label,” he explains. “Both have specific medical indications and require a prescription.” However, some weight loss clinics and med spas offer lipotropic injections without a prescription, but the ingredients are unregulated.

The costs of each injectable medicine can vary depending on the brand and dosage. For example, the price of Ozempic is $1,381 per 2 mg/3 mL autoinjector pen, which is a one-month supply. Another semaglutide injection, Wegovy, costs $1,848 per 4, 2.4 mg/0.75 mL autoinjector pens, which is also a one-month supply.

There is no definite pricing for lipotropic injections, as they can vary depending on the medication’s ingredients, the frequency of injections, your health goals, and your provider. Based on online reviews, however, these shots can cost between $35 and $75 per injection on average.

Only a licensed healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician or endocrinologist, can prescribe semaglutide. Healthcare providers can only prescribe semaglutide, specifically Wegovy, if the patient has a body mass index (BMI) over 30 or a BMI of 27 or above and at least one comorbidity.

Which is right for me? 

If you’re interested in either of these weight loss drugs, here are some factors to consider to help you make the best decision for your weight loss journey and overall health and wellness.

Timeframe and commitment

While semaglutide and lipotropic injections can help you achieve your weight loss goals, it can take time and commitment to other lifestyle interventions to see any results. “I always advise my patients to decide exactly what they need to achieve in terms of their health and the timeframe for doing so,” Dr. Demian says. “These medications and weight loss regimes, whether a keto diet, carnivore diet, etc., have to be a lifestyle change. They are not a process, but rather a journey that they will embark on for a healthier lifestyle long-term.”

Safety

Not all lipotropic injections are approved by the FDA, as some contain ingredients that the federal agency hasn’t reviewed before being sold to consumers. In contrast, semaglutide, alongside similar weight loss drugs like Zepbound (tirzepatide), have gone through extensive reviews and are FDA-approved. 

Side effects

Another thing to consider with these weight loss drugs is the potential side effects. “Semaglutide may cause anxiety, bloating, blurry vision, chest tightness, chills, and constipation,” Dr. Demian says.

A few other common side effects of semaglutide include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Stomach pain
• Flatulence (gas)
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Low blood sugar levels
• Injection site reactions

There’s limited research on the possible side effects of lipotropic injectables. However, the FDA reports that non-FDA-approved lipolysis injections, which provide similar results as lipotropic injections, could cause side effects like:

• Pain
• Scars
• Infections
• Cysts
• Knots
• Skin deformities

If you experience any of these side effects while using these weight loss injections, please seek medical attention. 

Preference for alternative therapies

If you have a preference for holistic or alternative treatments, you may find lipotropic injections more appealing, as they contain natural ingredients. “Lipo injections are great for patients who don’t want to add medications or prescription drugs into their bodies and want to be as natural as possible,” Dr. Demian says. “I would choose it for more active, health-conscious patients.”

Cost 

Without insurance, semaglutide injections can be pretty expensive. Because of their high price tag, some people may opt for lipotropic injections as a cheaper option. “As far as cost goes, lipotropic injections are much more affordable as they have been on the market for a longer time,” Dr. Montazeri says.

Can I take semaglutide and lipotropic injections together?

Because both semaglutide and lipotropic injections have mechanisms that encourage weight loss, you may have concerns about drug interactions. However, Dr. Demian says that both treatments are safe to take together. “Lipo injections are natural ingredients, while semaglutide is a medicine,” he says. “Both work completely differently. In my opinion, taking any approved supplement, as long as the patient follows instructions and the recommended dose size, in conjunction with semaglutide, could be beneficial.”

The bottom line

Semaglutide and lipotropic injections are both seen as potential weight loss solutions. There’s a larger body of evidence supporting semaglutide as an effective weight loss treatment for people who are overweight and obese. In contrast, while research reveals that certain ingredients in lipotropic injections—L-carnitine and inositol—may encourage weight loss, there’s limited research on the injection itself. However, if the price of semaglutide injections is too expensive, lipotropic injections are a cheaper alternative to consider. 

To increase these treatments’ effectiveness and get the desired results, you must be willing to make certain lifestyle changes. “I tell my patients who come to me for weight loss advice that losing weight is not a process,” Dr. Demian says. “It is a journey and, therefore, a long-term lifestyle change. So, having an active lifestyle and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is the first step in adopting a positive, more nutritious lifestyle to extend longevity and reduce illness.”

If you’re interested in semaglutide, lipotropic injections, or a combination of the two, please consult with your healthcare provider first. They can help you determine whether these medications are safe and can help you develop a customized weight loss plan to help you achieve your goals.