Weight Loss Prescriptions: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What You Need to Know

When it comes to weight loss prescriptions, medications approved by health authorities to help manage body weight, often used alongside lifestyle changes. Also known as anti-obesity drugs, these aren’t quick fixes—they’re tools for people who’ve tried diet and exercise but still struggle with stubborn weight due to biology, not willpower. The truth is, most people don’t lose weight with willpower alone. Hormones, metabolism, and genetics play a bigger role than most admit. That’s why prescriptions like Wegovy, a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management in adults and semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, used off-label for weight loss and approved for type 2 diabetes have become so popular. They don’t burn fat—they help you feel full, reduce cravings, and slow digestion. But they’re not cheap. In Australia, Wegovy runs $1,300 to $1,600 a month. At Walmart, generic semaglutide costs about $90 for a four-week supply. That’s a massive difference, and it’s why people are searching for alternatives.

Then there’s metformin, a diabetes drug that often leads to modest weight loss as a side effect, commonly prescribed for prediabetes and insulin resistance. Many wonder: can metformin help you lose 30 pounds? The answer is maybe—but slowly, and only if you’re insulin resistant. It won’t work for everyone. And insurance? Ozempic, a brand-name version of semaglutide, often prescribed for diabetes but widely used for weight loss gets denied all the time. Insurers say it’s for diabetes only, even though the same drug is approved for weight loss under a different brand. You need to appeal, provide medical records, and sometimes even get your doctor to write a letter explaining why it’s medically necessary. It’s not easy, but it’s doable.

These aren’t just pills. They’re part of a bigger picture. If you’re over 55, your metabolism has slowed. Your muscle mass is dropping. You’re not losing weight because you’re lazy—you’re losing it because your body has changed. That’s why posts about calories for weight loss after 50, or how to boost metabolism older adults, matter. You can’t just eat less. You need to eat smarter: more protein, more movement, better sleep. And you need to understand what your body actually needs—not what the internet says you should do.

There’s no single best weight loss prescription. What works for one person might do nothing for another. Some need GLP-1 drugs. Others need metformin. Some need nothing but a better diet and strength training. The key is knowing your own body, your health history, and your budget. And knowing what’s real versus what’s hype. Below, you’ll find real stories, real costs, and real science on what these prescriptions can—and can’t—do for you. No fluff. No promises. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to ask your doctor next.