Choosing a weight loss medication can feel confusing because there are now several different treatment types available, including GLP-1 and related injections, oral prescription medicines and medicines that reduce dietary fat absorption.

The most suitable option is not necessarily the newest medicine or the one associated with the greatest average weight loss in a clinical trial. Treatment choice should take into account your BMI, medical history, existing medicines, weight-related conditions, previous weight-management attempts and personal preferences.

At MySlimCare, you can explore both weight loss injections and weight loss tablets and capsules. The current catalogue includes treatments such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, Biolide, orlistat, Xenical, Alli, Orlos and other options.

What Types of Weight Loss Medication Are Available?

Medical weight-management treatments generally fall into several groups.

The two most relevant categories for many patients are:

Weight Loss Injections

These include medicines that act on hormone pathways involved in appetite, satiety and metabolic regulation.

Examples include:

• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
• Wegovy (semaglutide)
• liraglutide-based treatments
• other emerging combination treatments

MySlimCare’s current injection category includes Mounjaro, Wegovy, Biolide, Ozempic and CagriSema listings.

Weight Loss Tablets and Capsules

Oral options use several different mechanisms.

Some reduce absorption of dietary fat, while others influence appetite or other metabolic pathways.

MySlimCare currently lists oral treatments including:

• Orlistat 120mg
• Xenical
• Alli
• Orlos
• Mysimba
• Foundayo
• oral Wegovy
• OneVit Complete as a nutritional supplement rather than a weight-loss medicine.

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How Do Weight Loss Injections Work?

Many modern weight-loss injections affect hormones involved in appetite regulation.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite and food intake.

Medicines that activate GLP-1 receptors can help:

• increase feelings of fullness;
• reduce hunger;
• reduce food intake; and
• support a calorie deficit.

The European Medicines Agency states that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, regulates appetite by increasing fullness while reducing food intake, hunger and cravings.

Dual GIP and GLP-1 Treatments

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

Unlike medicines acting only on GLP-1 receptors, tirzepatide activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Mounjaro is authorised in the EU for weight management in eligible adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, alongside dietary and physical-activity changes. EMA reports average weight reductions of at least 15% in a major 72-week study, depending on dose.

Explore Mounjaro and other weight loss injections

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How Do Weight Loss Tablets Work?

Weight loss tablets are not all the same.

Orlistat

Orlistat works inside the digestive system rather than primarily controlling appetite.

It inhibits digestive lipase enzymes, reducing how much dietary fat is absorbed.

EMA information states that prescription-strength orlistat 120mg allows about 30% of the fat consumed in a meal to pass through the digestive system undigested.

Products containing orlistat include:

• Orlistat 120mg
• Xenical 120mg
• Alli 60mg
• Orlos 60mg

Other Oral Weight Management Medicines

Other tablets can influence appetite or metabolic pathways rather than dietary-fat absorption.

This means that comparing tablets simply on the basis of price or capsule strength can be misleading.

The correct treatment depends on how the medicine works and whether it is appropriate for your health circumstances.

Explore MySlimCare weight loss tablets and capsules

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Weight Loss Injections vs Tablets: Key Differences

Feature	Weight Loss Injections	Weight Loss Tablets
Administration	Injected under the skin	Taken by mouth
Typical frequency	Daily or weekly depending on medicine	Usually daily or with meals
Main mechanisms	Appetite and metabolic hormone pathways	Varies by medicine
Examples	Mounjaro, Wegovy, liraglutide	Orlistat, Xenical, Alli, Mysimba
Appetite reduction	Common with GLP-1-related treatments	Depends on medicine
Dietary-fat blocking	No	Orlistat does this
Prescription required	Usually	Depends on medicine and country
Suitability	Based on BMI, health and clinical assessment	Also depends on individual eligibility

Neither category is automatically better.

Some people prefer tablets because they do not want injections.

Others may prefer a weekly injectable treatment rather than remembering medication around several meals each day.

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Mounjaro for Weight Loss

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide.

It is used once weekly and is authorised in the EU for weight management in eligible adults.

EMA reports that, in a major study of more than 2,500 adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight-related condition, people taking Mounjaro alongside diet and physical activity lost at least 15% of body weight on average depending on dose, compared with around 3% with placebo.

These are average clinical-trial results and do not guarantee individual outcomes.

Mounjaro may be especially relevant for people interested in:

• once-weekly treatment;
• an appetite-regulating approach;
• a GIP/GLP-1 treatment; and
• clinically supported weight management.

Explore Mounjaro and other injections

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Wegovy for Weight Loss

Wegovy contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

It is authorised for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with:

• BMI of 30kg/m² or above, or
• BMI of 27kg/m² to below 30kg/m² with at least one weight-related health condition.

Semaglutide helps regulate appetite and can reduce hunger and food cravings.

MySlimCare currently lists Wegovy injectable treatment within its weight-loss injection category.

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Mounjaro vs Wegovy: Which Is Better?

This is one of the most common questions people ask when researching medical weight management.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are not the same medicine.

Mounjaro

Contains tirzepatide and acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors.

Wegovy

Contains semaglutide and acts primarily as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Clinical trials show substantial weight reduction with both medicines, but treatment selection should not be based only on which medicine produced the larger average percentage in a particular study.

The choice may depend on:

• medical history;
• side effects;
• existing medication;
• previous treatment response;
• contraindications;
• availability; and
• clinician assessment.

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What Is Orlistat?

Orlistat provides a very different approach from GLP-1 treatments.

Rather than targeting appetite, it acts locally inside the digestive tract.

Prescription-strength 120mg orlistat is used alongside a mildly calorie-restricted diet for adults with obesity or qualifying overweight with associated risk factors. European guidance also recommends stopping treatment after 12 weeks if at least 5% of starting body weight has not been lost.

This may appeal to people who:

• prefer an oral treatment;
• do not want injections;
• are unsuitable for certain appetite-regulating medicines; or
• prefer a non-GLP-1 mechanism.

MySlimCare currently offers several orlistat options in its tablet/capsule category.

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Orlistat vs GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication

The two approaches are fundamentally different.

Orlistat

Works in the digestive system by reducing dietary-fat absorption.

It does not primarily suppress hunger.

GLP-1 Treatments

Influence appetite-related hormone pathways.

They can help increase fullness and reduce hunger and calorie intake.

The EMA’s guidance on weight-management medicines recognises both approaches: medicines may regulate appetite through pathways such as GLP-1 signalling or reduce nutrient absorption through medicines such as orlistat.

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Are Weight Loss Injections Better Than Tablets?

Not necessarily.

The answer depends on what “better” means for the individual.

An injection may produce greater average weight loss in some clinical studies, but treatment also needs to be:

• medically appropriate;
• tolerable;
• practical;
• available;
• affordable; and
• compatible with other medicines and conditions.

For some people, an oral treatment they can use consistently may be preferable.

For others, a weekly injection may be more convenient.

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Which Weight Loss Medication Causes the Most Weight Loss?

Clinical studies of newer incretin-based treatments have demonstrated substantial average reductions in body weight.

For example, EMA reports average reductions of at least 15% depending on dose in the major Mounjaro weight-management study.

However, comparing medicines purely through headline percentages can be misleading because trials may differ in:

• patient population;
• treatment duration;
• dose;
• lifestyle programme;
• statistical analysis; and
• trial design.

The medicine associated with the largest trial number is not necessarily the best treatment for a particular patient.

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Who Can Use Prescription Weight Loss Medication?

Eligibility varies by medicine.

Many established weight-management medicines use BMI thresholds.

For example, Wegovy is authorised for adults with:

• BMI ≥30kg/m², or
• BMI ≥27kg/m² with at least one weight-related comorbidity.

Similar thresholds apply to some other medicines, although they are not identical.

Medical assessment may also consider:

• blood pressure;
• diabetes;
• cardiovascular disease;
• sleep apnoea;
• medicines;
• pregnancy;
• gastrointestinal conditions;
• previous weight-management treatment; and
• other medical factors.

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Do Weight Loss Medicines Work Without Diet and Exercise?

Weight-management medicines are not intended to replace lifestyle measures.

EMA guidance states that pharmacological treatment should be used as an adjunct to dietary measures and physical activity.

That does not mean everyone needs an extreme diet.

More sustainable approaches generally focus on:

• controlling calorie intake;
• adequate protein;
• fibre-rich foods;
• vegetables and fruit;
• manageable portion sizes;
• regular movement; and
• habits that can be maintained long term.

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Are Weight Loss Medications Safe?

All medicines can cause side effects.

The risk profile depends on the treatment.

GLP-1 and related medicines commonly cause gastrointestinal effects such as:

• nausea;
• diarrhoea;
• constipation; and
• vomiting.

EMA reports these among the most common effects with Mounjaro.

Orlistat commonly produces digestive effects linked to unabsorbed fat, such as:

• oily stools;
• bowel urgency;
• fatty discharge; and
• increased bowel movements.

Treatment choice therefore involves balancing expected benefits with potential risks and tolerability.

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Which Weight Loss Medication Is Best if I Do Not Want Injections?

People who prefer oral treatment can explore tablet and capsule options.

MySlimCare’s current weight-loss tablet category includes products such as Orlistat, Xenical, Alli, Orlos, Mysimba, Foundayo and oral Wegovy.

The mechanism differs substantially between these medicines, so an oral product should not be chosen simply because it is a tablet.

Explore Weight Loss Tablets & Capsules

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Which Weight Loss Medication Is Best if I Do Not Want Tablets?

Injectable weight-management options may be more appropriate for people comfortable using injection pens.

MySlimCare’s current injection category includes Mounjaro, Wegovy, Biolide and other products.

Explore Weight Loss Injections

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How to Choose Between Weight Loss Injections and Tablets

Rather than asking only which medicine is strongest, consider several practical questions.

Do You Prefer a Tablet or Injection?

Treatment needs to fit your routine.

Do You Struggle Primarily With Hunger?

Appetite-regulating medicines may work differently from fat-absorption blockers.

What Other Medicines Do You Take?

Interactions can affect treatment choice.

Do You Have Weight-Related Medical Conditions?

These can influence eligibility.

Have You Tried Weight Loss Medication Before?

Previous benefits or side effects may matter.

Can You Use the Treatment Consistently?

The most appropriate treatment needs to be sustainable.

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Explore Weight Management Options at MySlimCare

MySlimCare currently separates its weight-management range into dedicated categories for weight loss injections and weight loss tablets and capsules. The full MySlimCare Shop also links to erectile-dysfunction treatments and other product categories.

Weight-management treatment should be selected according to individual medical circumstances rather than advertising claims or popularity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best weight loss medication in Europe?

There is no single medicine that is best for everyone. Suitable treatment depends on BMI, medical history, existing medication, treatment goals, contraindications, availability and individual response.

Are weight loss injections better than tablets?

Not automatically. Some injections have produced substantial average weight reduction in clinical trials, while tablets may be more suitable or convenient for certain patients.

What is the difference between Mounjaro and Wegovy?

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and activates both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. Wegovy contains semaglutide and acts as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Is orlistat a GLP-1 medicine?

No. Orlistat works inside the gastrointestinal system by reducing dietary-fat absorption.

Which weight loss medicines are injections?

Examples include Mounjaro, Wegovy and liraglutide-based medicines.

Which weight loss medicines are tablets?

Oral options include orlistat products, Mysimba and other medicines depending on market availability and regulatory status.

Do weight loss medicines suppress appetite?

Some do. GLP-1 and related medicines can influence appetite and fullness. Orlistat does not primarily suppress appetite.

Do I need to diet while using weight loss medication?

Weight-management medicines are generally intended to complement dietary and lifestyle measures, not replace them.

Can I switch from tablets to injections?

Possibly, but switching weight-management treatment should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Which is stronger: Mounjaro or orlistat?

They work through entirely different mechanisms and cannot meaningfully be compared simply by dose strength.

Can I buy weight loss medicines without a consultation?

Prescription medicines require the applicable prescribing and clinical-assessment requirements to be satisfied.

How quickly do weight loss medicines work?

This varies by medicine and individual. Changes in appetite can occur before meaningful body-weight changes, which generally develop over weeks or months.

Are weight loss injections safe?

They can be appropriate for eligible patients but have potential side effects and contraindications. Clinical suitability should be assessed before treatment.

Can I take two weight loss medicines together?

Do not combine weight-management medicines unless specifically advised by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Where can I compare weight loss treatments?

You can browse MySlimCare’s weight loss injections and weight loss tablets and capsules categories.