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Different Weight Management Treatments in Women: Contrave, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy

Different Weight Management Treatments in Women: Contrave, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy

By support@getgambit.caJune 6, 2025No Comments

For many women, weight management is not just about numbers on a scale. It’s about looking healthy, having more energy, and building more confidence in your looks.

While diet and exercise are essential, they are often not sufficient on their own. That’s where weight management treatments like Contrave, Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy come in. These treatments have unique benefits that make them more effective.

In this article, we’ll explore more about these options, what they are, how they work, and the benefits of using them.

How do Weight Management Medications Work?

Some of these medications focus on controlling appetite—they reduce cravings and help you feel fuller for a longer period of time, making it easier to resist those tempting snacks.

Others increase your metabolism rate, thereby helping your body burn more calories. Others keep your blood sugar levels steady, so you don’t end up overeating.

There are also medications that affect the brain, changing how we feel about hunger and satisfaction, which can lead to healthier eating habits.

Who can Benefit from Weight Management Medications?

These treatments are usually meant for people who are dealing with health issues related to being overweight or obese.

Doctors often look at Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if someone is eligible for weight management medication. Essentially, there are two common scenarios in which medication for weight management would be recommended by your doctor:

  • if you’re an adult with a BMI of 30 or higher, or
  • If your BMI is 27 or above and you have weight-related health problems like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

However, these medications aren’t for everyone. Many women lose weight by making lifestyle changes, like adjusting their diet (more fruits, vegetables, whole grain) and staying active through regular exercise—these lifestyle modifications can make a huge difference.

Types of Weight Management Medications for women

There are four common weight loss medications namely : Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic and Contrave.

Contrave (Bupropion & Naltrexone)

Contrave is a weight-loss medication for women who are overweight or obese. It is specifically formulated to help reduce hunger and cravings for food, making it easier to lose weight and maintain the results.

How does Contrave Help with Weight Loss?

Contrave is a unique weight management medication that combines two common drugs: naltrexone and bupropion.

  • Naltrexone is primarily used to treat alcohol and opioid dependence
  • Bupropion is an antidepressant that can also aid in smoking cessation

Together, they work to reduce hunger and cravings by acting on the brain’s reward system, making it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan.

Common Side Effects of Contrave

Although Contrave works well for many women, some may experience side effects such as

  • Nausea,
  • Constipation,
  • Headache,
  • Dizziness, and
  • Dry mouth.

It’s essential to keep in touch with your healthcare provider about any side effects you experience so they can manage them or adjust the treatment if necessary.

Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

 Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a diabetes medication that helps control blood sugar levels.

How does Mounjaro work

Mounjaro, or tirzepatide, works by targeting two hormones that help control blood sugar and production of insulin. It helps keep your blood sugar steady while also making you feel less hungry.

Benefits of Mounjaro

Studies show that Mounjaro can help people with obesity lose weight. In a study with over 2,500 adults with obesity, people taking a 5-milligram dose of Mounjaro for about a year and a half lost an average of 15% of their body weight. Higher doses led to even greater weight loss.

Common Side Effects of Mounjaro

Just like most medications, Mounjaro can have some side effects like nausea and diarrhoea.

The good news is that these usually get better with time, but if they don’t, it’s worth checking in with your doctor. 

Wegovy (Semaglutide)

Wegovy is a prescription medication formulated for weight loss and weight management in adults who have obesity or who are overweight and have weight-related health issues.

How does Wegovy Work for Weight Loss?

Wegovy works by copying the actions of a natural hormone, GLP-1, that helps control your appetite. By activating the same signals, Wegovy can help you feel less hungry, thereby prompting you to eat less. It also slows down how quickly food moves through your stomach, so you stay full longer, which can lead to weight loss over time.

Benefits of Wegovy for Weight Loss

In one major study, Wegovy proved to be the most effective obesity medication because people with obesity who used Wegovy, alongside lifestyle changes, lost about 15% of their body weight over a period of 68 weeks.

Side Effects of Wegovy

Although Wegovy is beneficial and may be recommended by your healthcare provider, some side effects of Wegovy include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Acid reflux
  • Headache
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness

Ozempic

Ozempic is an injectable medication that contains semaglutide, basically for people with type 2 diabetes. Although Ozempic is officially approved only for diabetes management, it has gained attention for another effect—weight loss. Some doctors prescribe Ozempic “off-label” to help with weight management, since it shares the same active ingredient (Semaglutide) as Wegovy.

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic works by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).

This hormone has several functions that support blood sugar control:

  • It stimulates the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high, reducing the amount of sugar produced by the liver, and
  • Slows down the rate at which food leaves the stomach.

The delay in getting hungry again helps you feel fuller for longer, which can reduce appetite and lead to gradual weight loss. This is also the mechanism Wegovy uses for weight loss, although it is administered in a higher dose.

Benefits of Ozempic?

The benefits of Ozempic are primarily tied to its role in managing type 2 diabetes and improving heart health. It helps:

  1. Lower blood sugar:
  2. Reduce risk of heart failure :
  3. Aid in weight loss (Off-Label):

Please note: Prescribing a medication “off-label” is common and simply means that doctors can use approved medications for other treatments if they think it will help.

What are the Side Effects?

Since Ozempic and Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, they share similar side effects, although these may be more pronounced with Wegovy due to its higher dosage. Common side effects include:

  • Nausea,
  • Vomiting,
  • Diarrhoea,
  • Constipation,
  • Headache,
  • Fatigue,
  • Injection Site Reactions: Mild redness or swelling can sometimes occur at the injection site.

Most side effects improve over time, especially as you increase the dose gradually. If you’re prescribed Ozempic off-label for weight loss, you may notice a gentler effect on side effects due to the lower dose, but always consult with your healthcare provider on any side effects you experience.

Are you still wondering which one is better? Below is a cheat sheet for your reference:

Brand Name CONTRAVE MOUNJARO WEGOVY OZEMPIC
Active ingredient Bupropion & Naltrexone Tirzepatide Semaglutide Semaglutide
Mode of Administration Oral tablet Injection under the skin Injection under the skin Injection under the skin
Dosage 8mg(Naltrexone

90mg(Bupropion – varies per patient and week

 5mg or 10mg or 15mg once per week Starts at 0.25mg weekly and increases to 2.4mg weekly Starts at 0.25mg weekly and increases to 1mg weekly as prescribed
Length of treatment Long term – might stop if no changes after 12 weeks Ongoing

Measured based on response to weight and blood sugar

 Long term Long term
FDA approved for weight loss Yes No, but used off label for weight loss. Yes Approved for diabetes, prescribed as ‘’off label’ for weight loss due to active ingredient Semaglutide 

CONCLUSION

Choosing the right weight management medication can be overwhelming, especially with options like Contrave, Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic, each offering something different.

While Wegovy and Contrave are formulated specifically for weight loss, Mounjaro and Ozempic—though originally intended for diabetes—are helping many people reach their weight goals too. The best choice actually depends on your health needs and the guidance of a trusted healthcare provider.

 

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