For many young adults in India, the fastest route to shedding kilograms isn’t the gym—it’s a pill. Once prescribed for type 2 diabetes, drugs such as Rybelsus, Ozempic and Mounjaro are now at the centre of India’s growing weight-loss market.
When Anoop Kumar, a 27-year-old marketing professional in Delhi, started using Rybelsus, he thought it was just another step in his weight-loss journey. “I started in June and in 2 months I lost 10 kgs,” he says. “Then I stopped the dosage and regained the weight back by November, before restarting it in December again.
The side effects experienced by Kumar included gastric issues, high acidity and even experienced a burning sensation in his throat lining. While the risks were listed in the box, it still felt like the fastest way to get results.
My relationship with food changed the most, he says. “My appetite was curbed and food stopped being comfort, “ he says.
Stories like Kumar’s are becoming increasingly common. These drugs contain semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are GLP-1 receptor agonists that reduce sugar levels and appetite, say experts. The appeal of these drugs lies in the rapid weight loss they bring about which even exercise and diet fail to deliver making them popular with young adults.
Anika Mehta, 32, who had been trying to lose weight for years says, "Both psychological and physical factors were involved ." A software engineer by profession, she says “seeing transformations on social media made me feel behind, as if everyone else had achieved their ideal body while I was unable to do so. When I heard about these drugs, it seemed like a long-term solution to my weight loss journey.”
Why these drugs work
Dr Saket Kant, an endocrinologist at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi in a conversation with TMS, calls semaglutide and tirzepatide “game-changer drugs.” “Older medications, like Orlistat, could only reduce about 5 percent of body weight over several months,” he says. “Semaglutide (Ozempic and Rybelsus) can achieve around 16 per cent weight loss, and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) can go over 20 per cent, especially when combined with diet and exercise.”
These medicines primarily act on the brain's appetite centres and gut hormones while also slowing gastric emptying thereby reducing craving for high-calorie food. According to experts, the other benefits extend to improvements in health, fatty liver disease, kidney function, sleep apnea and mental well-being.
But these drugs are not a magic cure. “Screening and patient selection are critical,” Dr. Kant says. Patients with histories of pancreatitis, high triglycerides, thyroid cancer risk may face serious complications. Side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and acidity are common, making counselling on small, frequent, non-spicy meals and hydration essential.
Dr Kant's patients are mostly from the age range 25-45 as they are in the peak of their life and career and hence focusing more on their appearance. Women make 70 per cent of his patients while the remainder are men.
The psychological dimension
Self perception and social pressure is another major factor driving the surge in popularity of these drugs. Dr. Parul Adlakha, a senior clinical psychologist (RCI licensed) tells TMS that low self-esteem,poor body image (dysmorphia) and anxiety are major drivers.” Repeated failed attempts at dieting and exercise make these drugs seem like quick fixes,” she explains. Social media intensifies this pressure by constantly promoting ideal bodies and linking appearance to self worth and success.
This leads to a psychological dependence. “Some individuals fear regaining weight and believe medication is the only way to control their bodies,” Dr Adlakha adds. “Even without chemical addiction, eating without the drug can trigger anxiety. Weight-loss medications alone won't solve the problem if core underlying body image issues aren't addressed,” she says.
Powerful results and pitfalls
Business standard reported a jump of nearly 115% on the sale of GLP- 1 wieght loss drugs compared to previous years, as drugs such as Mounjaro and Semaglutide and its variants gained traction.
The over-the-counter sale of these in pharmacies has heightened the risk of misuse and stands in direct violation of regulations.
Both Dr Kant and Dr Adlakha emphasize the need for medical supervision for the consumption of these drugs, preferably with guidance from an endocrinologist or physicians trained in obesity management while warning against off-label use or self medication.
With the patent expiry for Semagluties expected in the coming months, the drugs - currently priced between Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,000 - are expected to become cheaper allowing generics to enter the market and widen access.
But Dr Kant cautions: “ The drugs are potent and provide optimal results only when combined with proper diet and exercise and mental health support.”
While weight-loss drugs appear to be a boon for adults navigating the pressures of modern day ideals. Weight loss drugs are not mere pills, they are a conflux of biology, psychology and social influence. The story of Kumar and Mehta is more than just weight loss, it is about how medicine, mindset and media converge in the pursuit of the “perfect” body.
The story of Kumar and Mehta is more than just weight loss ; it reflects how biology, psychology and social influcences shape modern body image.