12 Aug 2025

Weight loss injections and potential muscle loss

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 12 August 2025
11 July 2024, Berlin: Wegovy" brand slimming syringes are sold in the Achat pharmacy in Mitte. Photo: Jens Kalaene/dpa (Photo by JENS KALAENE / DPA / dpa Picture-Alliance via AFP)

Wegovy is a weight loss drug that is injected weekly. Photo: JENS KALAENE

The weight loss injection, Wegovy, arrived in New Zealand - on prescription - with great fanfare only a couple of months ago. But already there are calls for the medication to come with a warning over the need for exercise - specifically resistance training - to save muscle mass. Medsafe advises the  drug, which isn't funded by Pharmac, should be accompanied by increased physical activity.

But Exercise New Zealand says that activity needs to specifically challenge muscle and bones to make sure people don't become more frail. Endrocrinologist and diabetes expert, Associate Professor, Rosemary Hall, says the chance of muscle reduction during weight loss is widely recognised. Susie is joined by Associate Professor, Rosemary Hall and the Chief Executive of  Exercise New Zealand is Richard Beddie.