Do Weight Loss Patches Really Work? Benefits, Risks, And Expert Advice

Weight loss patches might be gaining popularity, but if they’re something you’re considering, it’s important to first understand that they're not backed by any scientific evidence. This means they probably aren't the right treatment to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Article Summary:

• Popular treatments like Mounjaro and Wegovy are shown to deliver weight loss results. However, their price point and potential side effects mean not everyone can access them.
• While weight loss patches may seem like a clever alternative, they are not regulated in the same way as approved medical products so have not undergone the same testing.
• Even “GLP-1 patches” don’t yet contain the active ingredients found in GLP-1 injections and there is no evidence to suggest they’ll deliver the same weight loss results.

Weight Loss Patches Explained 

Not everyone starting a weight loss journey will want to try injectable or oral treatments. This might be because of their price point, side effects or the act of self-injecting medication. Weight loss patches are increasingly being marketed as a more accessible alternative.

Over‑the‑counter weight‑loss patches are not licensed medical treatments because they lack clinical evidence for weight‑loss efficacy. They’re designed to deliver herbal (or other) ingredients through the skin into the bloodstream over time, in a process known as transdermal delivery, which is similar to how a nicotine patch works. However, there is currently little to no high‑quality evidence that wearing these patches leads to meaningful weight loss, appetite suppression, or improvement in lifestyle factors, such as sleep.

Do Weight Loss Patches Work?

The ingredients inside weight loss patches are not approved medicines, and there is no credible evidence that the patches are safe or effective. Some contain ingredients like Berberine, which is a natural plant compound used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine to help with digestive problems and infections. It’s now often found marketed as a weight loss support, to help with appetite and metabolism. However, it doesn’t work in the same way as approved weight loss treatments like glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (or GLP-1 injections).

Caffeine is another ingredient widely found in weight loss patches that are described as metabolism boosters. While the physical stimulation of caffeine might be felt through a patch, there’s no evidence to suggest this has any effect on weight loss outcomes.

There have been some recent studies on microneedles patches. These work by piercing the skin and penetrating the skin barrier, to deliver certain anti-obesity drugs into your body. [1] The benefits of these, aside from being easy to use, include the possibility of delivering a lower dose of the drug than is usually required when it’s taken as an oral medication, which could potentially mean fewer or less severe side effects. [2] While they may eventually be a credible alternative to injections based on animal studies, robust phase 3 human trials are first needed to demonstrate efficacy and safety vs existing weight loss treatments.

The Safety Of Weight Loss Patches

Over-the-counter weight loss patches are not regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) like medical products are. This means they don’t undergo the same comprehensive checks and evaluations when it comes to proving their effectiveness.

Those which our clinical experts have researched appear to contain no ingredients which are proven to help support weight loss. Products named “GLP-1 weight loss patches” are misleading, as they usually contain Berberine, and don’t work in the same way as GLP-1 injections.

Using weight loss patches alongside approved GLP-1s like Wegovy or Mounjaro could also add risk or complications to your weight loss journey. This is because they’[re not consistent or regulated when it comes to potency, dosage or the presence of non GLP-1 ingredients which could interact with other medicines.

Which Weight Loss Treatments Are Considered Safe? 

Here at MedExpress we exclusively prescribe weight loss treatments that are backed by clinical trials with robust scientific evidence. We focus on treatments like glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (also known as GLP-1 injections) which could help you lose weight by reducing hunger, keeping you full longer, regulating blood sugar and controlling appetite. [3, 4]

Popular GLP-1s include Mounjaro and Wegovy. There are currently no approved GLP‑1 patches containing the same active ingredients as the injections, like semaglutide or tirzepatide. Also, the active ingredients in GLP-1 contain molecules which are too big to pass through the skin and into the bloodstream. This makes it unlikely any treatment which uses transdermal delivery will be effective.

For some people, oral medications like Orlistat and Alli are more suitable. These work in a different way, blocking some of the fat from the food you eat from being digested and instead passing it out of your body in your bowel movements. [5] Studies have shown that taking Orlistat and Alli alongside following a healthy, balanced diet could help you lose 50% more weight than dieting alone. [6] Our MedExpress clinical team is here to help you figure out which weight loss medications, if any, are right for you.

Other Ways To Lose Weight

Whether you’re ready to start taking weight loss medication, or you’re still deciding if it’s right for you, there are important lifestyle changes that you can make to help you achieve your weight loss goals. From maintaining a calorie deficit and increasing your exercise to practicing mindful eating and increasing your fibre and protein intake, you can take control of your weight loss journey. Read our expert tips here.

Want to learn more? Find out what treatment is suitable for you with MedExpress.

References

1. Calef Sánchez-Trasviña, Coronel-Meneses D, Aleyda Margarita Escobar-Fernández, Mayolo-Deloisa K. Transdermal microneedle patches as a promising drug delivery system for anti-obesogenic molecules. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology [Internet]. 2024 Jun 11;12. Available from: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2024.1380537/full
2. ‌Li Z, Fang X, Yu D. Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems and Their Use in Obesity Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021 Nov 25;22(23):12754
3. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MTD, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33567185.
4. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, Kiyosue A, Zhang S, Liu B, Bunck MC, Stefanski A; SURMOUNT-1 Investigators. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jul 21;387(3):205-216. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038. Epub 2022 Jun 4. PMID: 35658024.
5. Bansal AB, Al Khalili Y. Orlistat [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542202/
6. Jain SS, Ramanand SJ, Ramanand JB, Akat PB, Patwardhan MH, Joshi SR. Evaluation of efficacy and safety of orlistat in obese patients. Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism [Internet]. 2011;15(2):99. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3125014/