Tirzepatide For Weight Loss

Did you know that according to the CDC more than 22 million adults are suffering from severe obesity worldwide? Moreover, the obesity rates in the Lehigh Valley to include Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton Pennsylvania is around 31-38% in younger adults who are aged 20-39 years old.

Chronic obesity may be difficult to manage or treat with lifestyle and dietary changes alone, or it may take several years of struggle; but with proper medication treatment combined with lifestyle and dietary changes, chronic obesity is treatable. Dr. Monica Gavin, owner of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem PA can evaluate every patient’s need and prescribe tirzepatide or semaglutide for weight loss.

According to the research of The New England Journal of Medicine on 2539 obese adults, once-weekly treatment with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) resulted in a significant reduction of weight within four and half months compared to other treatments. So, is tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro and Zepbound, safe for weight loss, and what are some of the side effects?

This blog by Dr. Monica Gavin Diplomate of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, will discuss how tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) works for weight loss and diabetes, how you should use it, its safety, efficacy, side effects, and more. Dr. Gavin owner of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem PA, provides telemedicine consultations for any patient residing in Pennsylvania seeking weight loss medication such as Tirzepatide or Semaglutide. Call us at 610-625-300, Text us at 610-625-3002, email us at info@AzaniMedicalSpa.com or visit our website at AzaniMedicalSpa.com. For In Person consultations we serve the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and the greater Philadelphia area.

Let’s get started.

Mounjaro, or Zepbound, contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, which is an antidiabetic medication used for treating type 2 diabetes. Its active ingredient, tirzepatide is also indicated for chronic obesity.

Mounjaro is a prescription-based medication given in combination with lifestyle and dietary changes to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and to reduce weight in overweight/obese patients.

The drug is given weekly through subcutaneous injection (under the skin) for four weeks at an initial dose of 2.5 mg. After 4 weeks, the dose may be increased to 5 mg or less, depending on the patient’s condition.

Mounjaro treats type 2 diabetes by enhancing the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.

Insulin is a peptide hormone our pancreas produces to regulate blood sugar levels and utilize it to provide energy to the body. It typically prevents blood sugar levels from rising by transferring the excess sugar into the body cells to use it for energy.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition when your pancreatic cells don’t produce enough insulin or don’t respond to insulin efficiently.

Mounjaro is the first and only approved drug that works by activating GIP and GLP-1 receptors. These two receptors are released from the intestine to enhance insulin secretion from the pancreas.

GIP and GLP-1 receptors are also involved in other body functions, like:

1. Regulating food intake
2. Reducing ectopic fat distribution and preventing hyperglycemia (high sugar)
3. Promoting fat distribution

Tirzepatide activates GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptors.

GIP and GLP works by stimulating insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon production, which slows down gastric emptying, hence decreasing appetite and reducing food intake. The combined effects of tirzepatide helps in weight loss, particularly if combined with physical activity and a healthy, low-calorie diet.

Tirzepatide is an FDA-approved drug that is indicated for type 2 diabetes and in adults who are overweight, obese and have weight-related medical problems.

The FDA approves tirzepatide for the following patients to be used in addition to increased physical activity and less calorie diet:

1. Chronic weight management in adults with obesity having a BMI (body mass index) of 30 kilograms per square meter.
2. Weight management in adults who are overweight and have a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or more with at least one weight-related chronic disease, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or type 2 diabetes.

The dose of tirzepatide is typically the same for chronic obesity and diabetes type 2.

1. When starting tirzepatide, its initial dose is 2.5 mg which is weekly injected under the skin for 4 weeks.
2. After 4 weeks, the dose is increased as needed.
3. The dose of tirzepatide should not exceed 15 mg once weekly at any stage of treatment.
4. In case of a missed dose, that dose should be taken within 4 days or earlier. If 4 days have passed, the missed dose should be skipped and the next dose should be taken.

Yes, Tirzepatide is safe for weight loss in obese individuals or overweight when used as prescribed by a doctor, such as Dr. Gavin from Azani Medical Spa serving all residents of Pennsylvania via telemedicine.

Like all medications, Tirzepatide has side effects, hence it should be used if recommended by a doctor.

The drug was originally developed for treating type 2 diabetes, but it also showed to reduce weight. However, it is crucial to take Tirzepatide with a reduced caloric diet and increased physical activity for sustained effects as discontinuation of the drug may lead to weight gain.

Most side effects of Tirzepatide are related to the gastrointestinal tract, so the drug is not recommended for patients with stomach or intestinal problems.

The common side effects of Tirzepatide include:

1. Abdominal pain
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Bloating
5. Indigestion
6. Gastrointestinal disease
7. Reduced appetite
8. Low blood sugar
9. Kidney disease
10. Blurred vision
11. Fever

The side effects of Tirzepatide usually go away within a few weeks of using the drug as your body gets used to it. Some people may also experience the side effects throughout the use of Tirzepatide but goes away after the end of therapy. However, if the side effects of Tirzepatide become severe or difficult to tolerate, make sure to consult your doctor.

The actual cost of Tirzepatide varies depending on factors, like:

1. The dose prescribed
2. The duration of treatment
3. Patient’s location
4. The supplier of medicine

The cost of Tirzepatide varies depending on the dose. Since Tirzepatide reduces a patient’s appetite, the patient will save hundreds of dollars on monthly food cost, off-setting the price of the Tirzepatide. And let’s face it, with the high price of groceries, the savings can be as much as the cost of the medicine

Tirzepatide is ONLY cover by insurance for patients with documented Type 2 diabetes, and even then sometimes insurance denies the coverage. Insurance hardly ever pays for Tirzepatide for weight loss.

Various studies have shown different success rates of Tirzepatide for weight loss, like:

• A phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial in 2022 reported a 20% reduction in body weight after a treatment of 72 weeks.
• A double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study showed that over 50% of patients experienced more than 20% weight reduction, whereas the weight loss observed in the placebo group was only 3%.

Both Tirzepatide and Semaglutide are anti-diabetic medications that are also used for treating obesity. So, do these drugs have similar effects or are there any differences? In this section, we will compare both drugs in detail.

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved drug to be used in adults and children of 12 years and above. On the other hand, Tirzepatide is an FDA-approved drug whose safety and efficacy has not been yet established for use in children. It can be used only by adults with certain conditions.

Brand Names

Tirzepatide comes under the brand name of Mounjaro and Zepbound containing the active ingredient Tirzepatide. Semaglutide comes under the brand name of Wegovy, Ozempic and Rsybelus which contains the active ingredient Semaglutide.

Indications

Both drugs, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are administered through subcutaneous injection once a week for treating type 2 diabetes, obesity, or excessive weight.

Wegovy or Semaglutide is also indicated in obese or overweight adults with heart disease to prevent or reduce the risk of severe heart conditions, like stroke, heart attack, or other heart-related conditions that may cause death.

Tirzepatide and Semaglutide both drugs are indicated for weight loss in addition to reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity.

Dose

• Tirzepatide is injected under the skin at the dose of 2.5 mg once a week for 4 weeks, and then the dose is increased as needed. The maximum dose of Tirzepatide is 15 mg once a week.
• Semaglutide is injected under the skin at the dose of 0.25 mg once a week for 4 weeks, and then the dose is increased as needed. The maximum dose of Semaglutide is 2.5 mg once a week.

Mechanism of Actions

Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors and stimulates the effects of GLP-1 hormone in our body, while Tirzepatide binds to both GIP and GLP-1 receptors in the body. Tirzepatide is a dual-acting GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.

Efficacy

Regarding the efficacy, most studies have reported a greater weight loss from Tirzepatide compared to Semaglutide. However, the rates of gastrointestinal adverse effects were similar in both drugs.

Another study compared the effects of Tirzepatide at the dose of 5, 10, and 15 mg and Semaglutide at the dose of 0.5 mg as a second line treatment after metformin monotherapy in adults with diabetes type 2. All doses of Tirzepatide showed greater reduction in hbA1c, body weight and body mass index than Semaglutide.

This concludes that Tirzepatide can be more effective in reducing weight and managing type 2 diabetes than Semaglutide.

There is a worldwide shortage of branded Tirzepatide and Semaglutide, so the FDA allows special FDA approved and regulated pharmacies to compound it. Since these medications are given sub-Q they must be sterile. The pharmacy has to be 503A and 503B certified. Patients should be aware that there is much counterfeit Tirzepatide and Semaglutide that is NOT safe. Patients should obtain the medication from a reputable physician and compounding pharmacy. Dr. Monica Gavin owner of Azani Medical Spa in Bethlehem PA, provides Tirzepatide and Semaglutide from reputable compounding pharmacies.

Dr. Gavin provides telemedicine consultation for any patient that resides in Pennsylvania, as well as in person consultations as requested for any patient living in Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and surrounding greater Philadelphia area.

You can schedule your appointment by calling 610-625-3000, texting us at 610-625-3002, emailing us at info@AzaniMedicalSpa.com or visiting online at www.AzaniMedicalSpa.com

Dr. Monica Gavin and the staff at Azani Medical Spa look forward to helping patients manage their weight loss goals.

Azani Medical Spa

2551 Baglyos Circle Suite A18 Bethlehem PA 18020

23 South York Rd Hatboro PA 19040

255 S 17th St Philadelphia PA 19103