If you’ve ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, you know it’s never quite as simple as the antiquated “calories in, calories out” advice. In reality, your energy level, appetite, stressors, hormones, metabolism, and other factors influence how easy or difficult it is to lose excess body fat. When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough, semaglutide injections overseen by a medical professional could help you achieve a healthy weight.
Sold under the brand names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®, semaglutide is a prescription medication for type 2 diabetes and long-term weight management. Available in injectable and tablet form, this drug works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which the body naturally produces to regulate hunger and blood sugar levels.
Semaglutide helps your body produce more insulin when your blood sugar levels are too high. It also works in the GI tract by slowing gastric motility, which means food stays in your stomach longer and prolongs the feeling of fullness. For that reason, it can be a great weight loss aid.
Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 medication similar to semaglutide. Mounjaro is the brand name for tirzepatide and has been FDA approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes. It has become very popular for use in weight loss due to how it affects certain processes in our bodies.
These medications were developed as an antidiabetic medication, but you don’t need to have type 2 diabetes to experience the benefits. A randomized controlled trial from 2021 found semaglutide was an effective weight loss drug for overweight and obese non-diabetic adults. It may also lower your risk of obesity-related conditions like heart attack and stroke.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide can be administered subcutaneously or orally. The dose will vary depending on the brand and the individual. Typically, adults taking Wegovy and Zepbound for chronic weight management inject 2.4 mg once weekly. However, adjustments can be made as needed under medical guidance.
While the following recommendations may be helpful, you should ask your provider for specific instructions. If you miss an Ozempic injection, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, you should skip the dose if it’s been more than five days since you missed the injection. If you’re using Wegovy, you can take the missed dose as soon as possible as long as your next dose is more than two days away. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. You shouldn’t double your injections to make up for a missed one.
Missing a dose of Rybelsus works differently. Rather than taking the missed dose as soon as possible, you should skip it and take the next tablet when you usually would. If you’re consistently missing oral doses of semaglutide, it could help to switch to an injectable form.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are safe and effective medications for many people struggling with weight loss or type 2 diabetes management. However, potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation, or burping.
In rare cases, semaglutide and tirzepatide can cause serious side effects, some of which may require medical attention. That said, adverse reactions are usually limited to mild gastrointestinal upset.
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both injectable medications used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss but have key differences:
Mechanism: Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist; tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GLP agonist.
Efficacy: Tirzepatide lowers A1c more (2.0-2.4% vs. 1.5-1.8%) and leads to greater weight loss (15-22% vs. 10-15%).
Side Effects: Although both medications have similar side effects, tirzepatide is typically tolerated better.
Contact Us About Medical Weight Loss
If you’re interested in semaglutide or tirzepatide to help with weight loss, contact our office. Our provider can determine if it’s a good match for you.