Tirzepatide is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (RA) that was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The drug is manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co. under the brand name Mounjaro™ and was approved in May 2022.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or GLP-1, drug that’s available under multiple brand names including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. All three of these are made by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. Ozempic and Rybelsus are indicated for Type 2 Diabetes, whereas Wegovy is specifically indicated for the treatment of overweight and obesity.
Both drugs show promise not only in improving metabolic health, reducing hemaglobin A1C (hbA1C), and assisting with weight loss—the data also shows that they may reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke and improve cardiovascular outcomes across the board.
HOW DOES TIRZEPATIDE WORK?
TIRZEPATIDE is a new, injectable medication indicated for use in patients with Type 2 Diabetes. It’s administered subcutaneously once per week with a recommended starting dosage of 2.5 mg. After 4 weeks, doses of tirzepatide may be increased in 2.5 mg increments.
TIRZEPATIDE works similarly to the other drugs in the GLP-1 family, but it contains GIP receptor agonist in addition to a GLP-1 receptor agonist. That means it works by imitating not one, but two unique incretin hormones produced by the human body.
According to a press release published by Eli Lilly, “GIP is a hormone that may complement the effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In preclinical models, GIP has been shown to decrease food intake and increase energy expenditure therefore resulting in weight reductions, and when combined with GLP-1 receptor agonism, may result in greater effects on markers of metabolic dysregulation such as body weight, glucose and lipids.”
Incretin hormones are released whenever food is consumed. Among other things, they help promote a feeling of fullness by delaying gastric emptying and activating the satiety centers in the brain. They also boost insulin production in the pancreas, and suppress glucagon production, both of which help normalize blood sugars. All of this happens in a glucose-dependent manner, which means incretin hormones—or their imitators, i.e. GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists—are unlikely to cause severe hypoglycemia.
The medications in the GLP-1 family are impactful enough that they can help lower your set point: the weight your body naturally settles at due to an interplay of genetics, biology, and environment. In other words, you’ll lose weight and keep it off for the long haul.
What about your natural incretin hormones? Studies have found that people with overweight or obesity may have a reduction in incretin effects, particularly if they have had frequent weight fluctuations due to yo-yo dieting or if you have undergone bariatric surgery and had weight regain. GLP-1 medication narrows the gap, making it easier to reach your weight loss goals and lower your metabolic set point.
HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE WORK?
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work more or less the same way—by mimicking the incretin hormones that your body naturally produces when you eat food. This means it helps regulate appetite and can lower blood glucose and A1C levels.
According to the American Diabetes Association, “Ozempic (semaglutide) injection is a once-weekly medication in the GLP-1 receptor agonist class of drugs. It is used in adults with Type 2 Diabetes, along with diet and exercise, to improve glucose. It is also used to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with Type 2 Diabetes and known heart disease. It helps to release insulin and lowers the amount of glucose produced by the liver when glucose rises at mealtime. It also slows the absorption of mealtime glucose.”
Semaglutide has been studied for over five years and is proven safe and effective both for individuals with type 2 diabetes and for those with obsity or overweight. It is a once weekly subcutaneous injection and is available in doses that begin at 0.25 mg and titrate up to 2.0 mg. The 2.0 mg Ozempic® pen is new, approved by the FDA in March 2022.
While Tirzepatide acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Semaglutide acts solely on GLP-1 receptors. This doesn’t mean that Semaglutide is an inferior medication when it comes to improving metabolic health: How well Semaglutide (or any other drug) works for your body depends on a multitude of individual factors, ranging from your genetic profile and health history to your physical predispositions, lifestyle, and preferences.
You might find, for example, that semaglutide is easier for your body to tolerate and produces fewer side effects (i.e. adverse events) than another “stronger” drug, while still helping you reach your goals at the same pace. The same goes for dosage. Some individuals find that they need to titrate up to the maximum dose of a given GLP-1 drug fairly quickly, while others are able to make progress on the same, lower dose for an extended period.
At your consultation, Dr. Eberwein will help you determine the best medication for you based on all of these individual factors and circumstances.
Why Tirzepatide and Semaglutide aren’t magic injections for weight loss
Like other drugs in the GLP-1 family, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are medications that make it easier to lose weight and stick to healthy habits—but they don't produce weight loss on their own.
All GLP-1 and dual GIP/GLP-1 drugs must be used in combination with other tactics to support metabolic health so you can sustain your body weight reductions. These tactics may include modifications to what you eat, how and when you exercise, and other healthy lifestyle changes.
At A New You, we combine GLP-1 medication with evidence-based lifestyle recommendations to help our patients maximize their success.
A New You's approach to medical weight loss is rooted in biology and puts metabolic health at the center of every effort—not just the number on the scale. Our program is designed to help you make small tweaks to your food, sleep, exercise, and lifestyle habits that are easy to sustain and personalized to your unique circumstances.
GLP-1 Medication AVAILABILITY
If you have not been diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes (not Pre-Diabetes) your insurance most likely not cover your Brand name Mounjaro or Ozempic prescription. But not to worry, we have other affordable options for you to obtain these medications.
If the doctor feels a GLP-1 medication is the right fit for you, we will walk you through all of the details on dosage, how to administer the medication, when to take it, and how it will work alongside your routine.
Please call the office to either order over the phone if you have previously taken these medications or to set up an appointment to see if you may be a candidate.
Call 305-670-2131 today
