Weight Loss Medications
breaking it all down
IT MUST BE KISMET MEDICAL + AESTHETICS
Medical Aesthetics | Clinical Dermatology | Injectables | Microneedling | PDO Threads | Womens Health | Weight Loss | WELLNESS
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Weight Loss Medications…breaking it all down
I have been a family physician for over 25 years and never have I seen more revolutionary treatment options to treat both diabetes and obesity than in the last few years. I have prescribed these groups of medications, called GLP1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) agonists, for many years for diabetes and for weight loss and am very familiar with their indications, potential side effects and contraindications. These medications have become “in vogue” mainly because they work, people are eager to get them and therefore are unfortunately getting them from unreliable sources or untrained providers. This is why I believe we are seeing an uptick in “news stories” of these medications going wrong. I do heed a word of caution in getting these medications from untrained prescribers. Please don’t get your weight loss medications from a chiropractor, dentist or an online doctor who is not doing a comprehensive consultation!
So, what do these medications do? First and foremost, they work for weight loss by decreasing your appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full more quickly and for a longer period. They also work at the insulin level by lowering insulin resistance (the main obesity hormone) and lowering the amount of sugar the liver makes. Unlike some diabetes medications, however, you should not experience hypoglycemia. They are not a magic bullet but in combination with diet and exercise, we see amazing results.
GLP-1 helps control appetite and calorie intake, and GIP is thought to contribute to regulating food intake as well. Semaglutide works on GLP1. Tirzepatide is both a GLP1 and GIP receptor agonist. Semaglutide is commercially available as a prescription under the brand names Ozempic® and Wegovy®.They are the same medication but branded with different FDA indications (diabetes and obesity respectively). Similarly, tirzepatide is branded as Mounjaro™ (for diabetes) and Zepbound™ (for obesity). 
Both semaglutide and tirzepatide show amazing weight loss benefits; however though due to tirzepatide’s dual receptor mechanism, it shows improved weight loss potential in studies.
Q: What are the most common side-effects with semaglutide or tirzepatide? A: Possible side-effects include but are not limited to: abdominal pain, burping, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hair loss, hypersensitivity reactions, injection site reactions, nausea, and vomiting. However, please be sure you are being followed and monitored closely by a licensed medical practitioner educated and experienced in these medications.
Q: How do I get semaglutide or tirzepatide? A: Most insurance companies cover prescription semaglutide and tirzepatide for individuals who have a body mass index (BMI) >30 or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or cardiovascular disease). Some employers “opt-out” of covering obesity drugs or treatment so be sure to check your coverage.
Q: Who should NOT take semaglutide or tirzepatide? A: If you have a family history or personal history of certain types of thyroid cancer or a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) syndrome these medications are considered contraindicated. Additionally, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should not take semaglutide or tirzepatide. Currently, these medications do not treat Type 1 diabetes. This is why it is crucial to consult with a licensed health care prescriber before starting these medications.
Q: How much weight is lost on Zepbound™? A: Patients on Zepbound™ (tirzepatide) 5mg weekly lost 35.5 lb on average after 72 weeks. For Zepbound™’s 10mg weekly dose, the average weight loss was 48.9 lb, and for Zepbound™’s 15mg weekly dose average weight loss was 52.0 lb over 72 weeks. Patients who used a placebo lost 5.3 lb over the 72 weeks. These results are from the clinical trial SURMOUNT-1, NCT04184622. Individual results may vary.
Q: How is semaglutide or tirzepatide taken? A: Both drugs can be taken as a once-weekly injection given under the skin (subcutaneous) using a pre-filled single-dose pen. Semaglutide is also available in a once daily tablet formulation.
Q: If my insurance does not cover these medications what are my options? A: Besides semaglutide and tirzepatide, there are many other drugs used for weight loss. These include phentermine, bupropion, topiramate, naltrexone, orlistat and liraglutide. However, alternative medications all depend on your other medical conditions and again why a comprehensive consultation is crucial. If insurance won’t cover brand named semaglutide or tirzepatide, you can receive treatment in our clinic with compounded medications.
It Must Be Kismet Medical + Aesthetics, Inc.
3877 Shawn Way #168, Loomis, CA 95650
(916)250-1010 Fax (800)905-5787