Weight Loss

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide 1) agonist. It mimics the actions of the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1, which is produced in the gut and released in response to food.

When blood sugar levels start to rise after someone eats, these drugs stimulate the body to secrete more insulin. The extra insulin helps lower blood sugar levels.

GLP-1s also help suppress appetite and slow the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine. As a result, you may feel full faster and longer, so you eat less.

The combination of better blood sugar levels, decreased appetite, and delayed gastric emptying results in decreased calorie intake and diminished cravings, making weight loss much easier than it is with diet and exercise alone.

In a 68 week trial, participants with a BMI of 30 or greater, or 27 with one comorbidity were given once weekly subcutaneous semaglutide, plus healthy lifestyle changes. The participants (with an average starting weight of 232 lbs) lost an average of 35 lbs (~15% of body weight), and even had some reduced cardiometabolic risk factors.

This drug is a subcutaneous injection given with an insulin needle in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It should be administered by the patient weekly, and can be taken with or without a meal. It must be stored in the refrigerator. The most common adverse effects are mild nausea or diarrhea.

Tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro) is a “cousin” of Semaglutide (Ozempic). It is a GLP-1 agonist (like Semaglutide) but also is a GIP agonist (unlike Semaglutide).

This means that in addition to suppressing appetite it may also improve how the body breaks down sugar and fat. 

Tirzepatide helps the body release insulin when sugar is high, removes excess sugar from the blood, stops the liver from making and releasing too much sugar, and slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach (thereby decreasing food intake).

Your medication will be shipped to your door.

• Semaglutide or Tirzepatide
• Needles (as a side note, if you want to use needles you already have, they must be the same exact needles or else these is a high risk for the wrong dose of the drug)
• General information on giving a subcutaneous injection (wiping top of vial and wiping skin)
• Specific information on your drug and dose
• How to store your vials
• Alcohol swabs 

The injections are once per week. It is best to pick a day of the week, and continue to give them on that same week day. (That also means you can reach us/the pharmacy on the phone during our business hours if you have any questions about your injections.)

Please put your needles in an FDA-cleared sharps container if you have one available. DO NOT throw singular needles away in your household trash.

You can purchase FDA-cleared sharps container at most drug stores/pharmacies. Visit https://safeneedledisposal.org for more information on needle disposal.

Take the missed dose ASAP. (As long as there is at least 48 hours before your NEXT dose is due)

The vial must be stored in the refrigerator.

Some patients experience mild nausea and GI upset.

YES. We need to see you/or hear from you (virtually, or in person) each month to make sure you are tolerating the drug well with little to no ill effects. This is how our medical provider will decide if we need to increase your dose- or keep it the same. This is why a new prescription is called in each month.

The average patient lost about 35 lbs, or ~15% of their body weight.

If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant within 1 year you are not a candidate for this medication.

We always recommend prioritizing protein and continuing to weight train while on your weight loss journey to minimize muscle loss.

Muscle loss, however, is inevitable with aging and substantial weight loss.
If this is a problem for you, please speak with your providers at SupportIV- they will likely recommend hormone optimization and possibly recommend peptides to improve muscle mass and maintain weight loss.