Semaglutide is a medication primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes and facilitate long-term weight loss. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists (glucagon-like peptide-1), which mimic a natural hormone in your body that regulates appetite and blood sugar.

Semaglutide influences your body in three main ways:

• Appetite Control: It targets areas of the brain that signal fullness, helping you feel satisfied sooner and reducing food cravings.
• Digestion: It slows down “gastric emptying,” meaning food stays in your stomach longer, which extends the feeling of fullness.
• Blood Sugar Regulation: For those with diabetes, it prompts the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar is high and reduces the amount of sugar produced by the liver.

• Frequency: Administered once a week via a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• Progression: Treatment usually starts at a low dose (2.5 mg) and gradually increases every four weeks to a maintenance dose (ranging from 5 mg up to 15 mg) to minimize side effects.

Users may experience gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, which typically subside as the body adjusts.

While generally safe for most patients, semaglutide carries FDA-mandated warnings. These range from rare biological concerns to complications arising from its effect on digestion.

Before starting any new medication, it’s important to discuss same with your personal physician.

• Month 1: Most people lose about 3% to 4% of their body weight (roughly 5–10 lbs) as they start on the lowest dose.
• Month 3: Average loss reaches approximately 6% to 10% of total body weight.
• Month 6: Patients typically see a 10% to 15% reduction in total body weight.
• Year 1 and beyond: Maximum weight loss of 15% to 17% is common, though some high-responders in clinical trials lost over 20%.

It’s important to note that weight loss results vary significantly based on the specific medication, dosage, and duration of treatment, alongside individual factors such as genetics, adherence to lifestyle modifications (diet/exercise), and initial body weight. Other key factors include metabolic health, such as insulin resistance or diabetes status, and medication persistence.

Tirzepatide is a prescription injectable medication that acts as a dual receptor agonist for two key metabolic hormones: GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).

It is unique as the first “twincretin” drug, meaning it mimics both hormones simultaneously to regulate blood sugar and appetite more effectively than older medications that only target one hormone, such as Semaglutide.

Tirzepatide works through several biological pathways:

• Insulin Regulation: It prompts the pancreas to release more insulin after meals.
• Sugar Control: It signals the liver to produce less glucose.
• Appetite Suppression: It targets brain receptors that control hunger and food cravings, often described as reducing “food noise”.
• Slower Digestion: It delays gastric emptying, which keeps you feeling full for a longer period after eating.

• Frequency: Administered once a week via a subcutaneous injection (under the skin) in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• Progression: Treatment usually starts at a low dose (2.5 mg) and gradually increases every four weeks to a maintenance dose (ranging from 5 mg up to 15 mg) to minimize side effects.

Users may experience gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation, which typically subside as the body adjusts.

While generally safe for most patients, tirzepatide carries FDA-mandated warnings. These range from rare biological concerns to complications arising from its effect on digestion.

Before starting any new medication, it’s important to discuss same with your personal physician.

Clinical trials and real-world data indicate that tirzepatide typically produces significant weight loss and blood sugar improvements, often exceeding those of other medications in its class.

• Month 1: Initial weight loss is typically 4–7 pounds (approx. 1.5-2.5% of body weight), often including water weight as the body adjusts. Appetite suppression begins, with many users feeling full faster and having fewer food cravings.
• Month 2: Continued, steady, and more visible weight loss occurs, with a cumulative loss of roughly 9–14 pounds. The higher 5 mg dose often brings more pronounced appetite reduction, and gastrointestinal side effects (like nausea) may peak but usually begin to subside.
• Month 3: By the end of this month, users often see a cumulative loss of 14–21 pounds (roughly 5–8% of starting weight). Noticeable physical changes are common, such as clothes fitting looser, and energy levels may improve.
• Month 4-6: Significant weight loss continues, often reaching 15–25+ pounds. By 6 months, many users see 10–15% total body weight loss. The medication is usually titrated to a maintenance dose of 10-15 mg to maximize results.
• Months 6+: Long-term, high-dose usage (up to 15 mg) has shown that many patients reach 20% or more total body weight loss (40–60+ pounds) over 16–20 months.

It’s important to note that weight loss results vary significantly based on the specific medication, dosage, and duration of treatment, alongside individual factors such as genetics, adherence to lifestyle modifications (diet/exercise), and initial body weight. Other key factors include metabolic health, such as insulin resistance or diabetes status, and medication persistence.