Revolutionary New Obesity Treatments: Ozempic™, Wegovy™ and Mounjaro™

Revitalize your health journey with the medical weight loss services at M. Zafar, MD, SC, serving Illinois statewide by Telehealth. Our practice offers innovative weight loss strategies, including the use of Tirzepatide (the active ingredient of Mounjaro™) and Semaglutide (the active ingredient of Ozempic™ and Wegovy™). Schedule a Telehealth appointment today using our convenient online booking tool.

In the clinical trial, patients taking Tirzepatide lost on average up to 22.5% of their body weight depending on dose level. About one in three patients lost 25% or more of their body weight. All-inclusive pricing starts at just $275/month.

 In the clinical trial, patients taking Semaglutide achieved an average 15% reduction in body weight after titrating up to the maximum target dose. One in three lost 20% or more of their body weight. All-inclusive pricing is just $275/month for all dose levels.

As an individual struggling with obesity, you have likely tried numerous diets and treatments to lose weight with limited long-term success.

For the first time, people with obesity have access to highly effective medical options that target the root causes of weight gain. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work by influencing the areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. By curbing appetite and cravings, these drugs make it easier to cut calories and establish new eating habits. While not a substitute for diet and exercise, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide may be powerful allies in the fight against obesity.

Understanding Obesity: A Complex Health Condition

Obesity is a complex chronic disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. It occurs when you take in more calories than you burn through exercise and normal daily activities. Several factors contribute to obesity, including:

• Genetics: Obesity tends to run in families and some people are more genetically prone to gain weight. However, genes are not the only factor. Environment and lifestyle also play a significant role.
• Diet: Consuming high amounts of calories, especially from sugars and carbohydrates, contributes to weight gain. Portion distortion and frequent snacking or drinking high-calorie beverages are common dietary causes of obesity.
• Sedentary lifestyle: Not getting enough physical activity or exercise is a leading cause of obesity. Most adults do not get the recommended amount of exercise each week to maintain a healthy weight.
• Health issues: Certain medical problems like hypothyroidism or polycystic ovary syndrome can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Some medications also have weight gain as a side effect.
• Psychological factors: Emotional issues such as stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression can lead to overeating and weight gain in some individuals. Using food as a source of comfort or reward can be a learned behavior and habit that contributes to obesity.

Obesity requires professional medical treatment and long-term lifestyle changes to achieve and maintain weight loss. New treatments like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide show promise for effective and sustained weight loss when combined with diet and exercise. These innovative obesity treatments may help revolutionize how we approach and manage this complex disease.

How Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Work for Weight Loss

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are revolutionary new obesity treatments that work by mimicking the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone produced in the intestines that helps regulate appetite and food intake.

These GLP-1 receptor agonists activate receptors in the brain that regulate appetite and satiety. By binding to and activating these receptors, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide can decrease appetite and calorie intake, which leads to weight loss over time.

Specifically, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls hunger and satiety. They activate pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons, which reduce appetite, and inhibit neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, which increase appetite and food-seeking behavior.

The end result is that patients experience decreased hunger, earlier satiety, and reduced food cravings. This makes it easier to cut calories and lose excess pounds. In clinical trials, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide led to a weight loss of up to 15-22% of total body weight, which can significantly improve obesity-related health risks like diabetes, heart disease, and other complications.

The most common side effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting due to their effects on appetite and digestion. However, these side effects are usually transient and mild to moderate in severity for most people. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide provide a much-needed medical option for chronic weight management in people with obesity. When combined with lifestyle changes, they are poised to help many patients achieve long-term weight loss success.

Key Differences Between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are two of the most promising new treatments for obesity. While they utilize similar mechanisms of action, there are some key differences to be aware of:

Mechanism of Action

Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide work by mimicking the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone produced in the intestines that stimulates insulin release, inhibits glucagon secretion and slows gastric emptying. This results in decreased appetite and food intake.

• Semaglutide is an analog of human GLP-1, while Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1/glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist, meaning it activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Tirzepatide may have additional benefits on metabolism and fat storage through its effects on GIP.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of both drugs include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting due to their effects on gastric motility and appetite. These side effects are usually transient but can be mitigated by slowly titrating to the maintenance dose.

Effectiveness of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

 Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist administered via subcutaneous injection. It works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1, a hormone produced in the intestines that stimulates insulin secretion, reduces appetite, and slows stomach emptying. In clinical trials, semaglutide led to an average weight loss of up to 15% over 68 weeks. 

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, meaning it activates both gastric inhibitory polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors in the body. It is administered via subcutaneous injection. Tirzepatide significantly reduces appetite and calorie intake while also improving blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity. In clinical studies, Tirzepatide yielded an average weight loss of up to 22.5% over 72 weeks.

Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide have demonstrated superior weight loss and health benefits compared to diet and exercise alone. They represent promising new treatment options for chronic weight management in obese and overweight adults who have struggled to lose weight through traditional methods.

Conclusion

 As you have read, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are revolutionary new treatments for obesity that provide hope where other options have failed.

If you’re obese or overweight or if you have a weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, you could qualify for the use of Semaglutide or Tirzepatide. 

Dr. Zafar and our team can evaluate you to see if you’re a good candidate for medical weight loss.

If you’re ready to enhance your overall health and well-being, schedule a Telehealth appointment with us today using our online booking tool.