Many people are looking to lose weight or struggle with chronic weight management. Proper weight management has many health benefits and should always be done properly. Weight loss comes down to solving an equation. Calories burned need to be more than calories consumed. Proper diet and exercise are the best way to maintain both a healthy weight but also provide overall physical benefits. A good support system is also a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. For some people, despite their best efforts, they are unable to achieve target weight goals on their own. For some people, medication may be helpful. These medications come in the form of GLP-1s.

GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1. It's a hormone that plays several important roles in the regulation of glucose metabolism and appetite

These medications work by:

• Enhancing Insulin Sensitivity: They improve how the body responds to insulin, which helps manage blood sugar levels.
• Reducing Hunger: By affecting appetite-regulating centers in the brain, these medications help decrease overall food intake.
• Improving Satiety: They increase the feeling of fullness after eating, which helps reduce calorie consumption.

Overall, GLP-1 receptor agonists represent a promising option for both diabetes management and weight loss, but their use should be carefully managed by a healthcare provider to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that has been used in helping patients with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar for many years. It is marketed by Novo Nordisk as an injection as the drug Ozempic® and as an oral tablet as Rybelsus®. The FDA recently added an additional indication to the drug, allowing it to help patients battling chronic weight management. This is the same injectable drug but marketed by Novo Nordisk as Wegovy®.

Tirzepatide is a GLP-1 agonist that has been used in helping manage their diabetes and also is a popular medication used in weight loss. The FDA has approved Zepbound for this weight loss indication. Mounjaro is used to manage diabetes and is currently approved by the FDA.

Safe dosing starts with a smaller dose and increases after 4 weeks intervals. Titrating this medication helps to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and nausea. Do not use higher doses than stated on your prescription label. It does not matter what time of day you administer the medication

The most common side effects include gastrointestinal related symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects may be more common after initiation and during dose escalation. Extreme sensitivity reactions such as rash, trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth, face, or throat should be reported to your prescriber immediately. Low blood sugar can occur and is marked by signs of dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, change in eyesight, or sweating. Discontinuing the use of the medication may be necessary should these reactions occur. Always consult your prescriber or pharmacist before stopping any medication.

​All compounded medications are available by prescription only. We offer telemedicine to bridge the gap and to get you started immediately. Consult our pharmacist and get started today!