FAQ
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss
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What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable medication which, when used in combination with diet and exercise, helps with blood sugar control in type 2 diabetics. Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 in your body to lower blood sugar levels after you've eaten a meal.
Ozempic & Wegovy are made by the same company & both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. However, Wegovy contains higher doses of it and is designed for weight loss where Ozempic has lower doses of semaglutide and was developed specifically for type 2 diabetes.
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What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a novel medication primarily used for managing type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for aiding in weight loss.
It mimics the action of two naturally occurring hormones in the body—GIP and GLP-1—which help regulate blood sugar levels and influence appetite.
Tirzepatide is currently available at our Lafayette location only.
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How does Semaglutide work?
Appetite suppression!
Your brain gets signals from different places in your body. Some of these signals are called appetite hormones that help regulate how much food you eat. Semaglutide works similarly to one of these natural appetite hormones, so you eat fewer calories, and lose weight.
Semaglutide should be used with a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity.
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How does Tirzepatide work?
Blood Sugar Control: Tirzepatide helps lower blood glucose levels by increasing insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon production in response to meals. This leads to better control of blood sugar levels, which is crucial for individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Appetite Suppression: The medication also affects the brain's regulation of appetite, helping to reduce food intake, which can lead to significant weight loss.
Weight Loss: Due to its dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors, Tirzepatide has shown promising results in clinical trials for weight loss, making it a potential treatment option for obesity.
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What is the criteria to start the weight loss program?
BMI Criteria: 30 or higher or 27 with comorbidities (Hypertension, high cholesterol etc).
BMI is calculated by weight and height.
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What are the common side effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
The common side effects of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Constipation
Effects like nausea and diarrhea being the most common.
The studies with this medication show a decrease in side effects as time goes on despite the increase in dose over time. Vomiting frequently is not normal and should be reported immediately.
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What should I expect with this program?
With Drip IV's weight loss program, you can expect to meet with your provider or nurse to discuss lifestyle modification, dietary coaching, and exercise recommendations.
During your weekly meeting, you will have your weigh-in and get your weight loss injection. Monthly, we will check your blood pressure.
For self-injecting patients, you will come in once a month for a weigh-in and blood pressure check. At this time dosing for the upcoming injections is discussed and given to patient.
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How much does Semaglutide or Tirzepatide cost?
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No consult fees!
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Semaglutide In clinic: $100/injection, which comes out to $400 for four weeks of medication.
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Semaglutide Self-injecting: $85/injection, however, the client pays for the full month $340 (4 injections) upfront.
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Tirzepatide In clinic: $150/injection, which comes out to $600 for four weeks of medication.
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Tirzepatide Self-injecting: the client pays for the full month $575 (4 injections) upfront.
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All weight loss clients receive member pricing on all services in the clinic!
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Note: we do not bill insurance
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Is weight loss medication covered by my insurance?
We do not bill insurance and if interested in trying through your primary care physician, you must have diabetes to be approved through insurance.
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Diet and exercise is recommended while taking Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
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Avoid fried and fatty foods, such as fast food and foods high in sugar as they tend to be the toughest for your body to digest and the most likely to cause nausea while taking a GLP-1 medication.
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Stick to small portions
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Drink water or unsweetened tea (clear drinks).
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Eat slowly and eat smaller meals.
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Eat bland and light foods.
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Talk to a healthcare provider if you have...
Those with a history of any of the following medical conditions should talk to a healthcare provider prior to starting Semaglutide or Tirzepatide:
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Endocrine tumors in the thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary, pancreas, or adrenal glands
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A family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
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A history of diabetic retinopathy or vision problems
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Pancreatitis
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Active gallbladder disease
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Kidney disease, kidney failure, or other kidney problems
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Gastrointestinal issues
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Thyroid cancer, thyroid tumors, or a family history of thyroid cancer
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Pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to get pregnant
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Heavy alcohol consumption
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What is the difference between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both used for managing type 2 diabetes and weight loss, but they differ in their mechanisms of action and effectiveness.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 hormone to control blood sugar and reduce appetite, leading to weight loss.
Tirzepatide, on the other hand, is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, offering a more potent effect on both blood sugar control and weight loss due to its combined action.
Clinical studies show that Tirzepatide may offer greater efficacy in both areas compared to Semaglutide, although both medications are effective options depending on individual patient needs.
Schedule a FREE CONSULT to learn more about our weight loss program.
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What is the difference between Semaglutide, Ozempic, and Wegovy?
Ozempic is the brand name for the drug Semaglutide. Ozempic is the same drug as Wegovy, but Wegovy is dosed differently for weight loss. We use a compounded form of Semaglutide.
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Can Semaglutide or Tirzepatide make you tired?
Keeping up with your daily caloric needs is important while taking this drug, and if not achieved can make you feel sluggish. Focus on taking in protein first, even if that means having to drink your calories with a meal replacement shake (just be mindful of the sugar content in your shakes).
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How long does Semaglutide or Tirzepatide take to work?
Some patients experience appetite suppression after their first injection while others have to work up in dosage to achieve this result. The goal is to slowly and consistently lose weight over the 20 week protocol as dosage is gradually increased to find the dose that works best for your body.
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How long do the side effects last?
The studies with this medication show a decrease in side effects as time goes on despite the increase in dose over time. Vomiting frequently is not normal and should be reported immediately.
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Where can I get weight loss injections?
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Why am I not losing weight on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide?
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You may need to give it more time. We want you to lose weight at a slow and steady pace
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You may need a higher dosage of medication
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You may need to make more changes to your diet
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You may need to increase your physical activity
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You may have reached a plateau
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Stress and lack of sleep may affect your results
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