Have you considered starting GLP-1 medications? GLP-1 is the new buzzword. Even in Texas, more patients are inquiring about them. But many people still don’t know what GLP-1 is.
GLP-1 medications for weight loss are evidence-based drugs that harness your body’s own natural hormones to control hunger, blood glucose, and metabolism in ways that exercise and diet can’t.
Due to its mechanism of action, it’s being used today for more than just diabetes. But does GLP-1 help with weight loss, and which one should you try?
What Is GLP-1 Medication?
GLP-1 is the abbreviation for glucagon-like peptide-1. They are also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They are injectable prescription drugs that act like your body’s natural GLP-1. You typically use it once a week.
Your natural GLP-1 only lasts a few minutes. They remain longer in your body than your hormones.
When you eat, GLP-1 is released into your bloodstream, and it has several functions. It tells your pancreas to release insulin in response to rising blood sugar. It delays the rate at which food empties from your stomach. And it goes to your brain to stimulate the receptors that make you feel satisfied.
GLP-1 is one of the appetite and blood-sugar regulating hormones in a normal metabolic process. It tells you that it’s time to stop eating.
These drugs were initially used for type 2 diabetes, but doctors soon noticed that patients taking them were losing substantial weight. But now, GLP-1 drugs are officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss, depending on the specific drug.
Does GLP-1 Work for Weight Loss?
We get asked this question the most. Does GLP-1 help with weight loss?
Yes, but you need to know how it does that. It doesn’t burn your fat; rather, it slows the rate at which your stomach empties. This makes you feel fuller after a meal. It also diminishes the hunger centres in your head. You consume fewer calories without actually feeling hungry, so you lose weight.
This medication works very well for people who have battled obesity for a long time when added to basic lifestyle factors.
But please remember they are not a substitute for food, exercise, and rest. They also need to be taken on a regular basis. When GLP-1 drugs are discontinued, appetite returns to normal, and weight is regained.
This is because obesity is a chronic disease. It’s like blood pressure-lowering medicines, which need to be continued to keep blood pressure down.
The Best GLP-1 Medications for Weight Loss Available Today
There are many different GLP-1 medications, and the best option will depend on your lab values and weight loss goals. It also has to do with whether you have Type 2 diabetes and what type of insurance you have. The medications available in the market are:
1. Semaglutide
Semaglutide is America’s most commonly used GLP-1 agent. It is marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Ozempic is given for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is used as a once-weekly injection with solid evidence for lowering blood glucose, improving the risk of heart disease, and weight loss.
Wegovy is the same molecule but at a higher concentration. The FDA approved it for chronic weight management for adults with obesity.
Both these drugs are given once weekly via subcutaneous injection into the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm in a single-use pen. It can also be self-administered at home.
Semaglutide has the longest record of safety and efficacy of all the GLP-1 drugs. It is most familiar to primary care doctors and providers in Houston and Texas.
Its side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. These especially occur at the beginning or when your dose is higher. These may improve as your body adjusts.
2. Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is the newest and most powerful drug. And it is different from all of the other GLP-1 drugs.
Whereas other GLP-1 drugs only target one receptor, tirzepatide targets two. It activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. GIP is another hormone in your gut that regulates insulin release and fat storage. It’s more potent than just activating GLP-1 receptors alone. This is what makes tirzepatide unique from others.
It comes in two brands. Mounjaro is for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is for the treatment of chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight with at least one weight-related condition.
They’re delivered once weekly via a pre-filled pen and multiple dose strengths (2.5mg to 15mg) via subcutaneous injection.
Tirzepatide is best for:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Adults with obesity
- People who have more than one metabolic disease
- Those who require a more effective medication
3. Liraglutide
Liraglutide was the first GLP-1 drug developed. It is available as Victoza and Saxenda.
Victoza is used to treat type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease. Saxenda is approved for the long-term management of obesity in adults. Saxenda is also approved for chronic weight management in adolescents (12 to 17 years of age) with obesity, which is one of the best GLP-1 agents approved for adolescents.
They’re both administered as a daily injection under the skin with a pre-filled pen into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It results in an average weight loss of 5 to 8 percent of body weight. This is significant but less than semaglutide or tirzepatide.
This type of GLP-1 is usually used as a second option today.
4. Rybelsus Oral Semaglutide
Rybelsus delivers the same medication as Ozempic in a pill form. This is the first oral GLP-1 drug approved by the FDA.
The pill contains an absorption enhancer to help semaglutide get into the bloodstream without injection. It is taken once a day and comes in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg doses.
It should be taken on an empty stomach with up to four ounces of water. No other foods or drinks should be taken for 30 minutes. These are necessary conditions for the drug to be absorbed.
Rybelsus is used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and is particularly suitable for people with diabetes who really don’t want injections.
But it does require more planning and care in taking it daily than simply injecting it once a week.
GLP-1 Side Effects
There are some side effects that are common during the first few weeks of starting the medication while your body is getting used to it.
Most side effects are gastrointestinal. Its common side effect is nausea, which peaks in the first few weeks after the first dose or a dose increase
Other common GI effects include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Less appetite
- Fatigue
- Pancreatitis very rare
GLP-1 medications should not be used in people with a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) syndrome type 2.
Cholelithiasis (gallbladder stones) also occurs more frequently with rapid weight loss and has been reported by many. That’s why it is important to start a GLP-1 medication with the help of a medical provider who knows your full medical history and can treat your side effects immediately.
Where Can I Get GLP-1 Medication in Texas?
GLP-1 medications for weight loss are prescription medications. You can only get it with a prescription from a licensed medical provider who will determine if it’s right for you.
Primary Care: It is the most convenient and cost-effective approach for most patients in Texas. Your primary care provider can assess your eligibility, monitor side effects, and integrate it into the current management of your chronic diseases. This is especially important if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, weight issues, or heart disease.
Specialists: Endocrinologists or obesity medicine specialists are the best option for more complex cases with multiple metabolic disorders or for patients who have not responded well to other approaches.
Telehealth: This can be an option, but ensure your telehealth provider is performing a comprehensive medical assessment and not just writing a prescription. Regular follow-up is essential for safe use of GLP-1.
Please be aware that compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide from unregulated sources is increasingly common these days. The FDA has expressed concerns about the purity and dose accuracy of compounded GLP-1 products. If you can, try to obtain only FDA-approved brand-name drugs from a well-known pharmacy.
Conclusion
GLP-1 medications are a game-changer in metabolic medicine today. If you have type 2 diabetes, obesity, or a weight-associated chronic disease, these drugs may be an evidence-based solution to your condition.
At Kairos, Lola, one of our integrative nurse practitioners, offers evidence-based chronic disease screening and management, as well as treatment plans to help patients achieve better health outcomes.
If you live in Texas and are interested in finding out if GLP-1 medications are suitable for your health needs, make an appointment with us! Our team of experts can guide you on any health concerns you may be struggling with. New patients are always welcome, and if visiting the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across the entire state of Texas.
