Tirzepatide and Semaglutide were originally formulated to cater to patients with type 2 diabetes. However, their popularity increased when clinical trials highlighted their effectiveness in treating obesity. Both medications contain active compounds which work to inhibit your appetite. As a result, your body experiences a calorific deficit. This causes your body to expend more stored energy resulting in reduced body fat. And, that’s how the two primarily aid in weight loss.
Still, potential patients always pose this question to us. What’s the best option for weight loss between the two? This article will highlight key comparisons between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide. We’ll also explore any side effects the medications may have and their efficacy based on current research studies.
Why Use Weight Loss Drugs?
Over 30% of U.S. adults are overweight. This exposes a large population to health risks resulting from the high amount of visceral fat in the body. Some of the issues that can crop up include:
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Joint problems
- Liver disease
Weight loss is associated with a reduced risk of suffering from these illnesses. But, the journey to losing weight isn’t as easy as it seems. For some, diet and exercise don’t yield any notable results. These methods can also be overwhelming due to the numerous restrictions they carry. This is where Semaglutide and Tirzepatide come in.
These weight loss medications alert your brain and digestive system on the need to reduce your calorie intake. They do this by increasing your satiety levels making you feel fuller for longer. This helps you achieve your weight goals faster. When patients combine these medications with lifestyle changes like better nutrition and exercise, the pounds are bound to fall off.
Understanding Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Mounjaro and is manufactured by Eli Lilly. It functions similarly to the naturally occurring incretin hormones in your body: the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The two work to increase insulin secretion and suppress your appetite respectively. Increased insulin production helps regulate your blood sugar levels. This is why the medication is beneficial to type 2 diabetes patients. Meanwhile, the reduced appetite is triggered by the brain’s response to Tirzepatide which slows down digestion. As a result, you stay fuller for longer making it effective for weight loss.
Benefits of Using Tirzepatide
There are several weight loss medications for you to explore. But, some benefits are unique to Tirzepatide including:
Dosage Administration
If you choose to get on Tirzepatide, you’ll need to use the drug only once weekly as a subcutaneous injection. This makes it easier to comply with the treatment regimen.
Efficacy
This medicine has been FDA-approved for both type 2 diabetes patients and weight loss management. Several research studies have shown its effectiveness in treating the two conditions. This is thanks to its positive effect on low hemoglobin A1C levels which are a good indicator of your blood sugar level.
Convenience
Some weight loss medications carry a lot of restrictions making the treatment overwhelming for patients. Not Tirzepatide. You can take this medication at any time. Whether you choose to do it after a meal or on an empty stomach doesn’t affect its functioning or risk your health. This makes for a freeing and overall less frustrating experience for patients.
Liver Toxicity
Most weight loss drugs are associated with liver dysfunction. However, this doesn’t apply to Tirzepatide. The active ingredient has undergone several clinical trials that suggest its inability to induce liver injury. As a result, Tirzepatide is a safe option for individuals with liver disease who choose to embark on weight loss programs.
Understanding Semaglutide
Unlike Tirzepatide, Semaglutide mimics only the GLP-1 receptor agonists in your body. Still, it’s an effective drug for weight loss because it inhibits your appetite and regulates your blood sugar level. Interestingly, this medication comes in both oral and injection forms. Some of the benefits of being on Semaglutide include:
Increased Compliance
As explained earlier, you can take semaglutide as tablets or injections. The tablet is ingested daily while the injection is taken once weekly. This gives patients the freedom to choose which regimen they want making it easy for them to stick to their treatment plan. Those with needle phobia can always opt for tablets instead.
Tried and Tested
Semaglutide has been in the market for a long time. This makes it more reliable because it has undergone more clinical trials and studies to prove its efficacy. Given the extensive information online on semaglutide, patients can make a better and more informed choice regarding the medication.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
Several research studies suggest that semaglutide reduces the risk associated with heart disease. It does this by reducing inflammation. This improves the quality of life for patients suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Weight Loss Medication Side Effects
Similar to most weight loss medications, Tirzepatide and Semaglutide treatments do carry some side effects. While Semaglutide does come in both injection and tablet form, Tirzepatide doesn’t. As a result, patients on Tirzepatide are more likely to suffer from injection-site reactions.
Both medications carry a boxed warning for thyroid carcinoma. This means that you should avoid them if you or your family have a history of the disease. Make sure to inform your doctor if you notice any abnormal swelling in your neck to avoid health complications.
Tirzepatide and Semaglutide are also associated with gastrointestinal issues. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Thankfully, clinical trials suggest that the side effects dissipate with time and can completely disappear once your body acclimatizes to the drug.
The Verdict
Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are effective in weight loss and type 2 diabetes management. However, their mechanism of action differs. Tirzepatide delivers a double weight loss action by targeting both the GLP-1 and GIP hormones. Meanwhile, Semaglutide only mimics the GLP-1 hormone. Still, its efficacy has been tried, tested, and proven making it a reliable option for weight loss. It also provides more dosage administration forms compared to Tirzepatide.
All in all, we hope that the information listed in this article will help you make a better and more informed decision regarding your weight loss journey. We also recommend speaking to our medical weight loss experts for quality support and guidance throughout your journey.
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