Which is better for weight loss? Tirzepatide or semaglutide? Learn more about these two drugs with this complete tirzepatide vs. semaglutide guide.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications used to help type 2 diabetes patients manage blood sugar levels. However, doctors also prescribe these medications to individuals with obesity.
Semaglutide is sold under the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Mounjaro is the brand name for the drug tirzepatide.
But when it comes to tirzepatide vs. semaglutide, which is better for weight loss? Today, we are bringing you this guide to help you understand the difference between these two weight loss drugs.
Keep reading and learn which one of these medications is right for your weight loss needs.
How Do Tirzepatide and Semaglutide Work?
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is an injectable that recently received FDA approval for obesity under the Fast Track designation. This drug may help decrease food intake while also keeping metabolism steady.
Studies on Mounjaro for weight loss have shown that nearly 75% of clinical trial participants lost at least 20% of their body weight. However, it is important to note that the participants took Mounjaro for diabetes, not exclusively for weight loss.
The drug is a GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist. Agonists are drugs that activate receptors. In this case, GIP and GLP-1 regulate gut hormones called incretins, which help our bodies know when we feel full.
Ozempic (semaglutide) is an intravenous injection that is FDA-approved to treat obesity and people with chronic weight management struggles. Like Mounjaro, this brand-name drug is a GLP-1 agonist.
In a placebo-controlled study of Ozempic, the drug helped participants lose 12.4% of their body weight. In a similar trial on people with diabetes, participants lost an average of 6.2% of their body weight.
What the Research Says About Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide
Studies show that tirzepatide may lead to more significant weight loss than semaglutide. However, there are some major limitations to these findings.
First of all, the clinical studies on these two medications did not use comparable doses. The researchers studying semaglutide used 1 mg doses. The tirzepatide studies used the maximum approved dose of 2.4 mg.
That may not seem like a big deal to you. But in research, different dose sizes can have significantly different effects. Increasing the semaglutide dose could have increased weight loss results to comparable levels.
Secondly, the results from the tirzepatide studies came from people with diabetes. The company that makes this drug is currently studying it in people with obesity. However, we will not get to see the results until later in 2023.
If you are not taking tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes, you may not see the same weight loss effects. Even if you do lose weight, you may not lose as much as the participants in the study.
With semaglutide, you do not have to worry about this problem. The manufacturers of Ozempic have completed trials on overweight people who do not have diabetes.
Finally, tirzepatide for weight loss did not receive traditional FDA approval. The Fast Track process claims to help drugs that fill unmet medical needs get to market faster. Yet, the program can also incentivize big pharma companies to cut corners.
Semaglutide went through the normal FDA approval process. Many people believe it is a more trustworthy medication because of this fact. Of course, it is up to you to decide for yourself.
Do Tirzepatide and Semaglutide Have Side Effects?
Yes, both of these weight loss medications come with the potential for side effects. Their side effects range from mild to severe.
The potential side effects of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) include nausea, low appetite, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, and stomach pain.
The rare but more serious side effects of Mounjaro are:
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling, trouble breathing, fainting, rapid heartbeat)
- Kidney failure
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Vision changes
- Gallbladder issues (stomach pain, fever, jaundice, discolored stool)
Because Ozempic works similarly to Mounjaro, they share many side effects in common. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, and constipation are also the most common side effects of Ozempic.
Ozempic (semaglutide) may also cause more serious side effects like:
- Pancreatitis
- Hypoglycemia
- Vision changes
- Kidney failure
- Allergic reactions
- Gallbladder issues
Again, it is important to understand the limitations of the Mounjaro side effects. We do not yet have studies of this drug’s side effects in people who do not have type 2 diabetes. For that reason, proceed with caution.
Semaglutide Injections at Nuvo You
Nuvo You offers semaglutide for weight loss clients in the Miami Beach, Florida area. We use low-dose semaglutide injections because they are a safe and effective way to trim your waistline. Here’s how it works.
First, you will schedule a virtual or in-person consultation. We only recommend this weight loss program to individuals with BMIs of 27 or more. BMI stands for body-mass index and is the ratio of your weight to your height.
During your consultation, make sure to ask any questions you may have. Our professionals can also give you a goal weight loss figure. Many of our patients end up losing 10–15% of their initial body weight.
Next, we will show you how to administer weekly injections. Injecting semaglutide is the most effective delivery route. It ensures your body will not break down any of the drug, so it will have a maximum impact on your weight.
That’s right — you don’t have to come into our clinic for treatment! We give you all the tools and skills needed to treat yourself. Then, you will come in for monthly consultations to track your weight loss progress.
Are You Ready to Achieve Your Weight Loss Goals?
When it comes to the difference between tirzepatide vs. semaglutide, there is no comparison. Semaglutide is the most effective traditionally FDA-approved drug for weight loss.
Searching for the most effective weight loss program in Miami Beach? Nuvo You has the semaglutide injection you need to finally get your dream body. Book your initial consultation with us today!
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