New Weight Loss Medications Are Providing Hope for Millions

America has a weight problem, and it's having a devastating effect on the nation’s collective health. Nearly one in three Americans is overweight, and more than two out of five have obesity. From heart disease and diabetes to low testosterone and sleep apnea, carrying excess pounds can wreak havoc on your health, as well as have a serious mental and emotional impact.

As a specialist in cholesterol (lipid) management, diabetes, and low testosterone, endocrinologist Dr. Sean P. Nikravan is all too familiar with the serious complications that can come with carrying excess pounds. 

While we’ve offered weight management services for years, we’re extremely pleased to include two classes of weight loss medications — semaglutide and tirzepatide — that are giving much-needed hope to millions.

Semaglutide and tirzepatide — new approaches to an old problem

Both semaglutide and tirzepatide were introduced as a way to combat diabetes, which is a growing problem in the United States. The chronic disease affects more than 37 million people, and another 96 million have prediabetes.

The key to addressing diabetes is to manage glucose levels in the bloodstream, which the medications do by getting you to eat less.

More specifically, semaglutide — marketed under the brand names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® — is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. In plainer terms, this medication mimics the GLP-1 hormones that your digestive tract produces to:

• Make you feel full 
• Encourage insulin production
• Reduce production of glucose in your pancreas

As a result, you’re not nearly as hungry and the glucose levels in your bloodstream drop.

Medications with tirzepatide — you may recognize the brand name Mounjaro® — are also GLP-1 receptor agonists, but they contain another active ingredient: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides that lead to fullness and insulin secretion.

The benefits of taking semaglutide and tirzepatide

While semaglutide and tirzepatide are relatively new, the results so far are very impressive. For example, one longer-term study found that participants who had once-weekly semaglutide injections and made behavioral adjustments sustained a weight loss of more than 15% after 104 weeks. 

Tirzapatide offers the same impressive results. One study found that participants maintained a 20% reduction in body weight over 72 weeks. 

We’ve found great results with these medications among our patients, too. In fact, not only have we helped our patients lose weight and improve their diabetes, but we’ve also reversed some serious health issues, such as:

• Sleep apnea
• High cholesterol
• Hypertension
• Joint pain and arthritis
• Low testosterone due to obesity

Our patients also report big improvements in mental health as well as they take charge of their health through weight loss.

Doing your part to lose weight

We do want to underscore an important point. These weight loss medications may be game-changers, but they still require some effort on your part. 

The drugs can give you a leg up in helping you lose weight, but you need to maintain the weight loss by transitioning to a healthier diet and exercising. Rest assured, we address these areas through our weight management program, making sure you have the tools you need to lose the weight and keep it off.

If you’d like to learn more about semaglutide and tirzepatide and whether they might benefit your health and wellness, please contact our office in Newport Beach, California, to set up a consultation with Dr. Nikravan.