Semaglutide has been used since 2017 for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. It is one of a class of medications called Glucagon like peptide agonists or GLP agonists. This hormone is made in the intestinal cells (small intestine) and helps regulate insulin and glucose as well as slow digestion and turn off your hunger center in your brain. After seeing Diabetic patients lose significant weight on this medication further studies were done which showed up to 18% loss of body weight. Most weight loss drugs rarely get up to 10% and are more likely to be in the range between 5 and 7%. The American Academy of Family Physicians has touted Semaglutide as being the most impressive weight loss medication in decades!

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The major difference between the two medications is that Semaglutide only mimics the GLP-1 hormone while Tirzepatide mimics both the GLP-1 hormone and another metabolic hormone called GIP. This receptor increases metabolism as well as decreases appetite. This combination has shown to be highly effective for weight loss and it may even provide fewer side effects than semaglutide for some patients.

HOW:

Semaglutide delays gastric emptying. Food stays in your stomach for a longer period of time. Hunger hormones, along with urges and cravings are decreased as the brain receives signals that there is already food in the stomach. As a result the individual does not even think about food. So Semaglutide makes the body and the brain believe it just received food.

WHO:
In 2021 Semaglutide was FDA approved for anyone with a BMI >30 or >27 with a least 1 comorbid condition such as hypertension, pre-diabetes, heart disease etc. People who have certain conditions such as Pancreatitis, active gallbladder issues, retinopathy (eye vessel disease) or other rare endocrine conditions may not be a candidate.