Tirzepatide is a game-changer for people struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes. It effectively regulates blood sugar levels and helps people achieve their weight loss goals.
This medication controls appetite and improves insulin sensitivity, decreasing food intake and enhancing metabolic function.
Tirzepatide offers an individualized approach to weight and blood sugar management by targeting areas of stubborn fat accumulation, such as the arms, thighs, and belly.
In keeping with our commitment to accessible solutions, we are pleased to offer tirzepatide in California, an innovative weight-loss medication that helps people regain control over their weight.
What Is Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)?
Tirzepatide is an injectable weight loss and diabetes medication that has been shown to be effective. Tirzepatide mimics the actions of two crucial hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, to help control blood sugar levels and hunger.
Tirzepatide is marketed as Mounjaro and Zepbound, both made by Eli Lilly and Company. Mounjaro and Zepbound have the same strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg per 0.5 mL.
Zepbound is FDA-approved to treat weight loss in people who are obese or overweight and who have weight-related medical issues like diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Zepbound is prescribed in combination with diet and exercise to help you lose weight and keep it off.
Tirzepatide helps people lose weight by reducing hunger and slowing the passage of food from the stomach into the small intestine. This may make people feel fuller, faster, and longer. Tirzepatide is injected subcutaneously once a week with a pen.
Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) is FDA-approved for treating people with type 2 diabetes. Like Zepbound, Mounjaro is prescribed with diet and exercise. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or with other diabetes medications, like metformin or sulfonylureas.
Mounjaro helps regulate blood sugar levels. Tirzepatide lowers blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by releasing insulin when blood sugar levels are high, limiting the amount of sugar the liver produces, and slowing the passage of food through the intestines.
How Does Tirzepatide Work?
Normally, the gut releases two natural hormones called GIP and GLP-1 when we eat. These hormones promote insulin release, reduce hunger, delay the emptying of the stomach, and increase feelings of fullness. Tirzeptide works similarly to our body’s natural hormones, GIP and GLP-1, by stimulating the GIP and GLP-1 receptors.
Tirzepatide is an agonist of the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. The mechanism of action of tirzepatide involves activating these two hormone receptors, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide).
Tirzepatide has been shown to reduce food intake, among other benefits, including:
- Weight loss
- Blood sugar control
- Inducing feelings of fullness
- Promoting a healthier lifestyle
- Controlling hunger pangs
- Lowering hemoglobin A1C levels
What’s the Difference Between Tirzepatide and Semaglutide?
Tirzepatide may sound similar to semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Like tirzepatide, semaglutide imitates the GLP-1 hormone and causes the body to produce more insulin in response to increased blood sugar levels after a meal.
Semaglutide is marketed under the brand names Ozempic for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and Wegovy for obesity and overweight. As of 2023, these medications are so well-liked that the FDA has added them to its list of pharmaceutical shortages.
Tirzepatide is more effective than semaglutide because it also mimics the GIP hormone, which affects hunger, stomach emptying, and the body’s fat-deposition process.
How Much Weight Can You Lose on Tirzepatide?
While everybody is different, tirzepatide has helped people lose at least 15% of their starting weight.
In the first weight loss study using tirzepatide, more than 2,500 participants classified as obese or overweight lost a significant amount of weight in a clinical trial. Over 72 weeks, or roughly 16.5 months, those receiving tirzepatide experienced an average weight loss of 15% to 20% of their starting body weight. This means an average of 34 and 48 lbs of weight loss.
The average weight loss for those receiving the placebo, an injection without any drug, was only 3%.
Moreover, more than one-third of patients receiving the maximum weekly dosage of tirzepatide (15 mg) also saw a loss of at least 25% of their starting body weight (more than 58 lbs).
What Are the Side Effects of Tirzepatide?
The most common side effects of tirzepatide, which affects at least 5% of patients, include abdominal pain, burping, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, tiredness, gastroesophageal reflux disease, hair loss, hypersensitivity reactions, injection site reactions, nausea, and vomiting.
While rare, tirzepatide may also have some potentially serious side effects that include severe allergic reactions, pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas), gallbladder problems like gallstones, and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Tirzepatide can also interact with other medications. So, when you book an appointment with us, ensure you tell us about all the medications you’re taking.
Tirzepatide can also cause thyroid C-cell tumors. Make sure to inform our healthcare provider if you or anybody in your family has a history of thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) syndrome. This syndrome causes the development of malignancies in the endocrine glands.
Contact us immediately if you experience hoarseness, shortness of breath, lumps or swelling in your neck, or difficulty swallowing.
During your appointment, we’ll also want to know if you are allergic to tirzepatide, or any of the ingredients in this medicine, if you have any stomach problems, such as difficulty digesting food, if you have ever had kidney or pancreas issues, or if you have a history of diabetic retinopathy.
You should not use tirzepatide if you’re pregnant, are planning to be pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you conceive while on this medication, tell your doctor.
How Should I Use Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection administered using a pre-filled, single-dose pen. We will teach you how to prepare and take the medication.
You can use the medication with or without food at any time of the day and inject it into the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm.
If you’re using tirzepatide with insulin, inject them separately. Don’t mix them or inject them next to each other. Rotate the injection sites with every injection.
Your healthcare provider will likely start you on a low dose and gradually increase it—but no more than once every four weeks.
When you begin tirzepatide treatment at NP2GO in California, our healthcare provider will prescribe a starting dose of 2.5 mg. They will increase the dose over the first four weeks by 2.5 mg increments up to a maximum of 15 mg if your body tolerates the medication.
Our team will monitor your progress and adjust the dosages as needed to help you achieve your weight loss goals and maintain overall metabolic health.
You can change the day you inject tirzepatide, but it must have been at least three days (72 hours) since your last injection. For instance, you can change your injection day from Monday to Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tirzepatide
What Should I Do if I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose of tirzepatide, take it as soon as you remember, preferably within four days after the missed dose. If it has been more than four days since your last dose, ignore the missed dose and stick to your regular dosing plan. Don’t inject two doses in three days.
Can I Take Tirzepatide With Alcohol?
While moderate alcohol intake may not directly interact with tirzepatide, alcohol can affect blood sugar levels and may worsen side effects. It’s important to consult your doctor before mixing the two. Always follow your healthcare provider’s guidance to ensure safe and effective treatment.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Using Tirzepatide?
Before using tirzepatide, inform your healthcare provider if you have any allergies to tirzepatide or its ingredients, any stomach problems like difficulty digesting food, a history of kidney or pancreas issues, or diabetic retinopathy.
Let them also know if you plan to become pregnant, are currently pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Remember to mention any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins and minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you use. This will help them determine if tirzepatide is right for you.
NP2GO Offers Tirzepatide in California
At NP2GO, we are pleased to offer tirzepatide as part of our California weight loss program. If you’re seeking a secure and effective weight loss strategy, our skilled healthcare professionals can help you achieve your weight loss goals.
We are committed to providing personalized care and support throughout your tirzepatide treatment journey. From your initial consultation to follow-up appointments, we ensure you receive comprehensive guidance tailored to your specific health needs.
Our healthcare providers will closely monitor your progress, adjust dosages as necessary, and address any concerns you may have, ensuring the best possible outcomes for your health.
Schedule a consultation to discuss how tirzepatide can be customized to meet your needs and begin your journey toward a healthier and happier life. Don’t delay—take the first step towards transformative weight loss with tirzepatide in California.