What to know about popular weight loss drugs: Safety, cost, and effectiveness
If you’ve been thinking about drug-assisted weight loss, there’s a lot you need to know before getting started. Let’s break it down. What are these drugs, exactly?
What to know about popular weight loss drugs: Safety, cost, and effectiveness
If you’ve been thinking about drug-assisted weight loss, there’s a lot you need to know before getting started. Let’s break it down. What are these drugs, exactly?
Injectable Prescription Drugs
Originally approved for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Terzepitide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) have dramatically risen in popularity over the last couple of years as a solution for weight loss. With several celebrity endorsements and the recent FDA approval for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction, GLP-1 medications are one of the most in demand products sold in the U.S. While these prescription weight loss drugs have proven effective when combined with diet and exercise, they come with their fair share of side effects and can be very expensive if not covered by insurance.
Semaglutide:
Semaglutide is a prescription antidiabetic drug used to regulate the body’s insulin levels. Taken via injection or tablet, it works by mimicking a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, prompting the release of insulin and reducing the production of sugar. When taken at a higher dose, semaglutide has been shown to help those with obesity lose weight. Weight loss while using this drug can be attributed to a decrease in appetite and the slowing of the digestive system so people feel less hungry and eat less.
While Semaglutide has been deemed a miracle drug for many people wanting to lose weight, it can cause some very unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, bloating and gas. Additionally, once you stop using the drug, you will have a very high risk of regaining the weight and potentially worsening control over type-2 diabetes.
Tirzepatide:
Tirzepatide is another prescription antidiabetic drug that has also been FDA approved for weight loss. Taken via injection, tirzepatide is a GLP-1 and GIP activator, effective in reducing appetite and food intake. The dosage must be increased slowly over the course of several weeks to achieve the target dosage. Tirzepatide works by decreasing appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine, which may make you feel full more quickly and for a longer period of time. When paired with diet and exercise, it can be highly effective in helping you lose and maintain weight loss.
Like Semaglutide, Tirzepatide also comes with common to serious side effects including abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, acid reflux, hair loss, hypersensitivity, injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach problems, and even acute kidney damage.
GLP-1 Supplements
As an alternative to the expensive injectable prescriptions, GLP-1 supplements promote a safer, natural way to boost the body’s GLP-1, helping to reduce hunger, cravings, and overall food intake. While these supplements are much more affordable with very few side effects, they are not regulated by the FDA and don’t contain the same agonist or mimicking hormone as prescription injections. Rather, they contain extracts that boost the body’s natural production of GLP-1, leading doctors to believe they aren’t as effective.
Weight Loss at Clarity: A holistic approach
With the high cost and side effects of prescription injections, and the questionable efficacy of natural supplements, it’s difficult to know where to turn. At Clarity Wellness, we believe that a holistic approach to weight loss under the guidance of our medical staff is the key to sustainable, long-term success.
When you come in for a weight loss consultation, we’re going to look at the whole picture. We begin with ordering bloodwork, reviewing your medical history in detail, and assessing your overall candidacy. We’ll talk about your diet, overall lifestyle, and weight loss goals. If deemed an appropriate candidate, we’ll record your weight and take initial measurements. We’ll also discuss the benefits of adding our natural GLP-1 activator, Calocurb, and energy-boosting B-12 injections to your diet and exercise routine for maximum, sustainable weight loss.
Why Calocurb?
Unlike other GLP-1 supplements, Calocurb contains the active ingredient Amarasate®, a natural, plant-based extract from hops only grown in the South Island of New Zealand. Amarasate® works by stimulating the gastric tastebuds to release a natural blend of gastric peptides GLP-1, CCK, and PYY, and has been clinically shown to effectively manage appetite, overeating, cravings, and hunger. The effectiveness of Calocurb has been said to match that of Ozempic® without the harmful side effects, making it our preferred method for drug assisted weight loss.
Why B-12?
If you’re experiencing lower energy levels, brain fog, or mood changes, you may have a B-12 deficiency. Receiving B-12 shots can help restore your B-12 levels, boost your energy, mental clarity, and metabolism, and help with weight loss.
After your initial consultation, you’ll receive a one-month supply of Calocurb with instructions on how to incorporate it into your routine. You’ll return weekly for vitamin injections, and during the third visit, your provider will conduct a Weight Loss Follow-Up and adjust your plan as necessary. To ensure your safety as you progress on your weight loss journey, you’ll come back every three months for a comprehensive check-in. Our providers are with you every step of the way, helping you navigate any roadblocks or potential side effects so that you can achieve your goals and maintain your weight loss long-term.
To learn more about weight loss at Clarity Wellness, visit our website or call to schedule your consultation.
