What to Know When Selecting a Weight Loss Medication

If you’re considering Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Trulicity for weight loss, here is some background information to help you prepare for a conversation with your health care provider.

Medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus® (semaglutide), Mounjaro® and Zepbound® (tirzepatide), and Trulicity® (dulaglutide) have seemingly been everywhere lately. These are a group of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) that are used to treat type 2 diabetes and to manage weight loss.

The active ingredients in these medications, semaglutide, tirzepatide and dulaglutide, are a synthetic form of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) hormone. These medications mimic the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, which is implicated in regulating blood sugar, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. While including a weight loss mediation as part of your weight loss plan can be effective, these medications are not a “quick fix” — they work best when they are combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Pairing GLP-1 RAs with a dietary beverage designed specifically for people using weight loss medications, such as Biocare®*, can help reduce the side effects commonly experienced with these medications.

Bottom line: If you are considering Ozempic, Mounjaro, or Trulicity for weight loss, it is important to talk with your health care provider to make sure this is the right choice for you. Here is some background information to help you prepare for your conversation.

 

Deciding to take a weight loss medication is a personal decision. While there are benefits to these medications, there are also some considerations. Like all medications, Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Trulicity have side effects and may not be tolerated by all patients. These medications can also be cost prohibitive for some patients. Pre-existing conditions may not make you a good candidate for these medications. For example, if you have a history of pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer, or gall bladder disease, your health care provider will very likely not suggest these medications.

If you and your health care provider decide a GLP-1 medication is right for you, it is important to read all the accompanying information. To optimize the benefits of these medications, it is critical to pair them with healthy lifestyle changes such as following a healthy eating plan and weekly exercise. In addition, adding a scientifically-designed dietary beverage, like Biocare®*, can help reduce side effects from the medication.

Prior to starting any weight loss program, whether it includes anti-obesity medication or not, be sure to consult with your health care provider to make sure your desired weight loss strategy is right for you.

About the Author: Dr. Dawn M. Sweet has over 20 years of experience in the field of communication. Dr. Sweet has given several invited talks to and workshops for academic and private sector audiences on the role of nonverbal and verbal communication in achieving positive outcomes and mitigating bias. Her research has been published in several top ranked peer-review journals, and it has been featured on NPR’s River to River / All Things Considered, Buzzfeed, and Science Daily. Her research has also been used to inform expert testimony.

* Wegovy® and Ozempic® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S.

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