Is Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Right for Me?

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 agonist medications that have become increasingly popular for their ability to help people lose weight.

It is no secret that losing weight can be difficult. GLP-1 medications have taken the medical world by storm in recent years, with medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide having both been shown to help people lose a substantial amount of weight. (1)

Dr. Amit Rajguru and the team at Evolved Medical are the gold standard when it comes to hormonal-based medical treatments, constantly staying up to date with the latest advancements in the medical world. As one would expect, Dr. Rajguru and Evolved Medical have been at the forefront of the rise of GLP-1 medications, and are the best in the business at helping you determine which medication could be right for you. If you are interested in exploring the world of GLP-1 medications, Dr. Rajguru will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals and determine whether Semaglutide or Tirzeptatide is right for you.

Schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Rajguru by calling (925) 433-8444.

About Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both injectable medications that work by mimicking natural hormones in the body to regulate appetite, improve insulin sensitivity, and ultimately support weight loss. Both medications have demonstrated significant success in clinical studies, helping patients shed substantial amounts of weight while improving their metabolic health. Each medication involves a once-weekly injection and works to increase satiety.

Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed to treat diabetes but has since gained traction for its potential ability to help people lose weight. Perhaps better known as Ozempic or Wegovy, semaglutide has been proven to be a highly effective, safe agent for weight management. (2) Semaglutide helps individuals with weight loss largely because it helps regulate blood sugar, thus preventing large fluctuations in blood sugar that are commonly associated with overeating.

Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone in the body, which sends signals of satiety to the brain. People who take semaglutide have reported that it helps to “quiet down” the thoughts of hunger, therefore allowing them to focus on other tasks without being distracted by the thought of eating.

Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide, perhaps better known as Mounjaro or Zepbound, is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. By targeting two pathways, tirzepatide might be able to help some individuals lose a greater amount of weight than they would on semaglutide. Head-to-head clinical studies have indicated that individuals who took tirzepatide were significantly more likely to achieve clinically meaningful weight loss and larger reductions in body weight compared with those treated with semaglutide. (1)

Benefits

Semaglutide and tirzepatide can potentially offer life-altering benefits for individuals who have struggled with traditional weight loss methods. Both medications allow patients to not have to rely on willpower for weight loss because of their ability to help aid in weight management on a hormonal level. By regulating hormones responsible for satiety, patients can better manage their appetites and eating patterns, therefore enabling them to achieve consistent, long-term weight loss. In addition to weight loss, both medications have been shown to provide a variety of other potential benefits which include, but are not limited to, the following:

The benefits of both semaglutide and tirzepatide extend well beyond weight loss and other physical benefits. A reduction in weight as well as improvements in various health markers can lead to an overall better quality of life, which can help promote improvements in mental health.

While semaglutide and tirzepatide both offer promising results, which one is ideal for you will require an extensive medical evaluation and ultimately a professional diagnosis. Dr. Rajguru and his staff are both highly knowledgeable and personable, meaning they can undoubtedly help you determine which medication is better suited to your needs.

To explore which of these two revolutionary medications might be best for you, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Rajguru by calling (925) 433-8444.

Ideal Candidates

Semaglutide and tirzepatide can appeal to a wide variety of potential candidates, but the ideal candidates tend to be those who are overweight or obese and live a healthy lifestyle but still have not found success with weight loss. Candidates should have a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher with one or more weight-related conditions. Weight-related conditions include but are not limited to high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or a BMI of 30 or above regardless of other medical conditions.

Ideal candidates should have realistic expectations about what either medication can do for them and understand that semaglutide and tirzepatide are merely tools to help them reach their goals, not magic solutions.

Personal Consultation

When it comes to seeking medical assistance for weight loss, Dr. Rajguru and the Evolved Medical team understand that a personalized approach is essential. Evolved Medical will create a customized treatment plan for you that begins with a personal one-on-one consultation with Dr. Rajguru, where he will get to know more about you, your weight loss journey, and what your goals are. This is also a great time for you to ask any questions you might have about taking GLP-1 medications. An evaluation of the patient’s physical health also might take place to ensure a patient meets certain criteria for treatment.

To take the first step on your weight loss journey and have a custom-tailored plan created to help you achieve your goals, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Rajguru by calling (925) 433-8444.

Preparation

If deemed a good candidate for semaglutide or tirzepatide, Dr. Rajguru and the team at Evolved Medical will provide the patient with instructions on how to properly administer the medication as well as inform them about what to expect during the first few weeks of treatment. Patients need to maintain a healthy lifestyle before starting treatment, including proper diet and exercise to ensure the transition to taking these medications runs smoothly. It is also possible that Dr. Rajguru will advise you to refrain from taking certain medications or supplements you are currently taking to avoid potentially adverse interactions.

Treatment

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are both once-weekly injections that can be done relatively seamlessly from the comfort of a patient’s own home. If preferred, however, initial injections can be administered in the office by a member of the Evolved Medical team. This allows for some individuals to familiarize themselves with the injection process before attempting to do so on their own.

While most patients perform this procedure at home, regular follow-up appointments in the weeks after beginning treatment are recommended. This will help Dr. Rajguru assess your weight loss progress and make any changes to your treatment plan he feels are necessary, which might include changes to dosages or dose frequency. You will likely start at a lower dosage to familiarize yourself with the process and see how your body reacts to minimize the potential risk of negative side effects.

Recovery

Both semaglutide and tirzepatide are non-invasive treatments, meaning there is no noticeable recovery period and patients can expect to continue with their normal daily activities immediately after they administer their treatment. Some, but not all, individuals might experience gastrointestinal side effects which tend to lessen in the weeks following the beginning of treatment as the body adapts to the new medication.

Results

Results can never be guaranteed, however, patients using semaglutide and tirzepatide under the care of Dr. Rajguru, assuming that they live a healthy lifestyle, can expect to potentially see substantial weight loss results. Clinical studies have shown that patients can experience noticeable weight loss, with a large portion of individuals losing up to 15-20% of their total body weight with the help of semaglutide and tirzepatide. (1) Both medications are shown to provide results, but it is ultimately up to both you and the professional opinion of Dr. Rajguru and the team at Evolved Medical to decide which medication is best for you.

Cost of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Walnut Creek

The cost of semaglutide and tirzepatide treatment at Evolved Medical in Walnut Creek varies from person to person. An estimation of the cost of your treatment as well as any questions you might have can be discussed during your consultation.

References

1. Rodriguez PJ, Goodwin Cartwright BM, Gratzl S, et al. Semaglutide vs Tirzepatide for Weight Loss in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. JAMA Internal Medicine. Published online July 8, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.2525
2. Fornes A, Huff J, Pritchard RI, Godfrey M. Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Management: A Clinical Review. Journal of Pharmacy Technology. 2022;38(4):875512252210926. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225221092681
3. Ildiko Lingvay, Ofri Mosenzon, Brown K, et al. Systolic blood pressure reduction with tirzepatide in patients with type 2 diabetes: insights from SURPASS clinical program. 2023;22(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-023-01797-5