Semaglutide

What It Is Used For

• Wegovy is prescribed for chronic weight management in patients with obesity or overweight (BMI criteria apply).
• It is prescribed in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• It is especially helpful for patients with weight-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or dyslipidemia.

How It Works

• Wegovy is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, like Ozempic (approved for diabetes management), designed to regulate appetite and energy balance.
• It mimics a natural hormone that targets areas of the brain responsible for appetite control, helping reduce hunger and calorie intake.
• It also slows stomach emptying, which promotes a feeling of fullness after eating.

How It’s Taken

• Wegovy is a once-weekly injectable medication.
• It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, at the same time each week.
• Dosing starts at a lower level, 0.25 mg, and is gradually increased over 16-20 weeks to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg to minimize side effects.

Potential Side Effects

• Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, and fatigue. These often improve with continued use.
• Serious side effects: Risk of pancreatitis, gallbladder issues (e.g., gallstones), and rare thyroid tumors.
• Hypoglycemia: While uncommon in non-diabetic patients, low blood sugar may occur, especially if combined with other glucose-lowering drugs.
• Report severe symptoms like persistent nausea, severe abdominal pain, or difficulty swallowing to your healthcare provider.

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

• Medical history: Disclose any history of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, gallstones, or kidney disease to your doctor.
• Lifestyle integration: Wegovy works best when combined with a healthy, calorie-controlled diet and regular exercise.
• Missed doses: If you miss a dose and it’s been less than 5 days, take it as soon as possible. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule.
• Monitoring: Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider are essential to track progress and monitor for side effects.
• Alcohol and interactions: Inform your doctor about alcohol use and all other medications or supplements you are taking to avoid potential interactions.

Liraglutide

What It’s Used For

• Saxenda is prescribed for chronic weight management in patients with obesity or overweight (BMI criteria apply).
• It is used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• It may also be recommended for patients with weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

How It Works

• Saxenda is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, similar to Ozempic (approved for diabetes management), but specifically approved for weight management.
• It helps regulate appetite by acting on brain receptors that control hunger, leading to reduced calorie intake.
• It also slows stomach emptying, helping patients feel full for longer.

How It’s Taken

• Saxenda is a daily subcutaneous injection, administered at the same time each day.
• The injection is given in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
• Dosing starts low and is gradually, 0.6 mg, and increased over several weeks to the target dose (3.0 mg daily) to minimize side effects.

Potential Side Effects

• Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, and stomach discomfort. These typically improve as the body adjusts to the medication.
• Serious side effects: Risk of pancreatitis, gallbladder problems (e.g., gallstones), thyroid tumors (rare), and kidney issues.
• Low blood sugar: This is more likely in people using Saxenda with other diabetes medications.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe side effects like abdominal pain, swelling in the neck, or symptoms of dehydration.

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

• Medical history: Inform your doctor if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, pancreatitis, or gallbladder issues.
• Lifestyle changes: Saxenda is most effective when paired with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
• Missed doses: If a dose is missed, resume the usual schedule. Do not double doses.
• Monitoring: Regular follow-ups with your doctor are essential to assess progress, adjust dosage, and monitor for side effects.
• Drug interactions: Inform your doctor about any other medications, supplements, or herbs you’re taking to avoid potential interactions.

Tirzepatide

What It Is Used For

• Weight Management: Zepbound is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults with obesity, or some adults with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to lose excess body weight and keep the weight off. It should be used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Zepbound has received FDA approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe OSA in adults with obesity. In clinical studies, patients using Zepbound showed significant improvements in OSA symptoms.

How It Works

• Dual Hormone Action: Zepbound is a dual-acting drug that targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. By mimicking these hormones, it helps regulate appetite and food intake, leading to reduced calorie consumption.
• Slows Digestion: It slows the movement of food through the stomach, promoting a feeling of fullness after meals and reducing overall appetite.

How It’s Taken

• Administration: Zepbound is administered as a subcutaneous injection once a week. It comes in three doses: 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg. Your healthcare provider will guide you on the appropriate dosing schedule.
• Injection Sites: Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It's important to rotate injection sites with each dose to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Potential Side Effects

• Common Side Effects: Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and fatigue. These side effects often diminish as your body adjusts to the medication.
• Serious Side Effects: There is a potential risk of thyroid tumors, including cancer. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms such as a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath.

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

• Medical History: Inform your healthcare provider if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), as Zepbound is contraindicated in these conditions.
• Lifestyle Integration: For optimal results, use Zepbound in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. Your healthcare provider can offer guidance on appropriate lifestyle changes.
• Missed Doses: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible within 4 days (96 hours) after the missed dose. If more than 4 days have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose on the regularly scheduled day. Do not take two doses of Zepbound within 3 days (72 hours) of each other.

Lisdexamfetamine

What It Is Used For

• Lisdexamfetamine is a prescription medication used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults and children aged 6 and older BUT it may also be prescribed for binge eating disorder (BED) in adults.

How It Works

• Lisdexamfetamine is a prodrug, meaning it is inactive until your body metabolizes it into dextroamphetamine.
• It affects brain chemicals to help improve focus, attention, and impulse control in people with ADHD and binge eating

How It’s Taken

• Take Lisdexamfetamine exactly as prescribed, typically once daily in the morning.
• It can be taken with or without food.
• Avoid taking it in the afternoon or evening to prevent insomnia.

Potential Side Effects

• Decreased appetite
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Irritability or mood changes
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure

• Chest pain or shortness of breath
• Severe mood swings or suicidal thoughts
• Circulation issues (e.g., numbness or discoloration of fingers/toes)

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

• Dependency risk: Lisdexamfetamine is a controlled substance with potential for abuse or dependence. Take only as directed.
• Health conditions: Inform your doctor if you have heart issues, high blood pressure, mental health conditions, or a history of substance abuse.
• Interactions: Avoid mixing with alcohol or certain medications (e.g., MAO inhibitors).

Contrave

What It Is Used For

• Contrave is a prescription medication for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
• It should be used as part of a comprehensive program that includes a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.

How It Works

• Contrave is a combination of two medications:
  • Naltrexone: Typically used for alcohol and opioid dependence, it may help reduce food cravings.
  • Bupropion: Often prescribed for depression and smoking cessation, it may help reduce appetite.
• Together, they act on areas of the brain that control hunger and reward, helping to reduce cravings and overeating.

How It’s Taken

• Contrave is an oral medication taken in tablet form.
• Dosing is gradually increased over four weeks to minimize side effects. The usual target dose is two tablets twice daily (morning and evening).
• Tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed, or divided.
• Avoid taking Contrave with high-fat meals, as this can increase the risk of side effects.

Potential Side Effects

• Common side effects: Nausea, constipation, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, and trouble sleeping (insomnia).
• Serious side effects: Increased risk of seizures (especially in people with a history of seizures), elevated blood pressure, and liver problems.
• Mental health concerns: Bupropion may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, particularly in younger patients. Notify your doctor if you notice mood changes, depression, or anxiety.

Precautions and Lifestyle Tips

• Medical history: Inform your doctor if you have a history of seizures, eating disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or opioid use, as Contrave may not be suitable for you.
• Avoid opioids: Do not take Contrave if you are using opioid medications, as naltrexone can block their effects and cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Alcohol and drug interactions: Limit alcohol use and discuss all medications or supplements you are taking with your doctor to prevent interactions.
• Monitoring: Regular follow-ups are necessary to monitor weight loss progress, blood pressure, and any side effects.
• Lifestyle changes: Combining Contrave with diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications improves the likelihood of success.