Introducing Zepbound: A new GLP-1 Medication for those suffering from chronic obesity.
In an exciting development for the fight against obesity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved Eli Lilly and Company’s groundbreaking new treatment: Zepbound (tirzepatide). Zepbound is designed to help adults with obesity or those who are overweight and have weight-related medical problems, such as hypertension, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease, to lose weight effectively and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
How Does Zepbound Work?
Zepbound is a unique injectable medicine that activates two important hormone receptors, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). By targeting these receptors, Zepbound addresses the underlying causes of excess weight, making it an innovative approach to treating obesity.
What’s the difference between Zepbound, Wegovy, and Ozempic?
Tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Zepbound) and semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) are both medications in the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, but they have some differences.
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 receptor agonist. It is designed to address glucose and weight management, making it unique among GLP-1 agonists.
Semaglutide, on the other hand, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that stimulates the GLP-1 receptors to reduce blood sugar levels and induce weight loss.
The key distinction lies in Tirzepatide’s dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors, which offers a more comprehensive approach to metabolic control. However, each medication may interact with patients differently, and your Alaska Premier Health provider will help you understand which option may be best for you.
Clinical Trial Results: A Game-Changer for Weight Loss
The FDA approved Zepbound based on results from the phase 3 SURMOUNT-1 and SURMOUNT-2 trials. In these studies, adults with obesity or excess weight and weight-related medical problems experienced significant weight loss when using Zepbound in conjunction with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
At Alaska Premier Health, we can prescribe this medication for appropriate patients and combine it with our provider-designed meal programs to maximize success and create the necessary habits to see life-long weight management success.
The Alaska Premier Health Approach: Combining Medication with Guided Lifestyle Changes
Obesity is a chronic disease that can be associated with severe health complications such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It’s often also a disease that can feel overwhelming to manage and treat without medical support. At Alaska Premier Health, we understand the complexities of obesity and are dedicated to helping our patients navigate their weight loss journey.
Our providers are here to help you find the right path for your goals, offering guidance to make informed health decisions. While medications, such as Zepbound, can be exciting options for those struggling, that doesn’t mean they’re the right choice for everyone.
Our clinic emphasizes a holistic approach, combining medication, when suitable, with long-term lifestyle changes. Working with a specialized weight loss clinic can help you understand your medication options and build a plan based on your specific needs. Our providers understand how to correctly integrate tools such a Zepbound and other GLP-1s with various approaches for maximum effectiveness.
Will my insurance cover this?
Insurance can be tricky. You can contact your insurance directly to determine an estimate of coverage.
Alaska Premier Health patients can elect to have a prior authorization done, which will help us get to the bottom of your insurance coverage.
What if a medication isn’t right for me?
If a weight loss medication isn’t right for you, don’t worry— we have alternative and highly effective solutions. With over 30 years of experience in non-surgical weight loss, we’ve developed plans appropriate for every patient. We offer highly effective solutions such as Optifast, a medically supervised meal replacement system that can be used alone or in conjunction with a weight loss medication. Optifast often leads to remarkable results, with patients typically losing 10 percent of their body weight in the first six weeks.
What’s next?
If you want to learn more about treating obesity or excessive weight through a new weight management medication like Zepbound, along with dietary and lifestyle changes, we’re happy to help. Simply request a free consultation, and we’ll help you do the rest.
