What Is Tirzepatide?

Tirzepatide is an injectable medication used for weight management in adults with obesity. It is a synthetic polypeptide dual agonist for the GLP-1 and GIP receptors. An agonist is a substance that attaches to a receptor and turns on the receptor, which in turn results in a biological response. When the receptor is bound with tirzepatide, it increases insulin secretion by the pancreas and decreases glucagon production. This reduces gastric emptying and patients will feel full, which reduces a patient’s appetite. It is administered via subcutaneous injection, once weekly, with incremental dosage adjustments as necessary. 

Patients will be required to do bloodwork prior to administration to ensure eligibility, as well as provide a list of current medications and a medical history. 

Weight loss has been seen as early as four weeks on tirzepatide with patients losing on average, 15% to 20% of their body weight. 

What is the difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide?

Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) are both innovative medications used for managing type 2 diabetes and supporting weight loss, but they work in slightly different ways and have unique benefits.

Semaglutide:

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist that helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin release, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. It reduces appetite by blocking ghrelin, the hormone that is responsible for making us feel hungry. It is typically administered as a once-weekly injection and has been proven effective for improving blood glucose control and promoting weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is primarily focused on mimicking the effects of GLP-1.

Tirzepatide:

Tirzepatide, on the other hand, is a dual-acting medication that targets two hormones—GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). By mimicking both of these hormones, tirzepatide not only helps regulate blood sugar and reduce appetite, but it also enhances insulin sensitivity and provides a more comprehensive approach to managing type 2 diabetes and promoting significant weight loss. This dual mechanism makes tirzepatide a unique option for individuals looking for enhanced metabolic benefits. Tirzepatide is also proving to have fewer side effects than semaglutide, making it a more desirable option for a weight loss medication.

Key Differences:

Hormonal Targets: Semaglutide targets only GLP-1, while tirzepatide targets both GLP-1 and GIP for a broader effect.

Weight Loss: Both medications are effective for weight loss, but tirzepatide has shown more significant weight reduction in clinical trials.

Diabetes Control: Both are effective for blood glucose control, but tirzepatide’s dual-mechanism may provide additional benefits for insulin sensitivity.

What Are The Side Effects? 

Tirzepatide can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, injection site reactions, hypersensitivity or allergic reactions (fever/rash), burping, hair loss, sinus tachycardia, acute pancreatitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. These side effects could lead to dehydration and may cause acute kidney injury. Patients should immediately seek care at the local emergency department if they develop severe abdominal pain. 

Tirzepatide may cause fetal harm and is not recommended for pregnant patients. 

There may be a decreased efficacy of oral contraceptives, so other non-oral contraceptive methods should be used for at least 4 weeks after beginning tirzepatide and for 4 weeks after every dosage increase.

Tirzepatide also may cause cholelithiasis and cholecystitis due to rapid weight loss. 

Patients with preexisting diabetic retinopathy may have worsened symptoms. 

There is a small risk of hypoglycemia in patients. Those utilizing sulfonylureas are at a higher risk for hypoglycemia.

May cause suicidal behavior and ideation and should be discontinued if those symptoms appear.

Contraindications

-   Tirzepatide is contraindicated for patients with a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2

-   Risk of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors

-   Known serious hypersensitivity to tirzepatide or any of the excipients in it

-   Not recommended for patients with severe gastrointestinal disease 

-   Patients with confirmed pancreatitis

-   Patients using Insulin Secretagogue (e.g. Sulfonylurea)

-   Those already using semaglutide medicines

Why Should I Go to Dr. Silverman for Weight Loss?

Why in the world would you see a plastic surgeon for weight loss medications? Well, the answer is multi-fold. Dr. Silverman is still a medical doctor with a vast knowledge of medicine in general. He is also a board-certified general surgeon who did multiple bariatric (weight loss) procedures in his general surgery training. One of the most important points is that Dr. Silverman already sees patients for massive weight loss and is able to help them through their journey as well as procedures after that weight loss. Dr. Silverman has thoroughly thought through how and where patients lose their weight. He has devised adjunct treatments to be performed during the weight loss journey that can prevent the stigmata of weight loss, i.e. Ozempic face.

 This is best exemplified by Slim Tonic, Slim Tight and Slim Sculpt, the programs that Dr. Silverman has implemented for a full body transformation, not just weight loss. 

Slim Packages

1)   SlimTonic                                                       

a.    Tirzepatide   

b.    Complimentary IV Metabolism Boost

c.    Complimentary O2 Bar

2)   SlimTight

a.    SlimTonic package and

b.    Sculptra 1 vial per month for 3 months

c.    Sofwave of face at month 3

3)   SlimSculpt

a.    SlimTonic package and

b.    Unlimited Coolsculpting of abdomen for 150 days

Slim Incentive

Lose 50lbs in 1 years time by following one of our Slim Packages and receive 20% off an abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)*           

*Disclaimer:

a.     Must be a candidate for an abdominoplasty following consult with Dr. Silverman (and the consultation fee will be waived)

b.     Weight loss must be documented at New Beginnings Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

c.     BMI must be under 30

d.     Must be medically fit to undergo anesthesia and surger

A Letter from Dr. Silverman