These medications may be appropriate based on your responses. We can discuss which options are right for you.
Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
A GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps regulate appetite and food intake. Administered as a weekly injection.
Wegovy (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.
Tirzepatide (Zepbound®)
A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management. Administered as a weekly injection.
Zepbound (tirzepetide)
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.
Liraglutide (Saxenda®)
A GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management. Administered as a daily injection.
Saxenda (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.
This is the only approved weight management medication for individuals aged 12-17.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse®)
Recommended based on your eating patterns
Approved for moderate to severe binge eating disorder. May help reduce binge eating episodes.
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
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
Common side effects:
Decreased appetite
Dry mouth
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Irritability or mood changes
Increased heart rate or blood pressure
Serious side effects to watch for:
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).
If you experience severe side effects or have concerns, reach out to your healthcare provider immediately.
Contrave®
A combination of naltrexone and bupropion for chronic weight management. Taken orally.
Contrave (bupropion / naltrexone)
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.
Let's talk about your options.
We understand that choosing the right weight management options can be overwhelming. There's a lot of noise out there.
We're here to help. Send us your information below, and we'll schedule a call to review your results and answer any questions you may have.
Your consultation is free, and you won't be signed up for any email lists by submitting this form.
Your health journey takes many paths.
Based on your responses, this weight management assessment is not appropriate for you at this time.
This may be because:
You are under 12 years of age
You are currently pregnant or breastfeeding
Your BMI is under 25
We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider to discuss weight management options that may be suitable for your specific situation.
