WHAT IS SEMAGLUTIDE?

Semaglutide is a diabetes medication used to control blood sugar. It may also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious complications of type 2 diabetes or heart or blood vessel disease. It works by increasing the amount of insulin in your bloodstream, reducing the blood sugar levels of a person who has trouble regulating. Though semaglutide may be used to treat diabetes, it’s not insulin. It’s a medication that can be used to help insulin do its job and lower blood sugar, but most patients are advised to use it as part of a comprehensive approach to treat type 2 diabetes, in conjunction with diet and exercise and any other medication or dietary supplement their doctor has approved.

SEMAGLUTIDE FOR WEIGHT LOSS-

Originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has also found a niche helping people with weight-related medical problems rapidly lose weight. It does this in three ways:

1. The GLP-1 hormone present in the medication slows down how fast your stomach moves food through, which makes you feel fuller longer and discourages binge eating.

2. The hormone prevents the liver from releasing sugar into the bloodstream, which would otherwise contribute to fat buildup.

3. Semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin, reducing blood sugar still more.

IS SEMAGLUTIDE SAFE?

The FDA first approved semaglutide to help people lose weight in 2021, making it the first anti-obesity medication to be allowed onto the market since 2014. When used for treating obesity, semaglutide should always be paired with improved diet and a regular healthy exercise program. Subcutaneous semaglutide, a brand name of semaglutide was subjected to four separate placebo controlled trials lasting 68 weeks. The testing showed that medication was more effective than the placebo for weight loss and chronic weight management. For people with weight-related medical problems, semaglutide can be an effective choice for helping lose weight, advance a successful weight loss program and maintain a healthy body weight for as long as the treatments are given.

WHAT IS TIRZEPATIDE?

Tirzepatide is an FDA-approved medication for chronic weight management in adults. According to John Hopkins University, one of the most promising new medications for weight loss is Tirzepatide, a cutting-edge medication designed to achieve medical weight loss in patients that struggle with obesity. It’s a compound that mimics two different hormones in the body, GLP-1 and GIP, both of which regulate glucose and insulin levels. The medication is delivered in injection form once a week. Tirzepatide’s success in achieving medical weight loss comes from its ability to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels. It works by targeting two specific receptors in the body, which triggers the body to produce insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 hormones work by slowing down digestion and making people feel full for longer, leading to an overall reduction in calorie intake. Studies have shown that Tirzepatide can significantly improve weight loss in those struggling with obesity. Additionally, the medication has been shown to improve other aspects of metabolic health, such as controlling blood sugar and reducing inflammation.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEMAGLUTIDE & TIRZEPATIDE?

Although both tirzepatide and semaglutide are used to assist patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity in losing weight and improving cardiovascular diseases, there are some significant distinctions between them. The main distinctions between these drugs are that they’re two different classes of drugs and have slightly differing targets in the brain. Tirzepatide is unique in its class of medications since it targets both the GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists. By activating these receptors, tirzepatide functions differently from semaglutide. Semaglutide exclusively targets the GLP-1 receptor agonist. However, it has been on the market longer than tirzepatide and is supported by greater research and clinical proof.