Tirzepatide usage is a prescribed injection used for controlling and managing diabetes 2 with diet and exercise in adults. However, this injection has shown promising and significant weight loss compared to placebo in two pivotal studies.
It’s estimated that around 39.6% of adults in the US are obese. To make matters worse, 7.7% of US adults have severe obesity. Over a billion people suffer from obesity. That’s why it’s important to discuss things with your doctor and gain clarity on how to use medications like Tirzepatide for weight loss. Here’s everything you need to know about Tirzepatide usage and how it treats obesity.
Weekly Regime To Use Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide is still a fairly new obesity treatment; most of the time, you will be using the medication in a medical facility. However, it’s not unusual for people to use Tirzepatide at home. Tirzepatide has a medication guide and instructions for patients. Doctors will even take you through a step-by-step guide on how to use the injection. To the uninitiated, this medication is usually injected under your stomach, thighs, or upper arms. It is also advisable to use a new needle for each injection.
Healthcare professionals and doctors help the patients every step of the way. Something your doctor will tell you to keep a keen eye on is your blood pressure levels regularly. It is especially recommended before and after consuming meals. Many doctors will also devise a meal plan to maximize the effects of the injection.
Dosage
Using the correct dosage of this medication is important since excess use is harmful. It’s necessary to take it only once a week. The dosage of Tirzepatide for weight loss depends on a variety of factors. A lot of it has to do with the patient and any other pre-existing medical conditions. However, the first dosage is 2.5mg of Tirzepatide. People with severe obesity may need a higher dosage. Some cases of obesity may even justify 5mg, 10mg, and 15mg doses.
Tirzepatide’s cost for doses could go up to $12,666 a year. But often, that cost can be dramatically brought down through insurance coverage and savings cards that patients could avail through their provider. That’s why it’s important to discuss all the details with your doctor and develop a treatment that suits you financially and physically. Also, it is essential to keep in mind that you should avoid taking excessive dosage of the injections because it can have severe adverse reactions on your health. Similarly, forgetting about the dosage and continuity is not advisable.
Storage
While getting the dosage of Tirzepatide is vital for your weight loss treatment, it’s also important to store the medication safely. The instructions for storage are usually clear and concise. However, the problem is that most people dismiss it. It’s essential to follow every single instruction mentioned so the safety and efficacy of this medication remain intact. Keep this medication away from children, store it in a refrigerator (without freezing it), and discard the needles in a closed container. Keep in mind that children and pets need to be far away from the medication or the needles.
Dietary And Other Restrictions
You need to have a clear conversation with your doctor about dietary restrictions if you are thinking of beginning Tirzepatide for obesity treatment. Restrictions on certain staples of food may be a possibility. Your doctor will also advise you to avoid alcohol and tobacco at all costs.
Things To Know Before Using Tirzepatide
There are a lot of things to keep in mind before using Tirzepatide to treat obesity. Firstly, Tirzepatide for weight loss is an injection sold under the brand name Mounjaro for DiabetesType 2 and under the brand name Zepbound for obesity. It’s also vital to consult your healthcare professional since this medication requires a doctor’s prescription. Here are some other things to be mindful of before you begin with this treatment.
Allergies
Doctors will do a thorough background check and ask questions to assess any possible allergic reactions before using Tirzepatide for weight loss treatment. Questions will include asking the patient about any history of allergies related to foods, preservatives, or animals. This thorough questioning means the chances of a severe allergic reaction are rare. However, you should report to the doctor immediately if you notice swellings or rashes on the tongue, face, or throat. Dizziness and trouble breathing may also be allergic reactions.
Not For Children
Tirzepatide may be a brilliant tool for obesity treatment. However, it may not be advisable to treat children. This is because the safety and efficacy of Tirzepatide aren’t approved for minors under the age of 18.
Not For Senior Citizens
Tirzepatide and other medications for weight loss treatment are fairly new, and there is a need for several studies to understand the effect and efficiency of the drug in different age groups. Inadequate amounts of research are why we don’t know the potential effects it may have on geriatric patients. However, few studies indicate that older patients might be more sensitive to Tirzepatide than younger patients.
Potential Pregnancy Complications
Just like children and older patients, there isn’t enough information on the impact Tirzepatide could have on pregnant women. The outcome this obesity treatment medication could have on the mother and fetus is still not clear. However, the few studies done so far aren’t promising. Studies show that Tirzepatide causes malformations in animal reproduction.
Interaction With Other Medications
Your doctor or healthcare professional will ask you about any other medications you may be taking. It is a necessary line of questioning. Tirzepatide is a strong medication that’s capable of significantly lowering blood pressure. However, your doctor may also change the doses of other medications and Tirzepatide after assessing your condition.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of certain medical problems can hinder Tirzepatide’s obesity treatment. This is why doctors must confirm the health and condition of the patient before beginning the treatment. Some medical problems that can negatively affect the medication’s treatment are pancreatitis, gastroparesis, or thyroid cancer.
Benefits Of Tirzepatide
Despite its relative newness compared to other medications, Tirzepatide already made strides in the medical community. The benefits of this medication for weight loss treatment are that it can treat many patients. There’s even the possibility of more benefits arising as medical experts continue to research the drug. Here are all the benefits of Tirzepatide you need to keep in mind –
- Reduces excess sugar in the body.
- Acts as an appetite suppressant, useful in treating obesity.
- More effective than semaglutide injections.
In Summary
Tirzepatide’s impact on obesity is still a fairly new form of treatment and needs close inspection. However, initial studies show promise. As time passes, doctors have learned how complex obesity is and that dietary changes and exercise may not always solve it completely. Pre-existing medical conditions and family history are also factors. This is why many people in the medical community are advocating for effective medications like Tirzepatide for weight loss.
We at Track Your Max have been using Tirzeptide with our patients successfully extensively based on clinical indications. We understand the needs of patients and develop a plan to bring out the best in your health. There’s been a lot of focus on health recently, and we want to keep the momentum going! Our doctor-led program has made it a mission to help patients gain transparency over their health using technology. Take a step today towards your health!
