Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is a type 2 diabetes medication that causes weight loss. Because of this, tirzepatide is also widely used as a weight loss medication or obesity management tool. ⁽¹⁾

The way tirzepatide and other GLP-1 medications work is by mimicking hormones that are integral to digestion and appetite triggers in the body. ⁽¹⁾ By slowing the digestion process and decreasing feelings of hunger, tirzepatide is effective in allowing patients who suffer from obesity and weight-related conditions to lose significant amounts of weight. With the help of tirzepatide, patients can begin a journey to a healthier, more empowering lifestyle.

At AsandraMD, Dr. Christopher Asandra is a dedicated vitality expert with practices in Beverly Hills and Newport Beach. We provide treatments like tirzepatide and semaglutide to patients who are looking to improve their quality of life, whether they are living with type 2 diabetes or are seeking a way to effectively manage obesity with long-term results.

To make an appointment for a consultation at either of our offices, call us at (424) 542-8881 or fill out our online contact form.

In the meantime, you can take a look at our blog to learn more about what we do at AsandraMD.

About Tirzepatide

What sets tirzepatide apart from semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication, is that tirzepatide also acts on the glucose-dependent insulinotropic (GIP) receptors. ⁽¹⁾ Like GLP-1 receptors, GIP triggers insulin release after a meal and also contributes to a person’s appetite. ⁽¹⁾ By mimicking these hormones, tirzepatide has the ability to lower a person’s blood sugar, as well as reduce the occurrence of cravings. ⁽¹⁾ Tirzepatide also slows the digestion process by causing the stomach to empty into the small intestine at a slower speed. Overall, this medication can make a patient feel full earlier when eating a meal, as opposed to feeling hungrier for longer.

When compared to semaglutide, which only mimics the GLP-1 receptor hormone, tirzepatide may offer increased benefits because of how it mimics two different hormones. ⁽¹⁾ Patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity enjoy lower blood sugar and an increased ability to lose weight when taking tirzepatide. ⁽¹⁾ Additionally, tirzepatide increases adiponectin in the body, which is a hormone that breaks down fat and manages blood sugar levels. ⁽¹⁾

Benefits of Tirzepatide

Tirzepatide is an effective, long-term medication for patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity that helps these patients manage blood sugar and weight loss. ⁽²⁾

Obesity affects around 650 million adults across the globe, making it one of the most widespread health issues. ⁽²⁾ Treatment of obesity in the past has ranged from dieting, exercise regimens, and sometimes surgeries. ⁽²⁾ However, dieting and exercise is not always effective depending on the individual; some people may be able to lose significant amounts of weight this way, but others have more difficulty losing weight for genetic reasons or otherwise. ⁽²⁾ Weight loss surgeries are effective, but undergoing a surgery is a big life change. Tirzepatide is a great alternative to weight loss surgery, as it allows for the simple maintenance of weekly injections. It can help patients see results from their dieting and exercising efforts, as tirzepatide may make it easier to maintain a healthy diet.

A weight reduction of 5% is considered to be beneficial to a person’s health when they are experiencing obesity. ⁽²⁾ In one 2022 study of 2539 participants, participants exceeded this number and underwent average weight losses of 19.5% and 20.9% after 72 weeks. ⁽²⁾ With this significant weight loss comes additional benefits, like potentially helping patients who have sleep apnea or are at risk for heart disease. This weight loss may also allow for more mobility and a higher quality of life.

Candidates

During a personal consultation, Dr. Asandra will help you decide if you would benefit from beginning weekly tirzepatide injections. At this time, he will consider your medical history, any medications you are currently on, as well as your personal goals. There are some conditions and medications that disqualify patients from being able to take tirzepatide. ⁽¹⁾ These conditions include medullary thyroid cancer and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type-2. ⁽¹⁾ Those who are already taking another GLP-1 medication should also not take tirzepatide. ⁽¹⁾

Tirzepatide is especially recommended for candidates who:

Personal Consultation

The first step toward receiving weekly tirzepatide treatments is to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Asandra. During this consultation, Dr. Asandra will hear your concerns, questions, and ultimate goals. Dr. Asandra will let you know how tirzepatide works and if it would benefit your unique situation. You will also be asked to undergo blood tests for your consultation so that our team can understand your hormone levels.

To schedule a consultation at either our Beverly Hills office or our Newport Beach office, call us at (424)542-8881 or fill out our online contact form.

How Tirzepatide is Administered

Tirzepatide is administered through weekly injections. ⁽¹⁾ It can be injected into various different locations, including the abdomen, thighs, or arms. Dr. Asandra will instruct you exactly how to inject tirzepatide during your appointment at the AsandraMD office. Dr. Asandra will also recommend that you choose a different injection site every week. Doing so will reduce the risk of irritation.

Tirzepatide doses begin at one set amount, and then Dr. Asandra will increase the dosage over time. ⁽¹⁾ Your dose will be unique to your individual situation, however, it usually begins at 2.5 mg and is increased to 5 mg after the first 4 weeks. The maximum amount of the weekly tirzepatide dosage is up to 15 mg. Dr. Asandra will let you know what to do if you miss a tirzepatide dose–we typically recommend that patients take the dose within the next 4 days if possible. If this is not possible, we will recommend that you simply wait until the next scheduled dose to resume the treatment. ⁽¹⁾ Tirzepatide is not currently offered in pill form.

Results

Tirzepatide begins to act very soon after it is injected. However, it may take some time before you notice significantly fewer cravings in your daily life, and as a result, it will be a while before you see the coinciding weight loss. The tirzepatide timeline will look different for each patient. Dr. Asandra will provide you with a general timeline of what you should expect after the first few weeks of taking tirzepatide. It is important to keep in mind that tirzepatide is a long-term medication; Even after you have experienced the full effects, it is recommended that you continue taking the doses to maintain them. Additionally, a healthy diet and exercise routine will help maximize the results of your tirzepatide treatment. ⁽³⁾ After beginning tirzepatide treatments, you should schedule return visits so that Dr. Asandra can monitor your progress. If you feel like you may also benefit from lifestyle counseling, this can also help patients maintain healthy physical and mental habits. ⁽³⁾

Cost of Tirzepatide in Newport Beach

The cost of your tirzepatide treatment will be discussed during your personal consultation with Dr. Asandra. If you have any questions about tirzepatide, you can contact us through our online form or give us a call at (424) 542-8881.

FAQ

References

1. Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056/
2. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2022;387(3). doi:https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2206038
3. Wadden TA, Chao AM, Machineni S, et al. Tirzepatide after intensive lifestyle intervention in adults with overweight or obesity: The SURMOUNT-3 phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine. 2023;29:1-10. doi:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02597-w