HOW IT WORKS
How do Weight Loss Medications
or Injections Work?
Weight loss can involve much more than just diet and exercise. When it comes to weight loss medication or injections, such as GLP-1 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, it is a strategy — carefully designed by the professionals at Grand Health Partners — that includes a full understanding of your body’s needs; nutritional guidance, the utilization of anti-obesity medications for weight loss, and frequent check-ins to keep you accountable. The combination of a balanced diet, exercise, and accountability will help you reach sustainable goals.
Why is it important to consult with an obesity medicine specialist?
Physician supervised medical weight loss is a structured approach to losing weight that involves the oversight of a healthcare professional, typically a physician specializing in obesity or weight management. This approach is designed for individuals who have significant weight to lose or who have struggled with weight management, and it often involves a combination of diet, exercise, behavior modification, and medications.
YOUR FULL-SERVICE EDITION
What are Anti-Obesity
Medications?
Anti-Obesity Medications can be a helpful tool along with lifestyle and behavior changes to help with weight management. Each medication works a little differently and your physician or provider will review options with you at your visit. Sometimes, Anti-Obesity Medications are not able to be used because of interactions with your other medicines or your other health problems. This will be assessed at your visit. Anti-Obesity Medications are never used when pregnant or breastfeeding and some can cause birth defects, so we advise prevention of pregnancy while on an Anti-Obesity Medications. It is important to understand your insurance coverage for these before coming into our office as they are not covered by all insurance policies and can be very expensive.
Please call your insurance or pharmacy benefit manager to find out if any of the following are covered: Phentermine, Contrave, Qsymia, Saxenda, Wegovy, Zepbound.
Keep in mind all of these are likely to require a prior authorization which we can initiate if you meet your insurance criteria for coverage. In most cases, you will pay full price until you meet your deductible. Some insurances also require trial of generic medication like phentermine prior to initiating other Anti-Obesity Medications.
Who is a candidate for
Anti-Obesity Medication?
You must meet the following general criteria to qualify for weight loss medications:
- You have a BMI of 30+
- You have a BMI of 27+ with one or more comorbidity such as sleep apnea, hypertension, and/or diabetes
- You have tried alternative methods of weight loss
- You have had bariatric surgery and desire to lose more weight, or have regained weight after surgery
What are the types of
Anti-Obesity Medication?
Semaglutide (Wegovy)
At Grand Health Partners, we are proud to prescribe Semaglutide in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. Semaglutide, otherwise known as Wegovy, is a cutting-edge, FDA-approved medication that supports chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those with weight-related conditions and health risks. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that’s similar to in cretin, a naturally-occurring hormone that controls your appetite.
As such, the semaglutide medication can control your appetite and prevent hunger pangs, thus supporting your weight loss goals.
Semaglutide is a one-of-a-kind drug only meant for individuals who are overweight or obese, i.e., those with a BMI of 27 or more and have a weight-related condition, such as diabetes, or those with a BMI of 30 or more. Please note that this medication isn’t an alternative to exercise and a healthy diet—it can only support other weight loss efforts, such as exercise, a low-calorie diet, and behavior changes.
It’s possible to gain weight after stopping this medication.
Tirzepatide
Tirzepatide, also known Zepbound prescribed at Grand Health Partners, serves as a pharmaceutical-grade weight loss supplement renowned for its appetite-suppressing effects, facilitating a sensation of fullness quicker and for extended durations. Specifically engineered to target the GLP-1 receptor situated in the gastrointestinal tract, Tirzepatide orchestrates signals to the brain, prompting a cessation of hunger cues.
By leveraging this precise mechanism, Tirzepatide effectively induces feelings of satiety, alleviating hunger pangs. Moreover, it exhibits the capability to inhibit the release of ghrelin, a hormone associated with hunger, thereby facilitating adherence to low-calorie dietary regimens.
In addition to decreasing your appetite, Tirzepatide in Grand Rapids can also slow down the digestive processes within your stomach. This medication makes your stomach empty out slower, so you continue feeling sated long after your meals, preventing you from snacking between meals. Studies have shown that consistent use of Tirzepatide, in combination with a healthy diet and regular exercise, can lead to a 5% to 22.5% reduction in total body weight.
Tirzepatide is a one-of-a-kind drug only meant for individuals who are overweight or obese, i.e., those with a BMI of 27 or more and have a weight-related condition, such as diabetes, or those with a BMI of 30 or more. Please note that this medication isn’t an alternative to exercise and a healthy diet—it can only support other weight loss efforts, such as exercise, a low-calorie diet, and behavior changes.
It’s possible to gain weight after stopping this medication.
Liraglutide (Saxenda)
Liraglutide in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is used primarily for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Liraglutide works by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating insulin secretion, slowing down gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.
In addition to its use in diabetes management, liraglutide has also been approved for weight management in certain individuals who have obesity or who are overweight and have weight-related complications. When used for weight management, it is administered at a higher dose than when used for diabetes treatment.
Liraglutide is typically administered via subcutaneous injection and is marketed under the brand name Victoza for diabetes treatment and Saxenda for weight management. As with any medication, it may have side effects and contraindications, so it should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Phentermine
Phentermine is a medication primarily used for short-term weight loss in individuals who are overweight or obese. It is classified as a sympathomimetic amine, which means it works by stimulating the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically norepinephrine, to suppress appetite.
Phentermine is typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes dietary changes, exercise, and behavior modification. It is intended for use in individuals who have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise alone and who have certain risk factors related to their weight.
Because of its potential side effects and interactions with other medications, phentermine should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. It is typically recommended for short-term use only, usually a few weeks to a few months. Long-term use is generally not advised due to the risk of developing tolerance and dependence.
Qsymia
Qsymia is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese. It is a combination medication containing two active ingredients: phentermine and topiramate extended-release.
Phentermine, as mentioned earlier, is an appetite suppressant that works by stimulating the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to reduce appetite and promote weight loss.
Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines. Its exact mechanism of action in promoting weight loss is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve appetite suppression and modulation of certain neurotransmitter systems.
The combination of phentermine and topiramate in Qsymia is believed to enhance weight loss by targeting both appetite control and satiety, making it easier for individuals to adhere to a reduced-calorie diet and achieve weight loss goals.
Qsymia is typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes dietary modifications and increased physical activity. It is indicated for long-term use, but its safety and effectiveness over periods longer than two years have not been established.
Due to its potential side effects and risks, Qsymia should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional and is typically recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related comorbidities.
Contrave
Contrave is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management in adults who are overweight or obese. It is a combination medication containing two active ingredients: bupropion hydrochloride and naltrexone hydrochloride.
Bupropion is an antidepressant medication that is also used to aid in smoking cessation. It works by affecting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine and norepinephrine, which are involved in regulating mood and appetite.
Naltrexone is a medication primarily used to treat alcohol dependence and opioid addiction. It works by blocking the effects of opioid drugs and alcohol in the brain, thereby reducing cravings.
The combination of bupropion and naltrexone in Contrave is thought to work synergistically to help control appetite and food cravings, leading to reduced caloric intake and weight loss.
Contrave is typically prescribed as part of a comprehensive weight loss program that includes dietary modifications and increased physical activity. It is indicated for long-term use, but its safety and effectiveness over periods longer than one year have not been established.
Due to its potential side effects and risks, Contrave should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional and is typically recommended for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those with a BMI of 27 or higher with weight-related comorbidities.
We use some additional generic medications off label when you do not have Anti-Obesity Medications coverage in similar dosing to the medications above. Mounjaro (terzepatide) or Ozempic (Semaglutide) are specifically marketed for Type 2 Diabetes and will generally be prescribed by your primary care physician or endocrinologist who is managing your diabetes. We do not prescribe Mounjaro or Ozempic for obesity treatment.
Anti-Obesity Medications are effective only when combined with lifestyle changes. You will be asked to keep a food log and meet with a registered dietitian as well as an exercise physiologist and in some cases a behaviorist to help initiate this. There will be out of pocket cost for these visits.
You will have monthly follow-up office visits with our PA or physicians when we are prescribing weight loss medications.
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