10 Things to Know Before Taking a GLP-1 Drug, According to a Nurse Who Takes It

Struggling to find your prescribed weight-loss medication? You're not alone. With widespread shortages of popular medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, many patients are searching for alternatives. Here's what you need to know about your options, according to an experienced physician.

Dr. Christy Risinger, a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician with nearly two decades of experience in primary care, shares vital information about GLP-1 medications and their alternatives that could help you maintain your treatment plan.

The Evolution of Weight Loss Medications

"GLP-1 medications have been around since 2005, starting with Exenatide, also known as Byetta," explains Dr. Risinger. She notes that the early medications showed promising results: "With Byetta, people experienced about a six-pound weight loss and their blood sugar reduced by 0.9%." This marked the beginning of a revolutionary change in weight management and diabetes treatment.

RELATED:20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

Why Newer Medications Are Hard to Find

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"Ozempic and Wegovy are getting so much attention because they work the best among GLP-1 medications," explains Dr. Risinger. She points out that even newer medications like Zepbound and Mounjaro have shown more impressive results: "Mounjaro reduces blood sugar by two to two and a half percent, and when rebranded as Zepbound for weight loss, patients lost a whopping average of 50 pounds, which is just incredible."

What You Need to Know About Zepbound (Tirzepatide)

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Zepbound was approved for weight loss in late 2023 and contains tirzepatide as its active ingredient, according to NBC. In a head-to-head study with semaglutide published in JAMA Internal Medicine, patients taking Zepbound lost more weight - around 21% of body weight over 72 weeks compared to 15% for Wegovy users. The study analyzed records from over 41,000 adults and found consistently higher weight loss percentages with tirzepatide at 3, 6, and 12 months.

What You Need to Know About Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

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Per WebMD, Mounjaro is a prescription medication containing tirzepatide used to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes patients. It works by increasing insulin production when blood sugar rises, preventing liver sugar release, and slowing food absorption. The medication comes in various dose strengths from 2.5mg to 15mg in prefilled pens and requires refrigeration for storage.

Understanding Your Alternative Options

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If you can't access Ozempic, Dr. Risinger outlines several alternatives: "You can talk to your doctor about earlier-generation medications like Byetta, Bydureon, and Victoza." While these medications may require daily rather than weekly injections, they can be effective interim solutions.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

What You Need to Know About Byetta (Exenatide)

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According to WebMD, Byetta contains exenatide and is used for treating type 2 diabetes. It works through three mechanisms: stimulating insulin release after meals, preventing liver sugar release, and slowing food movement through the body. It's available in 5mcg and 10mcg prefilled pens and must be used within an hour before morning and evening meals.

What You Need to Know About Bydureon BCise (Exenatide)

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As described by WebMD, Bydureon BCise is an extended-release form of exenatide used for type 2 diabetes management. It's administered once weekly via a 2mg single-dose autoinjector. Like other medications in its class, it works by stimulating insulin production, controlling liver sugar release, and slowing digestion.

What You Need to Know About Victoza (Liraglutide)

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According to WebMD, Victoza contains liraglutide and is prescribed for type 2 diabetes management. It's also specifically indicated to lower cardiovascular event risks in diabetic patients with heart disease. The medication functions similarly to other drugs in its class by increasing insulin production, reducing liver sugar release, and slowing digestion. It's available as an 18mg/3mL solution in pre-filled pens.

Daily vs. Weekly Options

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"In the short term, these medications may be fine," Dr. Risinger notes, "but realize that some of them may need to go back to daily injections instead of once a week." She explains that while they're not as potent as Semaglutide (Ozempic) or Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound), they can still be effective.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Choosing the Right Alternative for Your Condition

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For diabetes management, Dr. Risinger is specific: "If you've been using Ozempic for diabetes and you're no longer able to get it, then Victoza is the next best alternative for you, but realize you have to do the injection daily."

For those using Wegovy for weight management, she advises: "Saxenda may be a good fit for you in the interim, but realize once again, this medication needs to be taken once a day."

The key is working with your healthcare provider to find the most appropriate alternative that aligns with your treatment goals and lifestyle needs. While these alternatives might require more frequent dosing, they can help maintain your progress until your preferred medication becomes available again. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.

If you've been considering expensive GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for weight loss, there might be a better way. Dr. Kate Lyzenga-Dean, an integrative medicine expert, has identified natural alternatives that work with your body's systems. Drawing from her decade of clinical experience and personal health transformation, she reveals how these science-backed options could help you achieve sustainable weight loss without costly prescriptions or side effects.

Why Traditional Weight Loss Methods Fail

"About 50% of Americans are currently trying to lose weight – that's over 165 million people," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean reveals in her post. The problem isn't lack of effort. "Science is proving again and again that the old simplistic model of calorie in, calorie out simply does not work for most women, especially as we age." Instead, she explains successful weight loss depends on hormone balance, including GLP-1.

How GLP-1 Controls Your Weight

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Understanding GLP-1's role is crucial, explains Dr. Lyzenga-Dean. "Food stimulates the release of GLP-1 from your intestinal cells, which then signals your pancreas to release insulin, improves satiety, and slows digestion." This natural process helps control appetite and blood sugar - without medication.

The Hidden Costs of GLP-1 Medications

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While prescription GLP-1 drugs work, they come with significant drawbacks. "These medications are expensive, rarely covered by insurance, and often need to be taken for life," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean warns. "About 50% of patients experience nausea, and most regain weight within a year of stopping."

Healthy Fats: Your First Line of Defense

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"One of the quickest ways to balance blood sugar is by increasing healthy fat intake," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean shares. "Think guacamole and coconut milk, not processed foods." Research shows that adding just 85 grams of pistachios to meals significantly increases GLP-1 levels in pre-diabetic adults.

RELATED: 20 Things You Need to Know About Ozempic and Weight Loss

Power Up Your Protein

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"Meals with higher amounts of protein stimulate GLP-1 secretion better than those with mostly carbs," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean explains. She recommends eggs and plain yogurt: "Eggs provide unsaturated fats, protein, and choline - all crucial for blood sugar balance."

The Mediterranean Secret

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Research supports this dietary approach: "A Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil for 28 days resulted in significantly higher GLP-1 blood concentrations after each meal," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean reports. This pattern not only supports weight loss but also helps prevent metabolic syndrome.

Natural Compounds That Boost GLP-1

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"Flavonoids from turmeric, cinnamon, rosemary, and green tea act as natural GLP-1 boosters," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean reveals. However, she notes that concentrated supplements often work better than food sources alone for noticeable results.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

Berberine: The Natural Alternative

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This plant compound shows remarkable promise. "One meta-analysis showed that just one gram of concentrated berberine significantly lowered cholesterol, BMI, weight, and blood sugar markers," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean reports. Its effectiveness has earned it the nickname "Nature's Ozempic."

Your Gut Bacteria Matter

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"The most impactful way to influence GLP-1 production is by balancing your microbiome," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean emphasizes. She highlights the bacterium Akkermansia: "Studies show it increases thermogenesis - your body's fat-burning process."

Combining Natural Strategies

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Success comes from a comprehensive approach. "The beauty of natural GLP-1 boosters is that you can stack these strategies," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean explains. While results aren't immediate, the benefits are sustainable and side-effect-free.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Your Path to Sustainable Weight Loss

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"Will these alternatives transform your body overnight? No," Dr. Lyzenga-Dean admits. "But they support healthier weight at the root cause, with minimal side effects." For those seeking lasting results without medication, these natural approaches offer a promising solution. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time

Ozempic is the buzziest drug in the weight loss world. However, it isn’t the only GLP-1 drug people are using to lose weight fast. Before you try and get a prescription, there are a lot of things you need to know about the drug, including how it works and also how it compares to similar treatments on the market. Here are ten key differences between Ozempic and other GLP-1 meds for weight loss, according to triple-board-certified plastic surgeon Leo Lapuerta, MD, The Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas.

Ozempic Isn’t Even Approved for General Weight Loss

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While Ozempic is probably the most well-known GLP-1, it isn’t technically even approved for general weight loss. “It is for the control of Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Lapuerta reveals.

Most Weight Loss Drugs Aren’t Approved for Weight Loss

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In fact, most drugs being used for weight loss weren’t even intended for that purpose. “Most of the GLP-1 drugs like Rybelsus, Victoza, Trulicity, and Byetta are intended for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes with beneficial side effects that include weight loss,” explains Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:20 Possible Ozempic Side Effects

Some GLP-1s Offer Heart and Kidney Benefits

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There are other benefits to taking weight loss drugs. “Ozempic, Victoza, and Trulicity all have benefits for the heart and kidneys in addition to control of Type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

One Weight Loss Drug Is Injected Daily, Most of Them Are Weekly

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Most of the GLP-1s, including Ozempic, require a weekly injection. However, “Victoza is unique because it is injected daily rather than weekly,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

One Is Available in Oral Format

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And not all of them require a needle. “Rybelsus is the only GLP-1 that is available in oral format as all the other options are by injection only,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Taking Ozempic

Some of Them Are Approved for Weight Loss and Weight Management

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Ironically, while the most well-known of the bunch isn’t even approved for weight loss, the majority of the others are. “Wegovy, Saxenda, and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) are GLP-1 agonists intended for weight loss and weight management rather than the treatment of Type 2 diabetes,” says Lapuerta.

Some Are More Effective Than Others

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According to Dr. Lapuerta, results vary by brand. “Wegovy typically produces 2 to 3 times the percent weight loss as Saxenda,” he maintains.

Only One of Them Includes GIP

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Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) has an edge over the competition. “It is the first GLP-1 to also include GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), another gut hormone agonist that provides better longer-term control of blood sugar as indicated by better reductions in Hemoglobin A1C levels,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

RELATED:20 Things to Avoid While on Ozempic

Some Medications Have Two Names

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Don’t let names deceive you. “Zepbound is the FDA-approved version of Mounjaro specifically for weight loss,” says Dr. Lapuerta.

Keep Reading About Ozempic

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Keep educating yourself about Ozempic. Here are 15 things you should know before getting Ozempic for weight loss. And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss 20 Incredible Ozempic Success Stories of All Time.