Choosing Between Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

You're in good company if you’re struggling to reach or maintain a healthy weight. Over three-quarters of adults in the United States are overweight, with a body mass index (BMI) over 25, and more than 42% of those Americans are obese, with a BMI of 30 or higher. 

With more Americans than ever facing weight challenges, the preventable health issues that excessive body fat brings, like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, are also on the rise. 

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 60% of American adults have at least one chronic condition, and 40% have two or more. 

The good news is that you can prevent these conditions from progressing by adopting a healthy lifestyle and losing weight. And in some instances, you can reverse them.

At Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach in South Florida, our providers use FDA-approved weight loss medications, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, to help qualifying patients reclaim their health. 

But which medication is right for you? Keep reading as we explain these weight loss medications and how you can determine the best choice. 

The similarities between semaglutide and tirzepatide

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved medications that help people who have obesity or are overweight (BMI > 27) and have a weight-related health condition. 

These medications have many similarities. Both were first approved as treatments for type 2 diabetes, and both work by mimicking the action of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). 

This hormone is secreted in your gut when you eat, and it’s what helps you feel full. It also manages your blood sugar by causing the release of the hormone insulin, which moves glucose from your blood and into cells.    

As a result, both medications help you lose weight by sending signals to your brain that you’re full for longer periods. As a result, you eat less and lose weight by consuming fewer calories. 

The differences between semaglutide and tirzepatide

The most significant difference between semaglutide and tirzepatide is that tirzepatide activates an additional hormone called glucagon-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). That makes tirzepatide a “dual agonist” since it works on two hormones. 

The GIP hormone also helps your body release insulin and feel satisfied after eating. So, with tirzepatide, your body gets double the help in satiety and blood sugar regulation. 

Some studies have found that patients lose more weight using tirzepatide. However, their research only considers patients with type 2 diabetes. 

Choosing between semaglutide and tirzepatide

The best way to learn if semaglutide or tirzepatide suits you is by meeting with the Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach team. 

Semaglutide and tirzepatide offer similar results for people trying to lose weight. Research shows that adults taking semaglutide lose an average of 15% of their starting weight, while people using tirzepatide lose between 15-21%, depending on the dose. 

Your Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach provider can guide you on the best medication for your needs. 

Personalized weight loss help

At Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach, we know that people who lose weight and maintain it long-term do it by making changes to support their new, healthier lifestyle. That’s why we offer personalized weight loss counseling. 

Your weight loss specialist works with you, taking into account your personal preferences and health history, to create a holistic weight loss plan. Plus, we help you create realistic expectations and goals for using weight loss medications.

In addition to recommending semaglutide or tirzepatide, your plan may include:

• Changing to a well-balanced, healthy diet
• Incorporating exercise and physical activity
• Improving your sleep habits
• Recommendations for making behavioral changes
• Emotional support
• Wellness and fat-burning injections
• Monitoring other conditions, like high blood pressure

To learn if semaglutide or tirzepatide is right for you, schedule an appointment online or over the phone with a weight loss specialist at Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Pompano Beach in Pompano Beach, Florida.