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Weight Loss Medications & Injections

At Garden State Bariatrics, we set our patients up for success by making prescription weight loss convenient for our patients from throughout NJ. Visit our GSBWC Injection Program to learn about our weight loss options.

How Weight Loss Medications Work

Weight loss prescriptions patients lose weight by reducing appetite and reducing the body’s ability to absorb fat from Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity Go to Source
foods.
When used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise routine, these medications can help patients achieve and maintain weight loss. Weight loss injections are administered at home once a week, making it convenient for patients to stay on track.

Semaglutide (Ozempic ® and Wegovy™)

Semaglutide is a type 2 diabetes drug that also helps patients lose weight. The active ingredient in both Ozempic® and Wegovy™, semaglutide mimics a hormone released by the intestines after eating and helps reduce hunger and food intake. When used as part of a weight loss program that includes healthy diet and lifestyle modifications, semaglutide can result in a significant and sustained Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MTD, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group Go to Source reduction in body weight, especially as the dosage Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2·0 mg versus 1·0 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN FORTE): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3B trial Frías JP, Auerbach P, Bajaj HS, Fukushima Y, Lingvay I, Macura S, Søndergaard AL, Tankova TI, Tentolouris N, Buse JB Go to Source increases.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro™)

Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro™, helps promote weight loss in two ways: it reduces the amount of food people need to feel full, and it slows the way food moves through the digestive tract so patient feel fuller for a longer period of time. Tirzepatide has been shown to improve both type 2 diabetes control and weight loss in patients, and some patients experience more Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, Pérez Manghi FC, Fernández Landó L, Bergman BK, Liu B, Cui X, Brown K; SURPASS-2 Investigators Go to Source significant weight loss with tirzepatide than with semaglutide.

FAQs About Weight Loss Medications

How much weight can I lose with prescription weight loss medication?

Research has shown that patients can lose significant weight through a prescription weight loss program. Factors like starting weight, general health, and adherence to a healthy lifestyle can affect Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Real-World Effectiveness of a Medically Supervised Weight Management Program in a Large Integrated Health Care Delivery System: Five-Year Outcomes Krishnaswami A, Ashok R, Sidney S, Okimura M, Kramer B, Hogan L, Sorel M, Pruitt S, Smith W Go to Source results.

Is prescription weight loss permanent?

Weight loss prescriptions are a tool to be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, not an easy, permanent fix for obesity. Patients may regain lost weight when they stop taking weight loss drugs, but many can maintain their weight loss by making healthy food choices and exercising regularly.

What are the side effects of weight loss prescriptions?

Each weight loss medication works slightly differently, so they are each associated with specific side effects and risks. Common Trusetd Source Checkbox Trusted Source Prescription Weight Loss Drugs Mayo Clinic Go to Source side effects of weight loss prescriptions include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Fatigue
  • High blood pressure
  • Elevated heart rate

 

Are weight loss prescriptions covered by insurance?

For certain patients, weight loss medications may be covered by insurance. The best way to learn whether your plan covers these prescriptions is to contact your provider. It is also possible to use funds from medical spending accounts (HSA, FSA) to help cover the cost of weight loss medications.

Contact Us

If you live in NJ and are ready to learn more about weight loss prescriptions and whether they may be a good tool for you, contact us to schedule a consultation at our bariatric center in New Jersey.

1 Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight and Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity. Accessed May 19, 2023.
2 Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MTD, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33567185. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/. Accessed June 26, 2023.
3 Frías JP, Auerbach P, Bajaj HS, Fukushima Y, Lingvay I, Macura S, Søndergaard AL, Tankova TI, Tentolouris N, Buse JB. Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2·0 mg versus 1·0 mg in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN FORTE): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3B trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Sep;9(9):563-574. doi: 10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00174-1. Epub 2021 Jul 21. PMID: 34293304. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34293304/. Accessed June 26, 2023.
4 Frías JP, Davies MJ, Rosenstock J, Pérez Manghi FC, Fernández Landó L, Bergman BK, Liu B, Cui X, Brown K; SURPASS-2 Investigators. Tirzepatide versus Semaglutide Once Weekly in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2021 Aug 5;385(6):503-515. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2107519. Epub 2021 Jun 25. PMID: 34170647. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34170647/. Accessed June 26, 2023.
5 Krishnaswami A, Ashok R, Sidney S, Okimura M, Kramer B, Hogan L, Sorel M, Pruitt S, Smith W. Real-World Effectiveness of a Medically Supervised Weight Management Program in a Large Integrated Health Care Delivery System: Five-Year Outcomes. Perm J. 2018;22:17-082. doi: 10.7812/TPP/17-082. PMID: 29401050; PMCID: PMC5798936. Available: https://www.thepermanentejournal.org/doi/10.7812/TPP/17-082. Accessed May 19, 2023.
6 Mayo Clinic. Prescription Weight Loss Drugs. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss-drugs/art-20044832. Accessed May 19, 2023.

The Doctors at Garden State Bariatrics have either authored or reviewed and approved this content. Page Updated:

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