FAQ's
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a small protein (peptide) that activates metabolic pathways in the body to increase blood sugar metabolism and reduce appetite. It imitates a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). You may have heard of Semaglutide before. It has been used to help treat type 2 diabetes under the brand names Ozempic ® and Saxenda®.
What is Tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is a medication used to help patients with weight loss and lower their blood glucose levels by increasing insulin production and lowering the amount of sugar produced by the liver. Much like other medications helping patients lose weight, tirzepatide slows down the rate of food passing through the body which makes people feel fuller for longer and helps them achieve their weight loss goals.
How does tirzepatide work?
Tirzepatide works by targeting the dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, making it the first weight loss and diabetes care medication that targets 2 receptor agonists. Both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists are incretin hormones, meaning they are released after food intake and stimulate insulin secretion
Tirzepatide works by mimicking both these receptor agonists, in turn, signalling the pancreas to stop releasing insulin after food intake and alerting the liver to decrease glucose levels These processes slow down digestion, improve glycemic control and help people feel fuller for longer after eating meals which can all lead to body weight reduction and weight control
Are the injections safe?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Semaglutide to be used to treat type-2 diabetes in 2017. Further research and studies have shown that Semaglutide is also suitable for losing weight, and in June of 2021, it was FDA-approved for weight loss under the brand name Wegovy®. We start all of our patients off at a lower, compounded dose for the first month and then increase the dosage for the second and third months, respectively. Our compounded medication also includes Vitamin B-12 which gives you more energy.
Where is the injection administered?
Semaglutide is injected (under the skin and not into a muscle.) Some patients prefer the stomach, others the thigh. Be assured the needle is quite small, and the injection is painless. However, if you are needle-averse, we do provide Semaglutide in pill form. Injections are weekly, pills are taken daily.
What are the benefits?
The physical benefit of Semaglutide is that it WILL reduce your appetite and make you feel fuller, so you eat less. It also keeps you in “fat-burning” mode. Because Semaglutide targets fat cells and regulates blood sugar, you don’t have to worry about losing muscle mass or dehydration (water weight loss).Semaglutide has also been shown to help stop the production of plaque in blood vessels.
What can I eat?
Another major benefit of working with Dr. Ron Clark is that you will have the opportunity to secure Dr. Clarke's meal plan. If you follow it, it works. Dr. Clark guarantees it.
What are the side effects?
Weight loss is a journey to living a healthy life and medication is a tool. Weight loss medications can be helpful in promoting and maintaining weight loss. However, there are side effects, so consider discussing the pros and cons. The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness, and low blood sugar in patients with diabetes. Some patients also experience fatigue and abdominal pain with Semiglutide. Semiglutide is the newest medication available, and the weight loss data look very promising at 15 % weight loss in about 50% of patients.