Weight Loss
Weight Loss Strategies
Many people are looking to lose weight or struggle with chronic weight management. Proper weight management has many health benefits and should always be done properly. Weight loss comes down to solving an equation. Calories burned need to be more than calories consumed. Proper diet and exercise are the best way to maintain both a healthy weight but also provide overall physical benefits. A good support system is also a crucial part of a healthy lifestyle. For some people, despite their best efforts, they are unable to achieve target weight goals on their own. For some people, medication may be helpful.
What are GLP1s?
GLP1 medications (Glucagon Like Peptide 1 agonists). Without getting too deep, these medications work in basically 4 ways.
- Increase insulin release from your pancreas
- Inhibit glucagon release
- Suppress appetite
- Slow gastric emptying
The two most popular GLP1s used to assist in weight loss are Semaglutide and Tirzepatide.
What are my compounded options?
Sublingual
At John’s Pharmacy we have formulated a compounded liquid sublingual (under the tongue) form of the drug. Same drug, different formulation. A compound is when a pharmacy takes an available form of a drug and changes the dosage form or strength to customize the final product for the patient. Our formulation contains either semaglutide or tirzpetide. This compound is made “in house” at our local pharmacies by our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Injectable
We have been asked for many months to offer an injectable form of semaglutide and tirzepatide. Unlike the liquid form, an injection must be made in a sterile environment. Until recently, we have been unable to offer this solution. Recently we partnered with a 503B pharmacy in Florida to be able to provide this solution to our patients. A 503B pharmacy is a pharmacy that compounds in large volumes and is inspected and approved by the FDA. We needed to make sure the product we are offering our patients is one that we could trust, so you could trust it. Each batch received comes with a Certificate of Analysis showing the chemical composition of the active ingredient. It also comes with potency and sterility testing from an independent lab. This shows that what you are prescribed is what you are injecting. Safety and accuracy are critical to us. We want you to know where your medication comes from and to be assured that there are no surprises.
What is the Dosage and How Does is It Supplied?
Sublingual
The sublingual medication comes in a 30ml amber glass bottle with a graduated 1ml oral syringe. It should be shaken before use. If you are taking semaglutide or tirzepatide for the first time, you will be instructed to begin with a titration as directed by your provider. This means that you will start with a smaller dose and increase after 7 or so days. Titrating this medication helps to reduce gastrointestinal side effects and nausea. Do not use higher doses than stated on your prescription label. It does not matter what time of day you administer the medication, and it can be taken with or without food.
Injectable
The injectable medication comes in a 2ml vial. It must be drawn into a syringe based on the directions from your prescriber and injected under the skin once a week. Typically, a low dose is initiated, and you increase the dose monthly. The slow taper helps to reduce the potential side effects of the medication.
What Are the Side Effects?
The most common side effects include gastrointestinal related symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These side effects may be more common after initiation and during dose escalation. Extreme sensitivity reactions such as rash, trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth, face, or throat should be reported to your prescriber immediately. Low blood sugar can occur and is marked by signs of dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, change in eyesight, or sweating. Discontinuing the use of the medication may be necessary should these reactions occur. Always consult your prescriber or pharmacist before stopping any medication.
How Do I Get a Compounded Medication?
All compounded medications are available by prescription only from your physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant. We have created a template for them here. You may print and take this form to your appointment to discuss if this medication is appropriate for you. The completed prescription can then be brought to any John’s Pharmacy location to be filled.
Disclaimers
By FDA definition, no compounded medication has been tested for safety or efficacy. While we do our best to follow compounding best practices, we do not perform the same testing as a drug manufacturer.
If you’re ready to try Semaglutide as a weight loss option, please fill out the form below. We’ll get in touch with you to make the appropriate recommendations.