From A to Zepbound: What to Know About These Popular New Weight Loss Drugs

Magazines, TV ads, your social media feed, and even the news seem to scream out a new “miracle” weight loss solution every week — how can you sift through the hype and myths and get to the truth?

You can turn to the medical experts who study weight loss daily and put its principles into action.

At North Texas Med360, Dr. Yamuna Gurrapu, Board-Certified in Internal and Obesity Medicine, leads our team of medical weight loss specialists: Jenine Referente, FNP-C, and our Ideal Protein coach, Lynda Mullings. In addition to personalized guidance and supervised therapies, Dr. Yamuna Gurrapu may prescribe groundbreaking weight-loss medications.

When is medication the right move in weight loss?

If you’ve attempted to lose weight through diet changes and exercise without significant results, these medications may offer a new avenue. Under our expert medical supervision, they assist in weight loss more efficiently and safely. 

However, it’s crucial to approach these options with caution and accurate information. This choice should come after careful consideration and consultation with Dr. Yamuna Gurrapu, as these medications are part of a broader weight management strategy rather than a standalone or instantaneous solution.

Here’s a look at the weight loss medications we prescribe and how they work.

Contrave®

First up in our foray into the pharmacological approach to weight loss is Contrave, a combination of naltrexone and bupropion. It operates as an appetite suppressant, impacting the brain’s hunger control center to decrease cravings and portion sizes. 

Though no magic bullet, studies have shown a more significant weight loss among individuals who consumed Contrave versus those who took a placebo.

Mounjaro®

Mounjaro is a significant advancement in treating type 2 diabetes and weight management. It takes a multifaceted approach to controlling blood sugar levels and promoting weight loss by mimicking the actions of two hormones that regulate blood sugar and appetite. 

When blood sugar levels rise, Mounjaro stimulates your body to release insulin, the hormone that transports sugar from the blood into cells. This process not only lowers blood sugar levels but also reduces the amount of sugar your liver produces and releases — one of the root causes of elevated blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

Mounjaro also affects appetite and digestion. It slows down the rate at which your stomach empties, leading to a prolonged feeling of fullness and reduced food intake. Please note, we will only prescribe Mounjaro to patients that are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic®

Ozempic (semaglutide) also hails from the diabetes management field, where it garnered a reputation for stabilizing blood sugar levels and shedding unwanted pounds. It belongs to the class of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a hormone that slows digestion, which can lead to the feeling of fullness with less food.

By acting on the GLP-1 receptors, Ozempic not only lowers blood glucose levels but also slows gastric emptying, meaning it takes longer for the stomach to empty its contents into the intestine, leading to a prolonged feeling of fullness. 

While Ozempic isn’t FDA-approved for weight loss, it does help reduce overall caloric intake, making it easier to achieve and maintain a calorie deficit necessary for weight loss. Please note, we will only prescribe Ozempic to patients that are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy®

Wegovy, another form of semaglutide, operates similarly to Ozempic but extends its benefits with enhanced convenience and efficacy. It uses a higher dose of the GLP-1 hormone, slowing digestion and inducing a longer sensation of fullness. 

The comparison with Ozempic — primarily recognized for its role in diabetes care that incidentally aids in weight loss —  highlights Wegovy’s focused approach to obesity. While both medications bind to the same GLP-1 receptors to promote satiety and reduce appetite, Wegovy’s formulation sustains its release and effects over a more extended period. Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss, whereas Ozempic is not.

Zepbound®

While Zepbound contains the same active ingredient as Mounjaro, tirzepatide, Mounjaro is only FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes. Zepbound is FDA-approved for weight loss. Zepbound targets specific metabolic pathways that influence appetite and fat storage. What sets Zepbound apart is its ability to decrease hunger and optimize fat metabolism. 

Is weight loss medication right for you?

Although weight loss medications can be effective in your journey, they aren’t safe for everyone. Each has side effects and contraindications, so we perform a thorough examination and dive into your medical history before prescribing them.

To determine whether you’re a good candidate for these innovative weight loss drugs, call North Texas Med360 in Frisco, Texas, or book online.