Answers to Common Questions
about the New Class of
Weight Loss Medications that
include Ozempic® and Mounjaro®.

Hayley DeGraaff, MD

Owner, Medical Director
Advanced Life Clinic

What makes Ozempic/the GLP-1 inhibitors different?

Most of the weight loss medications prior to the GLP-1 inhibitors were stimulant based and worked in the brain and were not very effective. They worked for a short period of time, but most people would develop a tolerance for the medications before they reached their goals. This is the first truly new class of weight loss medication. They work on a totally different mechanism – in the gut – to modify gastrointestinal hormones to lower appetite, raise satiety (how fast you feel full) and help regulate insulin levels, which is why they are so successful for diabetics.

“Are they safe?”

In this case we get the best of both worlds – both safe and effective – it’s truly miraculous. With previous weight loss medication, people would lose 2% of their body weight. These medications allow people to lose 15, 20, even in some cases 25% of their body weight safely.

*Nearly anyone can take these medications, even those who have had weight loss surgery, those with heart conditions and diabetes.

“What are the side effects?”

There can be nausea. It rarely progresses to full on vomiting. I tell my female patients it is similar to morning sickness. Sometimes patients experience constipation. Because it works in the gut, most of the side effects are G.I. related. We can actually prescribe anti-nausea medication for relief. The nausea improves the longer you’re on it.

“How much can I lose?”

We have patients that are losing close to 100 pounds. Our typical patient loses somewhere between 30 and 40 pounds. Prior to this, it wasn’t (generally) possible to lose that amount of weight without surgery.

“Why are there so many names for the two drugs?”

The brand name Ozempic® came out first for diabetes. Patients were losing weight, so the company approached the FDA to see if it could be approved for weight loss. They launched under another name to differentiate whether it was being prescribed for diabetes or weight loss. For weight loss, it’s the same drug, same box, different label, they call it Wegovy®. A second company did the same, introducing Mounjaro® for diabetics, and getting the second approval for weight loss, launching Zepbound®.

“I’ve heard it’s expensive, and it’s hard to get.”

There are supply chain issues. Sometimes patients have to drive out of their geographic area to find it. We’ve been able to overcome the shortages with the compounded forms we dispense from the office. This is allowed through the FDA because of the nationwide shortage. If you can’t find the dose you need at your pharmacy, you may be able get it from us until the supply catches up. I think we will see ongoing shortages because insurance is starting to cover more, making it more accessible.

The out-of-pocket cost with no insurance is going to be close to $1,000 per month. But I would say 75% of our patients are getting covered either for Type 2 diabetes or for weight loss.

Will I gain the weight back?

I manage that expectation from the beginning – you may be on and off this medication indefinitely. The medications are FDA approved for long term use. Typically, patients can take breaks from it, or space out their dosages. The normal dose is weekly. We’re finding people can go to every other week or every third week (thereby lowering the cost as well.). There is no permanent method of weight loss. Managing obesity is no different than managing other diseases. It’s a chronic condition. I tell people upfront, it’s something we’re going to have to manage long-term.

*Before initiating any new medications, it is essential to consult with a qualified medical professional to provide personalized advice based on your specific health condition, medical history, and any potential interactions with other medications.