Disclaimer: The content on this page and in this program is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your physician before starting any diet or exercise program.
The "Truth" About the Weight Loss Injections Ozempic and Mounjaro
As many of you know, I have extensive experience with using weight loss injections both personally and with hundreds of patients over the past few years. Since headlines abound in the news (including a lot of misinformation) about Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), I now feel inclined to give my overall impression of these injections.
I would say that first and foremost these medications are serious medicines with significant potential side effects and shouldn't be taken lightly. If you are considering using these medicines, you should consult with someone with extensive experience with them and who informs you of all the risks, including potential cancer risks, in detail. I have often seen that patients have started on these medicines without being told about many of the risks (for more information on risks/benefits, see this article). They then are surprised when I bring up the risks associated with taking these medicines. Be wary of any doctor that prescribes these medicines or their compounded versions (semaglutide, tirzepatide) according to a predefined protocol. The dosage of these medicines should be individualized and personalized to your experience and you should expect regular follow-up visits to assess the side effects and benefits of these medicines.
Do these injections actually work for weight loss?
The answer for me and most patients is a resounding yes. Some of the key benefits can include decreased appetite, discomfort from overeating, and altered taste. However, there are a small minority of patients that they don't seem to work that well for. In my experience, this is especially true of patients that have previously used weight-loss medicines like Adipex or who currently take ADHD medicines. I have also seen that some patients at higher weights need higher dosages to obtain the same efficacy.
Will I lose twenty pounds a month?
There is a common misconception, probably attributable to social media sites like TikTok, that you are guaranteed to lose large amounts of weight from these injections every month. You almost certainly will not lose 20 pounds every month. In my experience, most patients lose 2-7 pounds per month depending on their effort level and starting weight. If someone is more consistent and focused, they sometimes can lose more weight.
Will I gain weight back after I stop the injections?
Unfortunately, these medicines do not prevent weight regain. I gained a significant amount of weight back after I stopped using these injections and many others do as well. It is because of this possibility that it has become increasingly evident that this medicine should be used not only to help people lose weight, but also to help maintain weight. This weight maintenance period could potentially last months or years, depending on the individual. Of the individuals that have been successful in not only losing weight but keeping it off long-term, the vast majority have incorporated a weight maintenance period while using the injections.
Can I lose weight on these medications even if I don't eat better and develop good habits?
You most likely will lose some weight even if you don't change your diet or habits very much. This is because these injections often strongly disincentivize overeating which may help you lose weight even if you eat the same foods. However, if you want a lot more success while taking these medications and long-term success after stopping these medications, it will be key to develop better diet and eating habits.
Will I experience persistent side effects after stopping these injections?
Outside the undefined risk of cancer, it is not common for patients to experience residual side effects after stopping these injections. The only exception to this that I have seen is that, on occasion, someone may experience persistent bowel irregularities like constipation after stopping these injections. I have not seen withdrawal side effects.
Do these injections burn calories or give me energy?
This is another misconception. These injections do not burn calories or give you energy. They only help you eat more moderately and aid consistency. To get the most out of these medicines, you will need to work hard on your diet and consistency. These medicines usually will only help to some degree.
Aren't these "new" drugs? How can we possibly know all the side effects?
The family of medicines called GLP-1 agonists, of which Ozempic and Mounjaro are members, have been around since 2005. While this group of medicines is not really old, they are also not brand new. After about 20 years of usage, at this point we know many of their benefits and side effects, although some things are yet to be fully elucidated, like cancer risk.
Do I recommend these injections?
This is a very common question that comes up. I always respond by saying that all decisions about taking medication should be taken after careful consideration of risks, benefits, and alternatives. While the benefit from losing weight with the aid of these injections may exceed the risk for many individuals, it will not be the case for everyone. In addition, if the same result can be reliably obtained without medication, then forgoing the medicine is always preferable. There is also the question of budget. Even semaglutide and tirzepatide (generic versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro) require significant financial commitments from most people.
If you are interested in considering these medications or have questions feel free to call our office or schedule a consultation.
I would say that first and foremost these medications are serious medicines with significant potential side effects and shouldn't be taken lightly. If you are considering using these medicines, you should consult with someone with extensive experience with them and who informs you of all the risks, including potential cancer risks, in detail. I have often seen that patients have started on these medicines without being told about many of the risks (for more information on risks/benefits, see this article). They then are surprised when I bring up the risks associated with taking these medicines. Be wary of any doctor that prescribes these medicines or their compounded versions (semaglutide, tirzepatide) according to a predefined protocol. The dosage of these medicines should be individualized and personalized to your experience and you should expect regular follow-up visits to assess the side effects and benefits of these medicines.
Do these injections actually work for weight loss?
The answer for me and most patients is a resounding yes. Some of the key benefits can include decreased appetite, discomfort from overeating, and altered taste. However, there are a small minority of patients that they don't seem to work that well for. In my experience, this is especially true of patients that have previously used weight-loss medicines like Adipex or who currently take ADHD medicines. I have also seen that some patients at higher weights need higher dosages to obtain the same efficacy.
Will I lose twenty pounds a month?
There is a common misconception, probably attributable to social media sites like TikTok, that you are guaranteed to lose large amounts of weight from these injections every month. You almost certainly will not lose 20 pounds every month. In my experience, most patients lose 2-7 pounds per month depending on their effort level and starting weight. If someone is more consistent and focused, they sometimes can lose more weight.
Will I gain weight back after I stop the injections?
Unfortunately, these medicines do not prevent weight regain. I gained a significant amount of weight back after I stopped using these injections and many others do as well. It is because of this possibility that it has become increasingly evident that this medicine should be used not only to help people lose weight, but also to help maintain weight. This weight maintenance period could potentially last months or years, depending on the individual. Of the individuals that have been successful in not only losing weight but keeping it off long-term, the vast majority have incorporated a weight maintenance period while using the injections.
Can I lose weight on these medications even if I don't eat better and develop good habits?
You most likely will lose some weight even if you don't change your diet or habits very much. This is because these injections often strongly disincentivize overeating which may help you lose weight even if you eat the same foods. However, if you want a lot more success while taking these medications and long-term success after stopping these medications, it will be key to develop better diet and eating habits.
Will I experience persistent side effects after stopping these injections?
Outside the undefined risk of cancer, it is not common for patients to experience residual side effects after stopping these injections. The only exception to this that I have seen is that, on occasion, someone may experience persistent bowel irregularities like constipation after stopping these injections. I have not seen withdrawal side effects.
Do these injections burn calories or give me energy?
This is another misconception. These injections do not burn calories or give you energy. They only help you eat more moderately and aid consistency. To get the most out of these medicines, you will need to work hard on your diet and consistency. These medicines usually will only help to some degree.
Aren't these "new" drugs? How can we possibly know all the side effects?
The family of medicines called GLP-1 agonists, of which Ozempic and Mounjaro are members, have been around since 2005. While this group of medicines is not really old, they are also not brand new. After about 20 years of usage, at this point we know many of their benefits and side effects, although some things are yet to be fully elucidated, like cancer risk.
Do I recommend these injections?
This is a very common question that comes up. I always respond by saying that all decisions about taking medication should be taken after careful consideration of risks, benefits, and alternatives. While the benefit from losing weight with the aid of these injections may exceed the risk for many individuals, it will not be the case for everyone. In addition, if the same result can be reliably obtained without medication, then forgoing the medicine is always preferable. There is also the question of budget. Even semaglutide and tirzepatide (generic versions of Ozempic and Mounjaro) require significant financial commitments from most people.
If you are interested in considering these medications or have questions feel free to call our office or schedule a consultation.