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Weight Management
GLP-1 therapies mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels. These treatments work by:
- Stimulating insulin release from the pancreas
- Reducing glucagon secretion (which lowers glucose production in the liver)
- Slowing gastric emptying, so you feel full longer
- Acting on brain centers that control your appetite and cravings
These effects help reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control, making managing weight safely and effectively easier.
Treatment typically starts at a low dose and gradually increases over several weeks. This gradual increase helps minimize side effects and allows your body to adjust. Your dosing plan will be made to suit you personally and regularly monitored to optimize your results.
Important Safety Considerations
- Not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
- Should not be combined with other GLP-1 therapies
- Avoid use if you have a personal or family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN2) or Medullary Thyroid Cancer.
- Discuss with your provider if you have a history of pancreatitis or kidney problems.
How GLP-1 Therapies Work
GLP-1 therapies support weight management through several mechanisms:
- Slowing stomach emptying to promote fullness with smaller meals
- Decreasing intestinal motility, prolonging the feeling of satiety
- Lowering blood sugar levels by reducing hepatic glucose production and increasing insulin secretion
- Reducing systemic inflammation, which encourages fat breakdown and overall metabolic health
Potential Side Effects of Weight Management Therapies
Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. They can adjust your treatment to reduce side effects and ensure your comfort.
GLP-1 therapies mimic a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels. These treatments work by:
- Stimulating insulin release from the pancreas
- Reducing glucagon secretion (which lowers glucose production in the liver)
- Slowing gastric emptying, so you feel full longer
- Acting on brain centers that control your appetite and cravings
These effects help reduce appetite and improve blood sugar control, making managing weight safely and effectively easier.
How GLP-1 Therapies Work
GLP-1 therapies support weight management through several mechanisms:
- Slowing stomach emptying to promote fullness with smaller meals
- Decreasing intestinal motility, prolonging the feeling of satiety
- Lowering blood sugar levels by reducing hepatic glucose production and increasing insulin secretion
- Reducing systemic inflammation, which encourages fat breakdown and overall metabolic health
Treatment typically starts at a low dose and gradually increases over several weeks. This gradual increase helps minimize side effects and allows your body to adjust. Your dosing plan will be made to suit you personally and regularly monitored to optimize your results.
Potential Side Effects of Weight Management Therapies
Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Acid reflux
- Abdominal discomfort
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you experience any of the aforementioned symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider. They can adjust your treatment to reduce side effects and ensure your comfort.
Important Safety Considerations
- Not suitable for people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis
- Should not be combined with other GLP-1 therapies
- Avoid use if you have a personal or family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 (MEN2) or Medullary Thyroid Cancer.
- Discuss with your provider if you have a history of pancreatitis or kidney problems.
Decreased appetite and cravings, weight-loss and improved Blood Glucose control.
What are GLP-1 weight loss medications?
A formulation of GLP-1 weight loss medications is a modified molecule our bodies make, called a GLP-1 analog. It works by increasing insulin production, lowering glucagon secretion, and targeting areas in the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. A small change in the molecule allows the medication to last weeks in our bodies rather than the natural version our bodies make, which lasts minutes.
How Do GLP-1 weight loss medications Work?
Delays how quickly our stomachs digest food, leading to a feeling of fullness and satisfaction with smaller meal sizes. Slows intestinal motility so you will feel fuller longer after meals. Lowers blood sugars, in part by reducing the production of sugar in the liver. Stimulates insulin secretion by the pancreas. Decreases inflammation throughout the body, which leads to Adiponectin release and fat lipolysis.
What Does The Dosing For GLP-1 weight loss medications Look Like?
The dosing for every patient starts at 0.25mg (5 units), and typically, we adjust the dose every 3-4 weeks. However, every patient will respond differently—some may increase faster, while others may remain at the same dose longer.
We like to explain formulations of GLP-1 weight loss medications as a lifestyle change. While on the medication, we want to ensure you are building healthier habits. For example, we encourage our patients to eat more protein and fewer carbs, exercise more, drink more water, and reduce alcohol consumption.
Every patient is different, and responses to treatment will vary. That’s why we schedule follow-up appointments to customize the program to your individual needs.
Weeks 1 – 4: 0.25 mg (5 units)
Weeks 5 – 8: 0.50 mg (10 units)
Weeks 9 – 12: 1.0 mg (20 units)
Weeks 13 – 16: 1.75 mg (35 units)
Weeks 16+: 2.5 mg (50 units)
What Are The Side Effects Of GLP-1 weight loss medications
The most common side effects are nausea and constipation. Other possible side effects include acid reflux, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience any of these symptoms, please inform your provider, as you may be on too high of a dose.
The risk of serious side effects increases in patients with hypoglycemia, kidney problems, or a history of allergic reactions. This medication is not insulin and should not be used if you have type 1 diabetes or develop diabetic ketoacidosis. Formulations of GLP-1 weight loss medications should not be used with any other GLP-1 medications.
Risk of thyroid c-cell tumors: Patients with a personal or family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 or Medullary Thyroid Cancer should not take formulations of GLP-1 weight loss medications. Additionally, patients with a history of pancreatitis should consult their medical provider, as using these medications may increase the risk of developing pancreatitis.
Why We Choose Strive Compounding Pharmacy
We choose Strive Compounding Pharmacy for our GLP-1 therapies because of its outstanding dedication to patient safety and satisfaction. Compared to standard pharmacies, Strive performs 26 extra quality control tests, ensuring the medications we prescribe are safe, effective, and consistent.
What makes Strive unique is the special formulation of its GLP-1 therapies. Their products include two key additives to support your health during weight loss:
- Glycine: This amino acid helps maintain muscle mass, preserving the strength and physique you’ve worked hard to achieve during your weight loss journey.
- Vitamin B12: Included in small amounts to help boost energy levels, supporting your overall wellness.
By partnering with Strive, we ensure you receive GLP-1 therapies that promote weight loss and support overall health and vitality.
GLP-1 weight loss medications are innovative, once-weekly injectable treatments that function as both GLP-1 receptor agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists. They enhance insulin production, reduce glucagon secretion, and target brain areas responsible for appetite regulation. A slight modification in their structure allows for an extended duration of action, making them effective for long-term weight management.
GLP-1 weight loss medications works through multiple mechanisms:
- Delays gastric emptying, promoting satiety with smaller portions
- Slows intestinal motility, extending the feeling of fullness
- Lowers blood sugar by reducing hepatic glucose production
- Stimulates pancreatic insulin secretion
- Increases energy expenditure through GIP receptor activation, contributing to weight loss
Primary Benefits
- Reduced appetite and food cravings
- Significant weight loss
- Improved A1C levels
- Enhanced cardiometabolic measures
GLP-1 weight loss medications: Dosing Schedule
The typical dose escalation for GLP-1 weight loss medications is as follows:
- Weeks 1-4: 2.5 mg (25 units)
- Weeks 5-8: 5 mg (50 units)
- Weeks 9-12: 7.5 mg (75 units)
- Weeks 13-16: 10 mg (100 units)
- Weeks 21-24: 15 mg (150 units)
The side effect profile of GLP-1 weight loss medications is similar across treatments. Common side effects include nausea and constipation, with less frequent occurrences of acid reflux, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you experience these symptoms, inform your healthcare provider, as they may indicate a need for dosage adjustment.
The risk of serious side effects is higher in patients with hypoglycemia, kidney issues, or a history of allergic reactions. GLP-1 weight loss medications are not suitable for individuals with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis and should not be used alongside other GLP-1 medications.
Important: Patients with a personal or family history of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome Type 2 or Medullary Thyroid Cancer should not use GLP-1 weight loss medications due to the risk of thyroid c-cell tumors. Those with a history of pancreatitis should consult their healthcare provider before starting treatment.
Decreased appetite and cravings. Weight loss. A1C reduction. Improved cardiometabolic measures.
What exactly is a GLP-1 therapy?
It’s a medication that mimics a hormone controlling appetite and blood sugar, helping reduce hunger and improve metabolism for weight management.
Why is muscle preservation important during weight loss?
Maintaining muscle mass helps keep your metabolism active, supports physical strength, and improves overall body composition during weight loss.
Why does Strive add glycine and vitamin B12 to its formulations?
Glycine helps protect your muscles, while vitamin B12 can boost energy, making the therapy more supportive of your overall health.
What should I expect during dose escalation?
Starting with a low dose helps minimize side effects like nausea. Your dose will be gradually increased to the most effective amount for you.
Who should avoid GLP-1 therapies?
Those with type 1 diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, certain thyroid cancers, or pancreatitis should not use these medications without close medical supervision.
People Also Ask
How do GLP-1 therapies reduce appetite?
They slow digestion and act on brain centers to reduce hunger signals, helping you eat less and feel full longer.
What benefits does Strive's unique formulation offer?
Strive’s GLP-1 therapies include glycine to help preserve muscle mass and vitamin B12 to boost energy, enhancing your weight loss journey.
How long does it take to see effects?
Many patients notice appetite reduction and weight loss within a few weeks, with ongoing improvements over months.
Book a consultation with us today if you are ready to take the next step in your weight management journey. Our collaboration with Strive Compounding Pharmacy means you’ll receive top-quality, safe, and thoughtfully enhanced GLP-1 therapies designed to support your health and goals.
Why “STRIVE”:
We choose to use Strive Compounding Pharmacy for our GLP1 needs because Strive is a Pharmacy that cares about our patients’ satisfaction. Strive tests their products for their potency and cleanliness 26 more times than other pharmacies. We want to know that our product is safe and effective and using Strive, we know that we can have that guarantee.
In addition to that, Strive compounds both of their GLP1’s (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide) with Glycine and B12. Glycine helps prevent muscle mass loss. We know you have worked so hard to get your body to where it is at, so with the additive of Glycine, it will help with preventing losing your muscle mass. There is a little amount of B12 in the compound as well, and B12 helps with energy!
Face & body aftercare instructions MORPHEUS8
NORMAL HEALING PROCESS INCLUDES
- Hot or stinging feeling at the treatment site. This should subside within a few hours but can last longer.
- Redness and swelling are normal. It can last a few hours or several days.
- Demarcations are a normal process that typically lasts a few days. You may not notice these at all, or you may have very prominent areas that look like red and raised with visible needle pinpoint scabbing. These can last a few days and, in some cases, up to six months.
- Histamine reactions can occur and involve raised and bumpy areas. This type of reaction is indicated by itching that can be mild or severe. Using the right post care can help prevent this reaction. Severe Itching can be managed with medications, please contact us if this occurs.
- Bruising can be common, especially around the eye area and neck. Bruises fade within 1- 2 weeks.
AFTERCARE INCLUDES
- Keep the treated area clean and protected with a thin layer of occlusive ointments such as Aquaphor or post laser ointments. You may resume your normal skincare routine after 32 hours. Sunscreen use resumes after 32 hours.
- Avoid sun exposure for up to 2 weeks or until any demarcations have faded. Darker skin tones need to be extra careful and avoid the sun for longer periods of time. Avoid retinol, AHA’s, and BHS’s for 2 weeks post treatment or until skin appears normal. Avoid self-tanning products until completely healed.
- Mild exercise is okay, avoid intense heated exercise or heavy sweating.
MANAGING COMPLICATIONS
- Itching is the most common side effect. Take any type of antihistamine or anti-allergy medication as directed. Hydrocortisone 1% OTC can also be used to aid in itching relief.
- Use a cold compress for swelling and seep slightly elevated. Demarcations can last a few days or as long as 1-6 months.
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