By: Ariana Walker
Losing weight is a journey that many individuals embark on the improve their health. The decision to lose weight often stems from various motivations, such as improving overall well-being and preventing chronic diseases. when it comes to losing weight it can be hard for some and easy for others.
Because it can be hard sometimes for some people they may go to the doctor and get extra help to lose weight. The two top brands that are on the market right now are Ozempic and Mounjaro which both are shots. Both of these weekly injections also play a pivotal role in diabetes management.
“I prescribe both of these medicines pretty much every day I have done obesity medicine for almost over twenty years now as a nurse practitioner,” Jodi Hannah said. Both of these medicines were only for people with diabetes doctors saw patients losing weight. And wanted to try it out for weight loss.
Both of the medicines were approved by the Food and Drug Administration to have higher doses and wanting to use it for obesity. Mounjaro has a very significant effect on weight loss more than Ozempic does. With both medications, patients have to give themselves a shot once a week in the stomach to inject the medicine. When taking both of the medications it will curve the patient’s appetite.
The question that gets asked the most is will the weight come back if patients stop using the medicine. Most of the time the answer will be yes unless patients can maintain the eating habits they had before getting off of the medicine. They can’t just go back to eating McDonald's and Wendy's every day. Because there was medicine to help curve your appetite now it’s just back to normal. Most doctors will let patients stay on the medicine just so they can maintain their weight even if they stop losing weight at a fast pace.
When it comes to the prices for these medications it depends on the patient’s insurance. Some patients are blessed to where their insurance will cover the whole cost of the medication.
Others will have to come out of pocket of their own money to receive the product. For some people who pay out of pocket, Mounjaro can cost at least $1,000.
Some people will have side effects from the medications but it won't last long because it only when you are begin to just start taking the medicine. The most common one will be feeling nausea and loss of appetite. Some other ones would be tiredness and vomiting.
“My Experience with Ozempic has been great so far I have lost 40 pounds and it has really help me curve my appetite as a patient that takes the medication,” Babara Colman said.
Throughout this journey, individuals learn to make healthier choices, both in terms of nutrition and physical activity and develop a deeper understanding of their bodies. Both Medicines are great medicines for weight loss patients should see them if they are thinking about taking them.