Medical Weight Loss with GLP-1 (Semaglutide and Tirzepatide)

What GLP-1 Medications Are

GLP-1 receptor agonists are prescription medications that mimic glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally releases after eating. WholeHealth offers physician-guided care using two FDA-approved options for chronic weight management: semaglutide and tirzepatide. Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, was approved by the FDA in June 2021 for chronic weight management. Tirzepatide, marketed as Zepbound, was approved by the FDA on November 8, 2023, and is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Both are approved as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults who meet clinical eligibility criteria. Unlike many peptides discussed elsewhere on this site, which remain investigational and are not FDA-approved, the GLP-1 medications on this page have full FDA approval for weight management when prescribed appropriately. This is still prescription medicine, and it is dispensed only after a licensed physician or nurse practitioner determines it is appropriate for you.

How GLP-1 Medications Work

GLP-1 medications are studied to support weight management through several mechanisms working together. They help regulate appetite and signal fullness, which may support eating less without the constant hunger that makes calorie reduction hard to sustain. These medications also slow gastric emptying, meaning food stays in the stomach longer, so you may feel satisfied sooner and for longer after meals. Tirzepatide adds a second pathway, GIP, that works alongside GLP-1. Because these medications influence appetite and metabolism rather than simply suppressing willpower, they are designed to support a broader plan. They are an adjunct to diet and exercise, not a replacement for them. Sustainable results come from pairing the medication with nutrition, movement, and habit change under ongoing physician guidance.

Who Is and Is Not a Candidate

Candidacy is determined by a licensed clinician during your consultation and good-faith medical exam, not by a checkbox online. In general, FDA-approved GLP-1 therapy for weight management is intended for adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who also have at least one weight-related condition. Your clinician reviews your full history, current medications, and goals before anything is prescribed. Certain conditions make GLP-1 medications inappropriate. These medications carry an FDA boxed warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents. They are contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2), and in people with a known serious hypersensitivity to the medication. This is not a complete list. Your clinician will screen for every contraindication and precaution that applies to you before deciding whether treatment is safe.

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2: not a candidate
• History of pancreatitis: requires careful evaluation and may make treatment inappropriate
• Pregnancy or planning pregnancy: GLP-1 weight-management medications are not used during pregnancy
• Other conditions your clinician identifies during screening may also apply

Honest Side Effects and Realistic Expectations

The most common side effects of GLP-1 medications are gastrointestinal. Nausea and GI upset are frequently reported, and other common effects can include diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. Many effects are more noticeable early in treatment and as doses increase, which is one reason clinicians start low and titrate slowly under monitoring. Serious side effects are less common but possible, which is why ongoing physician oversight matters. Results vary by individual, and we do not promise a number. For context and with attribution only: in the STEP 1 clinical trial, adults treated with semaglutide 2.4 mg lost on average 14.9 percent of body weight over 68 weeks, compared with 2.4 percent for placebo. In the SURMOUNT-1 trial, adults treated with tirzepatide lost on average up to 22.5 percent of body weight at the highest dose over 72 weeks. These are trial averages that will not predict your personal outcome, and both trials paired medication with diet and exercise. We share these figures so you can make an informed decision, never as a guarantee. Your response depends on your biology, your dose, your adherence, and the lifestyle changes you make alongside treatment.

The Physician-Guided Process

Every WholeHealth weight-management journey begins with a medical consultation, not a purchase. During that visit, a licensed physician or nurse practitioner performs a good-faith medical exam, reviews your history and labs where indicated, and screens you for eligibility and contraindications. If GLP-1 therapy is appropriate for you, your clinician creates an individualized prescription and starts you at a conservative dose, adjusting over time based on how you respond and tolerate the medication. You are monitored throughout, with follow-up built into the plan so your care team can manage side effects and support your progress. Because this is real medicine with real risks and benefits, the relationship is ongoing. This page is educational and is not medical advice. If you experience a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate care.