Losing weight is hard. Many people try diet and exercise but still struggle. Now, there are shots that can help. Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are two medicines that help people lose a lot of weight. These shots work better than any weight loss pills we’ve had before. Most people who take these shots lose between 10% and 20% of their weight. That means if you weigh 200 pounds, you might lose 20 to 40 pounds. These medicines work best when you also eat healthy foods and stay active.

What Are Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are medicines that come as shots. You take them once a week under your skin. A doctor or nurse can teach you how to give yourself the shot at home.

Semaglutide Names

Semaglutide has two brand names:

• Wegovy – used for weight loss
• Ozempic – used for diabetes

Tirzepatide Names

Tirzepatide also has two brand names:

• Zepbound – used for weight loss
• Mounjaro – used for diabetes

Both medicines were first made to help people with diabetes. Now doctors also use them to help people lose weight. The FDA (the group that checks if medicines are safe) said these shots are OK to use for weight loss.

How These Weight Loss Shots Work

These shots work like a hormone your body already makes. This hormone tells your brain when you’re full and helps control your blood sugar.

How Semaglutide Works

Semaglutide acts like a hormone called GLP-1. When you take it:

• You feel less hungry
• You feel full faster when eating
• Food moves through your stomach slower
• Your blood sugar stays more steady

It’s like having a helper that tells your brain, “You’re not hungry anymore!”

How Tirzepatide Works

Tirzepatide works in two ways:

• It acts like GLP-1 (just like Semaglutide)
• It also acts like another hormone called GIP

Because it works in two ways, Tirzepatide often helps people lose more weight than Semaglutide.

Which Shot Works Better For Weight Loss?

When doctors tested these shots, they found that both help people lose weight. But one works a bit better than the other.

Semaglutide Results

• People lost about 15% of their weight after about 68 weeks
• That means if you weigh 200 pounds, you might lose about 30 pounds
• About 1 in 3 people lost at least 20% of their weight

Tirzepatide Results

• People lost about 15% to 20% of their weight after about 72 weeks
• That means if you weigh 200 pounds, you might lose about 30 to 40 pounds
• About 1 in 2 people lost at least 20% of their weight

Side-By-Side Comparison

When doctors tested both shots at the same time:

• People taking Tirzepatide lost about 20% of their weight
• People taking Semaglutide lost about 14% of their weight
• Tirzepatide helped people lose more weight according to head-to-head studies

Who Can Take These Weight Loss Shots?

These shots aren’t for everyone. Your doctor will check if they’re right for you.

These Shots Might Be Right For You If:

• You have too much weight (BMI over 30)
• You have some extra weight (BMI over 27) AND health problems like:
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Sleep apnea
  • Type 2 diabetes
• You have tried diet and exercise but still struggle to lose weight
• You don’t have any health problems that make these shots unsafe

These Shots Are Not Right For You If:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding
• You have had a certain type of thyroid cancer
• You have a serious stomach problem
• You have had pancreatitis (a painful problem with your pancreas)
• You are allergic to these medicines

Side Effects You Should Know About

Like all medicines, these shots can cause side effects. Most side effects are mild and get better over time.

Common Side Effects

• Upset stomach – This is the most common problem
• Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea)
• Throwing up
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Feeling tired

How To Deal With Side Effects

• Start with a low dose and slowly take more (your doctor will help with this)
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid fatty or spicy foods
• Drink plenty of water
• Tell your doctor if side effects bother you a lot

Serious Side Effects

These don’t happen often, but call your doctor right away if you have:

• Very bad stomach pain that doesn’t go away
• Throwing up a lot
• Signs of an allergic reaction like rash or trouble breathing
• Yellow skin or eyes
• Very dark pee

How To Start These Weight Loss Shots

If you think these shots might help you, talk to your doctor.

What Happens At Your Doctor Visit

• Your doctor will check your weight and health
• They will ask about other medicines you take
• They will talk about the good things and bad things about these shots
• They may do some blood tests
• If the shots are right for you, they will write a prescription

How To Take The Shots

• You will start with a low dose
• Every few weeks, you’ll take a little more
• This helps your body get used to the medicine
• You’ll take a shot once a week
• Your doctor or nurse will show you how to give yourself the shot at home

Cost And Insurance For Weight Loss Shots

These shots can be expensive. Here’s what you should know:

How Much These Shots Cost

• Without insurance, these shots cost about $500 to $1,300 per month
• Semaglutide (Wegovy) costs about $500 per month
• Tirzepatide (Zepbound) costs about $1,000 per month
• Current pricing can be checked at ValuePenguin’s cost comparison

Insurance Coverage

• Some insurance plans pay for these shots
• Medicare usually doesn’t pay for weight loss shots
• Your doctor’s office can check if your insurance will help pay
• If your insurance won’t pay, ask about:
  • Savings cards from the drug makers
  • Patient assistance programs
  • Other ways to get help paying

Healthy Habits To Use With Weight Loss Shots

These shots work best when you also make healthy choices. Here are things that help:

Healthy Eating Tips

• Eat lots of vegetables and fruits
• Choose whole grains like brown rice
• Eat lean protein like chicken and fish
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks
• Use smaller plates to help control portions
• Eat slowly and stop when you feel full

Stay Active Tips

• Try to move your body for 30 minutes most days
• Walk, swim, bike, or dance – whatever you enjoy
• Start slow if you haven’t been active
• Add strength training 2-3 times a week
• Even small amounts of activity help
• Learn more at Mayo Clinic’s weight loss support page

Track Your Progress

• Weigh yourself once a week (not every day)
• Notice how your clothes fit
• Keep track of how you feel
• Write down your food and activity if it helps you

What Happens When You Stop Taking Shots

It’s important to know what happens if you stop taking these shots.

Weight After Stopping

• Most people gain some weight back if they stop the shots
• People often gain back about two-thirds of the weight they lost
• Healthy habits help you keep more weight off

Long-Term Plan

• Talk to your doctor about how long to take the shots
• Some people may need to take them for many years
• Work with your doctor on a plan for when you stop
• Focus on building healthy habits that will last

Success Stories: Real People Using These Shots

Many people have had success with these weight loss shots. Here are some examples:

Sarah’s Story

Sarah tried many diets but couldn’t lose weight. She started Semaglutide shots and lost 50 pounds in 10 months. She says, “I feel full faster and don’t think about food all day. I can play with my kids without getting tired.”

Michael’s Story

Michael has diabetes and needed to lose weight. He tried Tirzepatide shots and lost 70 pounds in a year. His diabetes got better too. He says, “The first few weeks I felt a little sick, but that went away. Now I can walk up stairs without getting out of breath.”

How To Talk To Your Doctor

If you want to try these shots, here’s how to talk to your doctor:

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• “Am I a good fit for weight loss shots?”
• “Which shot might work better for me?”
• “What side effects might I have?”
• “How much weight might I lose?”
• “Will my insurance cover these shots?”
• “How long would I need to take them?”

What To Tell Your Doctor

• Your weight history
• Diets you’ve tried before
• Other health problems you have
• All medicines you take
• If you might get pregnant
• Your goals for weight loss

Final Thoughts

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are helping many people lose weight when diet and exercise alone haven’t worked. These shots aren’t magic pills, they work best when you also eat healthy foods and stay active. They can cause side effects, mostly stomach problems, but these often get better over time.

Tirzepatide helps people lose slightly more weight than Semaglutide. But both work much better than older weight loss medicines. These shots can be expensive, and not all insurance plans cover them.

If you struggle with weight and want to know if these shots might help you, talk to your doctor at Yorktown Health Vernon Hills. We can help you decide if they’re right for you and make a plan that fits your needs and goals. Remember, healthy weight loss takes time, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We’re here to support you on your journey to better health.