I couldn’t read it either. Thanks for offering it up though. Maybe someone can post some of the highlights.
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From the article referenced above:
Key breakthrough
The breakthrough has been the advent of innovative medications, notably semaglutide (sold under the brand names Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight management) and tirzepatide (sold under the brand names Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight management). In clinical trials with tirzepatide, an unprecedented 60% of patients achieved a substantial 20% reduction in weight, a contrast to older therapies and lifestyle interventions, where about 5% to 15% of patients lost this amount of weight.
In other words, before these drugs, if you are a person who weighs 200 pounds, the chances of you losing 40 pounds and not gaining it back with lifestyle changes alone has been only 5% to 10% (or 15% with previous medications). If you have been one of the lucky treatment responders, good for you! Yet society somehow believes that almost everyone can lose this much weight with a diet or exercise program. The other 85% to 95% are believed not to have the willpower.
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Beyond weight loss
As noted, the importance of these drugs goes well beyond weight loss, as crucial as that is for many people. Data from the so-called Select trial—a study of over 17,000 patients with obesity and known cardiovascular disease—found a strong correlation between the use of semaglutide for obesity treatment and a remarkable 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. This is akin to the effects observed with statins in cardiovascular disease prevention.
The Select trial findings also shed light on the potential protective effects of activating the GLP-1 receptor in the human body. Researchers found that for those on the drug, there were cardiovascular benefits even before significant weight reduction—underscoring the need to reframe obesity treatment as a chronic disease, shattering the archaic perception of episodic, short-term solutions centered on intermittent dieting.
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Thank you for these summaries.
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You’re more than welcome.
Weight is a very sensitive subject. Today, no one would suggest a grapefruit or cabbage soup diet for weight loss. Our bodies are all wired differently. I was overweight before and it was because I ate donuts and fast food to feel better. This time, the weight gain is in spite of good habits. It’s always good to remember that you never know what someone else is going through.
Edited to add that my paragraph was not directed at anyone in particular, just general thoughts. I hope that was clear!
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Gifted article.
Edited to note: the author of this article runs an obesity medicine practice through in person and telemedicine. A refreshing approach to the often deflating doctor visit scenario.
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I just had my annual physical and my a1c was 7.8%. It’s never been over 7, to the surprise of many docs who just assumed that I was diabetic. Historically, my a1c very much follows my weight, and hovers between 5.7 and 6.5. My doc actually suggested going on one of these meds, as they are protective of my heart, will lower my a1c, and help me lose weight. My doc is not normally one to push this kind of thing, so I took notice.
I had lost a large amount of weight abut ten years ago (it took me three years, doing it the right way) and I kept it off for several years after that. Also have dealt with PCOS and metabolic syndrome, so there are legit hormonal issues going on, too. My metabolism is terrible. I re-lost 40 lbs last year doing low-carb and as soon as I tried to modify a little bit, it came right back.
Unfortunately, my weight has crept back up, thanks to lots of significant orthopedic problems that have kept me from exercising. All of this is to say that I should be able to get approved, given my complicated medical history. I need to be healthier. Bariatric surgery is not an option.
I can barely walk these days. I need tendon surgery because my right knee replacement messed up my gait and spinal stenosis so badly that tendons in my left foot are torn. My ortho also wants to replace my left knee. I’m not ready to go through that again; that knee is nowhere as impaired as the right one was. My hands, arms and shoulders are getting trashed from overuse to compensate for the knee and back.
My H has been on Ozempic for about 18 months, secondary to Metformin and an attempt at lowering his numbers on Jardiance. His a1c was at 13.4% at dx, is now in the 8s even with taking two meds. His mom died of diabetes at age 67. He will take meds, but will not change his diet or even attempt exercise. (sigh) Was really nauseous at first on Ozempic, is better now, but still has GI upsets periodically. Has not lost any weight on it.
Your post is such a good example that:
- There is a time and place for meds for weight loss management AND better health
- Weight struggles can be a life long issue for many beyond the steps some other people could do to balance weight gain.
- Quality of life is important. Food is part of that. These meds can help some people achieve both quality of life and quality of health.
I hope your decision is one that makes your quality of life and your health more positive!
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It does sound like your health situation and husband’s are probably the original main intention of these meds. (Too bad your husband is not more keen on improved lifestyle factors too. Alas, I know a few other people who are the same way).
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I’d like to start taking either Zepbound or Wegovy in January (have not taken either, or anything like them, in the past.) Don’t have a prescription in hand but think I meet the specs and my regular doc would prescribe. Don’t expect it to be insurance covered but can afford out-of-pocket. My relatively strong preference is for Zepbound (it seems the better of the two), but I’d be open to Wegovy as a fallback.
Last I inquired into this was ~early Nov., and I’m sure supply situations are changing. But, back then:
- My local pharmacy said Wegovy had been on backorder/out-of-stock for months, especially the starter doses.
- The pharmacist was unfamiliar with Zepbound (it was a bit newer then, FWIW).
Web searching at the time suggests a ~10-15% variance across pharmacies in Wegovy pricing. I’ve heard about coupons and such, and would at least consider those, but again, I can afford it at full price, just don’t want to burn money.
I’m not interested in compounded, nor especially in using the alternate brand name versions (Ozempic, Maunjovy).
Is it possible now (or will it likely be in January or February) to obtain brand-name Zepbound or Wegovy via standard/legitimate channels? If so, how best to obtain it reliably and at a competitive price?
It depends on your location and where you fill it.
I transferred my script from Mounjaro to Zepbound & picked up the first box Dec. 5, which was, I believe, the first week it was available.
My doctor accidentally sent the script to Walmart, not my regional supermarket pharmacy (which has better prices, believe it or not). And I got a msg from WM that it was on back order
Meanwhile, my regional pharmacist had it ready the next day.
If you don’t go to the major chains, and if you live in not-NYC, e.g, I think your chances are better. I have never, in 12 months, not had the script ready for me when I called it in.
(I would start with Zepbound, fwiw. Tirzepatide has a much more effective result, overall, than semaglutide)
Also! Ask your doctor for sample packs! Mine had a starter pack - a one-month supply of the starting 2.5mg dose – that he gave me for free.
Oh, another edit:
If you have health insurance but it doesn’t cover these drugs for obesity, you can get a coupon from the manufacturer that brings the cost of Zepbound down to $550.
details here.
After almost a year paying full price, my script was only $550 and it was such a relief
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I have been waiting on Wegovy since mid-October. hoping it will be available soon. Otherwise I need to look into pricing and insurance approval to try to move the prescription to something else.
My pharmacy obviously doesn’t stock Zepbound but were able to get it in 2 days. My insurance doesn’t cover these meds but I downloaded the savings card from Eli Lilly and my cost was $550.
I took Mounjaro (The same drug) weekly for 5 months then every 2 weeks for 4 months and now every 3 weeks to maintain my loss. In that year I lost 100 pounds feel much better and at $550 I can afford 1 box lasting me 3 months.
They can change the terms of the savings card at any time but as of today it’s good until Dec 2024
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Would you mind sharing with me what kind of effect you get from taking the drug wvery 3 weeks? Is the appetite supression relatively stable for that entire 3 weeks, or is there a noticeable tapering off after the first week or so?
It tapers off. The first 2 weeks works really well and that third week my sweet tooth returns. (But it’s still easier to resist the chocolate) But thankfully my weight has been stable for months now.
The drugs half life is 5 days so when it’s taken weekly it builds on itself and one dose is totally gone in about 25 days.
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Thank you!
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/20/health/older-weight-loss-drugs/index.html
This article is fascinating. The hoops some people have to jump through to be able to afford these drugs or get around shortages.
Gift link (as usual, the comments are filled with judgment from the callous):
That’s a great article thank you for sharing. I can say that within 2 weeks of me starting Mounjaro my joint pain had completely gone ( reduced inflamation) and I was able to exercise more. It was only 2 weeks so this improvement in pain can’t be explained by weight loss.
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