Semaglutide and Tirzepatide for Weight Loss

Weekly injections

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are self-administered injections that you can do yourself at home once a week. Click Here to see videos of how the pens work.

How much weight do people lose with Semaglutide and Tirzepatide?

In clinical studies of Wegovy (semaglutide), the average weight loss was 15-16% of the total body weight, or 35 pounds. One in three people losts over 20%, or 46 pounds. This is with the top two doses of Wegovy (1.7 mg weekly and 2.4 mg weekly).

In clinical studies of Zepbound (tirzepatide), the average weight loss was 20-21% of the total body weight, or 50 pounds.

When combined with an intensive lifestyle program, weight loss with Zepbound was improved to over 25% of the body weight.

Are they available at pharmacies?

Semaglutide (Wegovy / Ozempic)

Wegovy: the top two doses (1.7 mg weekly and 2.4 mg weekly) are available at most pharmacies. The lower doses (.25 mg, .5 mg, and 1 mg) are available in more limited quantities, and sometimes there is a delay to get a new patient started.

Ozempic: Currently, Ozempic is readily available at most US pharmacies.

Tirzepatide (Zepbound / Mounjaro)

Zepbound: As of April 21st, 2024, there are currently nationwide shortages on all doses of Zepbound other than the 2.5 mg starting dose. Check with your pharmacy on expected availability.

Mounjaro: There are currently nationwide shortages on all doses of Mounjaro other than the 2.5 mg starting dose. Check with your pharmacy on expected availability.

How much does semaglutide and tirzepatide cost?

This is dependent on your health insurance. If you have insurance coverage for Wegovy or for Zepbound, many patients pay $25 per month, or even less.

However, if you don’t have insurance coverage, depending on availability, coupons, etc., these drugs can run $500-$1000 monthly, or more. Be sure to check savings programs on the company websites at www.wegovy.com and www.zepbound.com.

Ozempic is more readily available at this time. It is considered “Off-label” to use it for weight management, but it is exactly the same active ingredient as Wegovy. It is possible to click count an Ozempic pen to get more doses from the pen than what was intended. In addition, our Clinic is able to set you up to order Ozempic pens from other countries. This is authentic Ozempic, not the knock-off, copycat compounded products being sold at MedSpas.

Even if your insurance states that you have coverage for Ozempic or Mounjaro, this is virtually always only if you have type 2 diabetes confirmed with a hemoglobin A1c measurement of 6.5 or greater.

How long do I need to stay on semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight loss?

Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Zepbound) are indicated for chronic weight management. They cannot be expected to help you control your weight if they are not in your body. If you are not ready to commit to long-term use of these medications, then perhaps we should discuss other options first.

Which is better for weight loss, semaglutide or tirzepatide?

Click here for a showdown: semaglutide vs tirzepatide for chronic weight management!

What about generic or compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide?

There is no FDA-approved generic of semaglutide or tirzepatide. Many pharmacies are making compounds of these medications; however we have heard reports of compounds being ineffective, or worse, dangerous. Compounds are not regulated by the FDA, we cannot verify the authenticity of the source ingredients which are believed to be coming from China and India.

Because we place patient safety first, at this time, we are not recommending or prescribing compounded medications. In addition, with the improving availability of brand-name Ozempic, we can generally get patients on real Ozempic for a similar monthly cost as the compounded medications.

Liraglutide (marketed as Victoza for diabetes and Saxenda for chronic weight management) is expected to be available as an authentic, FDA-approved generic in late 2024.

Does Clinical Nutrition Center sell semaglutide or tirzepatide?

We do not sell semaglutide or tirzepatide.

When we prescribe these medications, we do not make a single dime.

We can help you find the best price at your pharmacy, and have several connections in other countries that we can help you navigate. We can also help you with prior authorization paperwork if you have insurance coverage to get these medications at the lowest possible price. All of our providers are deeply involved in helping our patients figure out the best option. This is a rapidly changing area, and one that we can gladly help you navigate.

Our fees for Medications

(one month supply, as of 4/8/2024):

Stocked at CNC
- Phentermine / diethylpropion (Tenuate) #28: $21 – $60
- Contrave #120 (taken 2 tablets twice a day, 30 day supply): $126
- Metformin 500 mg ER #60: $11 / month
- Topiramate 25 or 50 mg, #60: $21 / month
- Bupropion ER (Wellbutrin) #30: $31 – 41 / month
- Naltrexone 50 mg #30: $31 / month

Not stocked at CNC – check with pharmacy / your insurance
- Qsymia: available directly from the manufacturer.
- Wegovy (semaglutide): check if you have coverage here.
- Saxenda liraglutide): check if you have coverage here.
- Zepbound (tirzepatide): read more about it here.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide): only approved for treatment of type-2 diabetes. Discuss coverage / cost with your insurance provider.
- Ozempic (semaglutide): only approved for treatment of type-2 diabetes. Discuss coverage / cost with your insurance provider.

Not Recommended for use:
- Compounded semaglutide / Compounded tirzepatide: consistent with guidance from the FDA, we do not recommend the use of compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide, as we are unable to verify the source ingredients. Further, we will not prescribe it, nor will we accept patients using compounded versions of semaglutide or compounded tirzepatide. See FDA warning here. See Obesity Medicine Association position statement here.