Powers Health’s Weight Management Services offers GLP-1 medications, support
Have you struggled to lose weight most of your life? Are you coping with obesity-induced health problems, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea? Powers Health might be your best shot at living your healthiest life.
The names Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound often can be found in news stories about celebrities who have lost a significant amount of weight. While the names of these injectable medications might be recognizable, how they work and what they entail are not usually part of the conversation. Kristen Bilek, a Powers Health nurse practitioner at the St. Catherine Hospital Medication Therapy Management Clinic and Weight Management Services, answers questions you might have about these potentially lifesaving medications called Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.
What are GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 medications, and which ones does Powers Health offer?
Powers Health offers advanced medications to support weight loss and manage type 2 diabetes, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonist. These medications lower blood sugar, reduce appetite and promote weight loss by acting on hormone receptors in the gut and brain. They help you feel fuller longer, reduce “food noise” (the urge to eat when not hungry) and curb mindless eating. The amount of weight loss varies by medication and dose, with patients typically losing 1 to 2 pounds per week.
Powers Health prescribes four main medications:
- Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy): A GLP-1 receptor agonist. Ozempic is primarily used for type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar control, while Wegovy is approved for weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight with comorbidities.
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound): A dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist, distinct from GLP-1-only medications. Tirzepatide’s unique “twincretin” action enhances insulin secretion, improves glucose control and promotes greater weight loss than GLP-1 agonists alone. Mounjaro is used for type 2 diabetes, while Zepbound is approved for weight loss.
“Tirzepatide’s dual action on GIP and GLP-1 receptors makes it particularly effective for weight loss and diabetes management,” Bilek said. “It not only suppresses appetite like GLP-1 agonists but may also improve insulin sensitivity and fat metabolism through GIP, offering a powerful tool for patients.”
How are GLP-1 medications administered?
GLP-1s typically are injected once a week into the fatty tissue just below the skin. Common injection sites include the abdomen, thigh and upper arm.
Which patients qualify for a GLP-1 prescription?
These medications are for people who need to lose 25 or more pounds. “In order to qualify, patients need to have a body mass index of 27 or higher and one or more comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea or heart disease,” Bilek said. These medications also lessen the risk of diabetes for someone whose A1C indicates prediabetes.
Do these medications have to be taken long-term?
“GLP-1s can be lifelong medications, but the most important thing people have to realize is they are just a tool. It’s not going to do all of the work,” Bilek said. “If you don’t want to be on a GLP-1 long term, and you just want to jumpstart weight loss, it’s really important to focus on lifestyle modifications. If you don’t change your lifestyle and develop that foundation of healthy eating and you go off the medication, you are more likely to gain weight. Keep a food diary and count calories, especially in the beginning. Some people have no idea how many calories they’re taking in. You want to focus on protein intake because as you’re losing weight, you want to lose fat, not muscle. If you’re not getting enough protein, you’ll lose lean tissue.”
What are the potential side effects?
Common side effects can include constipation, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and headaches. “Less common but more serious side effects include pancreatitis and thyroid tumors, which is why people with a history of pancreatitis and thyroid cancer should talk to their healthcare provider before taking these medications,” she said. “For some people, side effects often subside 24 hours after injections, while some simply can’t tolerate the side effects, and others experience no side effects.”
How does Powers Health’s program help people who are interested in using a GLP-1?
“Patients meet with me to discuss if one of these medications is right for them,” Bilek said. “If their prescription is approved, patients then meet with one of our pharmacists at the St. Catherine Hospital Medication Therapy Management Clinic in Munster to go over the basics of the injection pens and how, when and where to inject the medication.” Patients can pick up their medication from the St. Catherine Hospital Retail Pharmacy in East Chicago. They also can have the medication sent the Community Hospital Retail Pharmacy in Munster, or have it shipped for free to their home.
How successful have patients been in losing weight on a GLP-1?
“Our patients have done extremely well,” Bilek said. “While seeing the number on the scale go down is great, we also measure neck and waist circumference and fat mass at every appointment. After patients’ initial appointment with our team, they come back monthly or every other month so the Powers Health team can track their progress. “We have seen our patients improve their lifestyle choices for the better while using these medications. What all of this translates to is lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, fewer sleep problems, more energy and an improved quality of life.”
For more information on Bariatric Medicine & Weight Management, click here or call 219-703-2454.
