Expected Weight Loss on Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA approved treatments for weight loss that have revolutionized weight management. Research has shown that average weight loss over one year is 14.9% of total body weight with semaglutide, with more than one-third of patients losing greater than 20%. Tirzepatide demonstrates even higher results, with an average weight loss of 20.9% over 72 weeks. Less than 5% of patients discontinue therapy with either medication, and more than 90% of patients experience weight loss success.
What Are Semaglutide and Tirzepatide and How Do They Work?
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are medications in the class of glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1s), making them one option in the class of the most effective FDA approved treatments for weight loss.
Semaglutide mimics the natural peptide of GLP-1, a hormone released after you ingest a meal that helps your body prepare for digestion and signals when you’ve had enough to eat. Tirzepatide is a dual agonist, meaning that it mimics both GLP-1 and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), providing enhanced metabolic benefits.
GLP-1 medications improve weight loss through several mechanisms including delay of gastric emptying and slowing of gastrointestinal motility (increasing feelings of fullness), suppression of appetite control centers in the brain, amplification of glucose-dependent insulin release, and reduction of glucagon release (decreasing insulin resistance).
These effects on insulin and glucagon make GLP-1 medications valuable for diabetes management and weight loss. Because these medications mimic naturally occurring proteins, the side effect profile is low and generally well tolerated, unlike other weight loss medications that can cause heart and blood pressure issues.
Data to Support Semaglutide and Tirzepatide
Semaglutide: The STEP Trials
Semaglutide underwent several landmark studies to acquire FDA approval. The STEP 3 trial showed patients on average lost over 14.9% of their total body weight over one year, with over one-third of participants losing more than 20% of weight during this period. The STEP 4 trial demonstrated that patients continuing therapy for 68 weeks versus only 20 weeks continued losing weight, an additional 7.9% on average, supporting a year-long duration of therapy.
Tirzepatide: The SURMOUNT Trials
Tirzepatide’s approval was supported by the SURMOUNT clinical trial program. The SURMOUNT-1 trial showed patients lost an average of 20.9% of their total body weight over 72 weeks. More than half of participants achieved at least 20% weight loss, with some patients losing up to 25% of their body weight.
Benefits of Getting Started on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide
Successful weight loss (defined as greater than 5% reduction in total body weight) occurred in more than 92% of patients on semaglutide. Nearly 35% of patients lost more than 20% of their total body weight. Patients also experienced a 13 cm reduction in waist line, more than 5 point reduction in BMI, and overall reductions in blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (A1C), C-reactive protein, and cholesterol levels. Tirzepatide has had even more substantial outcomes with over 50% losing more than 20% of their body weight, a BMI reduction of up to 10 points and similar improvements in blood pressure, A1C, CRP and cholesterol levels. (SURMOUNT)
This class of medication provides more than just weight loss. It helps treat metabolic syndrome and may increase longevity with the ability to better manage or avoid chronic diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Individualized Dosing with GLP-1 ID
While the STEP and SURMOUNT trials used fixed-dose protocols with branded medications, Ivim Health’s GLP-1 ID (Individualized Dosing) program uses compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide formulations to allow for more flexible, patient-specific dosing. Rather than following a rigid protocol, GLP-1 ID allows your provider to adjust your medication week by week based on how you’re actually feeling and progressing. With weekly health check-ins, your provider can review your progress in real time and send personalized dosing guidance. This approach helps ensure you can stay on therapy while minimizing side effects and maximizing weight loss results.
Is It Right for Me?
The semaglutide and tirzepatide used in this program are compounded medications—custom formulations prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies. These pharmacies still follow strict regulations and perform testing to confirm medication sterility, potency, and quality.
While compounded medications are not reviewed or approved by the FDA, they are created using the same active pharmaceutical ingredients found in the FDA-approved brand-name versions. Compounding allows our providers to personalize dosing and tailor treatment for your specific needs and goals.
The brand-name versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide are FDA-approved for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with a related metabolic condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. However, some patients outside these parameters may also benefit when these medications are used safely under medical supervision for weight management and metabolic health.
Exceptions include patients with a family history of medullary thyroid cancer and patients with a history of significant pancreatic disease.
Your provider will help determine if you are a good candidate for treatment.
Disclaimers: RX required after clinical evaluation. This is a compounded medication and is not FDA-approved. Compounded drugs have not undergone FDA review for safety, efficacy, or quality. See Ivím website for full safety information. Results may vary. This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers regarding your specific treatment plan.
