For many years, patients have used tirzepatide in Charleston, SC as a tried-and-true resource for reaching their weight loss goals. The team at InterveneMD has been proud to pair this medical weight loss injection with ongoing support and other wellness treatments, helping patients achieve lasting results.
In more recent months, the FDA changed its tirzepatide regulations, impacting how patients across the country obtain their medication. Though these regulations can be confusing for many, our experts want to provide clarification so you can hit that goal number on the scale without encountering roadblocks.
Continue reading to learn how the FDA’s regulations affect your tirzepatide prescription. Ready to speak with a professional and start creating your weight loss plan? Visit our website, give us a call, or schedule a consultation for more information.
What is tirzepatide?
Tirzepatide is made of two different classes of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor agonists (GIP). Originally developed to help individuals with type 2 diabetes manage their condition, tirzepatide prompts insulin production and slows down the release of glucagon to regulate blood sugar levels. In more recent years, individuals have begun using tirzepatide as a safe and effective weight loss solution.
By mimicking the hormone released in the stomach after eating, GLP-1/GIP medications like tirzepatide send satisfied signals to the brain. This helps patients make healthier decisions come meal times as their “food noise” is quieted. When paired with a protein-rich diet and a weight training/resistance program, tirzepatide helps patients lose weight and establish the healthy habits needed to keep it off for good.
As a glucose-independent polypeptide (GIP), tirzepatide in Charleston, SC, acts as an additional catalyst for weight loss when compared to other injections like semaglutide. Because tirzepatide results in more weight loss overall, and typically helps patients achieve their goals more quickly, we recommend tirzepatide to anyone looking to lose weight with fewer side effects.
Tirzepatide Updates From the FDA
Tirzepatide has helped countless patients achieve their weight loss goals since it was first FDA-approved for weight management in November 2023. But recent regulation updates have made obtaining the medication more difficult.
The FDA now only allows pharmaceutical companies to compound, or create, tirzepatide if the United States is experiencing a nationwide shortage. This means that pharmacies can no longer make or distribute tirzepatide in the form that many patients have been using for years.
However, there are a few exceptions to this regulation. Patients may be able to obtain tirzepatide if it is compounded with another medication, vitamin, or mineral, such as B vitamins. The intent is to compound the tirzepatide with another additive that does not change the medication’s intended effect.
Another exception states that pharmacies can compound tirzepatide if a patient needs a customized dosage. Most brand-name tirzepatide solutions come in injection-pen form with preset doses. If a patient’s health goals or tolerance requires a dosage in between these preset amounts, the pharmacy is then allowed to compound their medication.
Is tirzepatide still available at InterveneMD?
Yes! You can still obtain tirzepatide in Charleston, SC. At InterveneMD, our experts work closely with certified, vetted compounding pharmacies to help patients receive the tirzepatide they need to reach their weight loss goals.
If you are struggling to get your tirzepatide medication, we urge you to schedule a consultation with one of our weight loss experts. Not only are we able to supply the medication right here from our office, but we also provide expert weight loss advice for healthy, lasting results.
Is tirzepatide my only option?
In addition to tirzepatide, we also offer semaglutide weight loss injections.
Like tirzepatide, semaglutide is a GLP-1 that decreases appetite to help patients curb overeating habits. Though these medications are similar to one another, a patient’s unique health needs may make them a better candidate for one injection over the other.
The FDA has not placed as strict of regulations on semaglutide prescriptions. Your InterveneMD provider may recommend semaglutide so you can obtain your medication more easily.
We recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss specialists to determine which medication best suits your health needs.
The Tirzepatide Treatment Process at InterveneMD
Between detailed eating plans and intense workout regimens, finding the exact formula for successful weight loss can feel like a monumental task. Fortunately, the experts at InterveneMD want to support you throughout every step of the weight loss process. With help from our medical professionals and tirzepatide in Charleston, your goals can finally feel within reach.
Now that we’ve worked through the FDA’s confusing regulations, here’s what you can expect when you choose our team to guide you through your weight loss journey.
Comprehensive Consultation
Scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss specialists can help you identify solutions that fit your unique health and wellness needs.
During your appointment, your provider will ask about your weight loss goals and how you want to feel during and after treatment. You’ll be asked to describe previous weight loss attempts in order to determine what worked well in the past. Be sure to notify them about your medical history and medications you take, as we consider all aspects of your health when mapping out your treatment plan.
You’ll complete an InBody scan, which is included in the cost of your visit, to measure the following health indicators in 60 seconds:
- Weight
- Body fat composition
- Hydration
- Skeletal muscle mass
- Basal metabolic rate
- And more!
These results help your provider create your personalized weight loss plan, designating the medication and dosage best suited to you.
Administering Your Injections
Each month, your provider will give you four pre-loaded syringes of semaglutide or tirzepatide in Charleston, SC. At your first appointment, you’ll be taught how to administer these injections yourself, which you’ll then do from the comfort of your own home throughout your journey.
Be sure to inject your medication once a week, on the same day each week. Weight loss injections involve no downtime, so you can get back to your busy schedule immediately after administering your medication.
As a patient at InterveneMD, you’ll attend regular monthly follow-up appointments with your weight loss specialist to assess your results. We conduct additional InBody scans each time you visit our office to track your progress, ensuring you’re losing only body fat and not muscle mass. Medication adjustments might be made at these follow-ups, although you’ll have access to your provider between appointments should issues or questions arise.
We encourage you to use these check-in appointments as an opportunity to ask your provider questions and voice any concerns you may have about the treatment process. You can also call or email our office for immediate support.
Enhance Your Weight Loss Results
Many providers can prescribe weight loss injections, but they can’t all give the same guidance and support to help you use these medications as tools to change your life for the better. At InterveneMD, our program isn’t just about reaching a goal weight—it’s about making sustainable changes to your lifestyle that enhance your health, your well-being, and your day-to-day.
We take the time to educate you on the specific dietary guidelines for your needs and help you identify physical activity that fits into your schedule. These healthy lifestyle habits are crucial to both losing weight and keeping it off.
We also combine our weight loss program with a variety of other health and wellness treatments, including:
- Emsculpt NEO – Combines radiofrequency (RF) energy and high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) stimulation to tone targeted muscle groups and eliminate unwanted fat.
- Nutraceuticals – Consist of vitamins, minerals, fibers, and probiotics to help you squeeze additional nutrients into your diet.
- Peptide therapy – Uses oral, injectable, and topical therapies to promote cellular efficiency and optimize several key physical functions, supporting weight loss efforts.
- Vasper exercise – Combines cooling, compression, and low-impact exercise to strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and increase the body’s tolerance for exercise.
- Emface – Uses technology similar to that of Emsculpt NEO to strengthen facial muscles and restore lost volume.
- Exercise with oxygen therapy – Allows patients to breathe in oxygen-rich air to decrease inflammation and improve stamina.
- PNOE metabolic testing – Helps patients identify the heart rate at which they burn the most fat.
Be sure to ask your provider about additional treatments for enhancing your results during your follow-up appointments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have unanswered questions about tirzepatide in Charleston? Here are some additional details to inform your treatment decision.
When will I see weight loss results?
Weight loss results on medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide vary from patient to patient. Your treatment timeline depends largely on how well you stick to your healthy lifestyle habits while on weight loss injections.
Your body needs a bit of time to respond to both the medication as well as your new lifestyle, and significant differences don’t show up right away. However, most patients experience noticeable weight loss within 2 to 3 months.
What else can tirzepatide be used for?
While used primarily for weight loss, tirzepatide can address a whole host of other health concerns, including:
- Dementia or other cognitive disorders
- Heart disease
- Arthritis
- Depression
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Inflammation
We recommend consulting your InterveneMD provider to learn how tirzepatide can support your wellness goals.
Will I gain weight back after my tirzepatide treatment plan?
This is the most common question our providers are asked. When prescribed without professional guidance, regular inBody composition scanning and a team to hold you accountable, you are likely to regain the weight after stopping the medication.
InterveneMD, you will receive professional, expert guidance, regular inBody scanning and a provider that guides you every step of the way. Our office sets you up for success not only in losing weight, but in keeping it off for good.
By maintaining healthy muscle mass, eating a diet rich in protein and low in carbohydrate without calorie restrictions, and participating in regular strength and resistance workouts, you can expect beautiful, lasting results.
Other habits that can create a base for weight loss success after tirzepatide include:
- Parking at the back of the parking lot to squeeze in extra steps
- Finding nutritious, low-carb alternatives for your favorite treats
- Getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night
- Drinking about 75% of your weight in ounces of water per day
- Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
- Preparing healthy meals for the week in advance
- Working on stress management methods to regulate blood sugar levels
Your provider can give additional lifestyle tips during your regular appointments.
Feel Like Your Best Self at InterveneMD
Though the FDA’s regulations make obtaining tirzepatide in Charleston a challenge, InterveneMD’s weight loss experts want to assist you. We stop at no end to ensure you receive the medication and guidance you need to achieve your weight loss goals—because your health should always come first.
Visit our website or give us a call to discover how weight loss injections can help you look and feel like your healthiest self.
Interested in advice on how to lose belly fat? Our blog covers everything you need to know about medical weight loss. Read our latest posts for more information.
