Treatments
These are the FDA-approved medicines a clinician may consider. A clinician will decide whether any of them is appropriate for you.
Wegovy injection
Among its approved uses, Wegovy is a prescription medicine with semaglutide, approved to reduce excess weight and keep it off long term, with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, in adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition, and in children 12 and older with obesity. It is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established heart disease and obesity or overweight.
How it is taken
Injected under the skin of the stomach area, thigh or upper arm once a week, with the site rotated each dose. The label starts at a low dose and raises it in steps.
What the FDA label warns about
The label carries a boxed warning: semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, and it is not known whether it does in people. It must not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Wegovy pill
The tablet form of Wegovy, from the same FDA label as the injection. It is approved for adults only, with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established heart disease and obesity or overweight, and to reduce excess weight and keep it off long term in adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition.
How it is taken
Once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, with up to 4 ounces of plain water, swallowed whole. Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other pills.
What the FDA label warns about
The same boxed warning applies: thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, and no use with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Zepbound
A prescription medicine with tirzepatide, approved for adults with obesity, or overweight plus at least one weight-related condition, to reduce excess weight and keep it off long term when used with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. It is also approved to treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
How it is taken
Injected under the skin once a week, starting at 2.5 mg for 4 weeks, then raised in 2.5 mg steps no sooner than every 4 weeks, as the prescribing clinician decides.
What the FDA label warns about
The label carries the same kind of boxed warning: tirzepatide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rats, and it must not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
About compounded GLP-1s
Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. We will not offer them as a substitute for approved medicines.
FDA: Concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss
BlackHealth Weight Care is opening soon. When it opens, medical care will be provided by independent licensed clinicians through a clinical partner.