Weight loss

Phentermine

Phentermine is a mild stimulant and appetite suppressant used as an aid for weight loss when combined with diet and exercise.

It works by increasing the body's natural neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine), which:

Potentiates weight loss by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism and energy.
Improves well-being and feelings of happiness.

Dopamine ("Pleasure Hormone") Energizes the brain and helps you experience satisfaction.

Serotonin ("Happiness Hormone") Decreases appetite by blocking hunger signals and may reduce cravings for sweets and boredom eating.

Norepinephrine Regulates fat metabolism, increasing the rate of fat cell breakdown.

Possible Side Effects

This is not a complete list, but common side effects include:

Dry mouth: Drink plenty of water and use alcohol-free mouthwash.
Constipation: Start a bowel regimen like Miralax or fiber supplements, and drink lots of water.
Insomnia: You can take Benadryl or Melatonin if needed.
General Stimulant Effects: Increased energy, restlessness/hyperactivity, increased perspiration, tremors, and anxiousness.
Other: Headache, dizziness, upset stomach, decreased appetite, decreased libido, or occasional changes in menses or acne.

Precautions

DO NOT TAKE PHENTERMINE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING.

Do NOT take Phentermine with other stimulants, such as Sudafed or decongestants containing PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, as this can cause palpitations or other stimulating effects.

IMMEDIATELY SEEK EMERGENCY HELP if you experience any of the following:

Chest pain or palpitations
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness
Allergic reaction symptoms (hives, rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat/mouth)
Swelling in ankles or feet
Severe change in mood
Symptoms of dangerously high blood pressure, which may include a severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, and palpitations.

Semaglutide vs. Tirzepatide:

The Big Picture: Why Everyone's Talking About These Shots

Obesity is a tough, chronic illness, and diet and exercise alone often don't cut it. That's where a new generation of medications, known as incretin mimetics, have completely changed the game. These are the weekly shots that are giving people major weight loss—we’re talking about Semaglutide (known as Wegovy or Ozempic) and Tirzepatide (known as Zepbound or Mounjaro).

Both work on hormones your gut naturally makes, but they have a key difference. Think of it like a sports car (Semaglutide) versus a super-charged hybrid (Tirzepatide). Let’s break down how they stack up.

How They Work: Single vs. Dual Power

The secret sauce in these drugs is mimicking hormones that make you feel full and control your blood sugar.

Semaglutide: The GLP-1 All-Star

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means it copies a natural gut hormone called GLP-1. When you activate the GLP-1 receptor, a few powerful things happen:

"I'm Full" Signal: It tells your brain, "Hey, stop eating!" by acting on the areas that control hunger and cravings. This is the main reason you eat less.
Slow-Mo Digestion: It slows down how fast your stomach empties. That makes you feel full for longer, which helps curb snacking.

It's a one-track star, but it does that one job exceptionally well.

Tirzepatide: The GLP-1 and GIP Hybrid

Tirzepatide is what we call a dual-agonist because it hits two targets: the GLP-1 receptor (like Semaglutide) and the GIP receptor.

Double the Hormones, Double the Effect: GIP is another incretin hormone. While GLP-1 is great at making you feel full, adding GIP seems to create a synergy—a one-two punch that's more powerful than either one alone.
Enhanced Results: This dual-action approach seems to be the key to why Tirzepatide is currently showing greater weight loss results. It's essentially maxing out the body's natural appetite-suppressing and metabolic-regulating systems.

Side Effects: The GI Rollercoaster

The bad news is that both drugs come with similar side effects, and they're almost entirely gastrointestinal (GI):

Nausea

Diarreah

Vomiting

Constipation

The good news is these symptoms are usually mild to moderate, and they tend to get better as your body adjusts. This is why doctors start you on a very low dose and slowly increase it over several weeks—it’s all about letting your gut catch up.

Both drugs also share the same rare, but serious, warnings, like the risk of pancreatitis and the potential risk of a certain type of thyroid tumor (which is why they aren't for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma).

Final Takeaway for Patients

Both Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are fantastic tools that have revolutionized weight management.

If you want the maximum weight loss currently available, Tirzepatide appears to be the most effective option.
If you tolerate Semaglutide well and are happy with the results, it remains an excellent choice.

Ultimately, the best medication for you is the one you can afford and can tolerate.