Provider-prescribed GLP-1 therapy — semaglutide and tirzepatide — with the lab work, supervision, and coaching that make results last.
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are weekly injectable medications that mimic gut hormones to reduce appetite, slow digestion, and help regulate blood sugar. The result is reduced hunger and food noise, making a sustainable calorie deficit far easier to maintain, which is why they produce far greater weight loss than diet and exercise alone.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Tirzepatide is a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist, it acts on two appetite-regulating pathways instead of one, which is why it has produced even greater average weight loss in clinical trials.
Both are excellent options. The right one depends on your goals, your health profile, and your provider's recommendation.
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | GLP-1 agonist | Dual GLP-1 / GIP agonist |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Weekly injection |
| Avg. weight loss (trial) | ~15% over 68 weeks | ~21% over 72 weeks |
| Trial reference | STEP 1, NEJM (2021) | SURMOUNT-1, NEJM (2022) |
| Best suited for | Steady, sustainable loss | Higher weight-loss goals |
| Common side effects | Nausea, GI upset (usually temporary) | Nausea, GI upset (usually temporary) |
Figures are trial averages from published studies and do not predict individual results. Eligibility and dosing are determined by your provider.
Average body-weight change in the pivotal clinical trials. Tirzepatide produced greater average loss, though the right medication for you depends on your goals and your provider's guidance.
The figures above come from two separate trials. SURMOUNT-5 put tirzepatide and semaglutide head to head in the same study: at 72 weeks, tirzepatide produced 20.2% body-weight reduction versus 13.7% for semaglutide, a gap of about 6.5 percentage points in adults with obesity and no diabetes.
SURMOUNT-5 randomized 751 adults with obesity (and no type 2 diabetes) 1:1 to the maximum tolerated dose of tirzepatide or semaglutide across 32 U.S. and Puerto Rico sites. At 72 weeks, average weight loss was 22.8 kg with tirzepatide versus 15.0 kg with semaglutide, and average waist-circumference reduction was 18.4 cm versus 13.0 cm. Because both arms were enrolled in the same trial at the same time, this head-to-head comparison carries more weight than comparing separate trials with different populations, such as the STEP 1 and SURMOUNT-1 figures shown above.
Source: Aronne LJ, et al. "Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity." New England Journal of Medicine, 2025;393(1):26-36.
At Elevra, medical weight loss begins with lab work and a provider consultation to confirm you're a candidate and rule out contraindications. Your provider then prescribes semaglutide or tirzepatide, starts you on a gradual dose-escalation schedule to minimize side effects, and monitors your progress with regular check-ins.
Your provider reviews your health history, current medications, and goals, and screens for conditions where these medications aren't appropriate.
Doses start low and increase over time. This step-up approach helps your body adjust and keeps the most common side effects, usually mild nausea, to a minimum.
Medication does the heavy lifting on appetite; protein, resistance training, and habit support protect your muscle and make the results stick. Your provider helps you build the full picture.
Elevra treats patients statewide by secure telehealth. See what care and local lab options look like from Wentzville, O'Fallon, or St. Peters, or browse the full list of Missouri cities. Weighing telehealth against an in-person clinic? See the honest comparison. Wondering about insurance or payment? See how payment works at Elevra.
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