As impressive as Semaglutide’s results are solo, you may be able to accelerate weight loss by taking phentermine at the same time. Both of these medications are FDA-approved and available solo or as part of your custom medical weight loss program. Let’s dive in and explore the benefits of taking phentermine and Semaglutide together.
Understanding Phentermine and Semaglutide: A Comprehensive Guide
When used as prescribed, these powerhouse prescriptions can accelerate your weight loss journey. Remember, the number on the scale isn’t the only goal—as maintaining a healthy weight is essential for whole-body health.
Phentermine: The Appetite Suppressant
Phentermine is a prescription tablet that's designed to help you lose weight in conjunction with a healthy diet and regular exercise. It's particularly helpful for individuals who have struggled with weight loss due to excessive food cravings and overeating. The primary function of phentermine is to curb your appetite, making it easier for you to eat less and, ultimately, lose weight. This medication has been FDA-approved since 1959!
Semaglutide: A Game-Changer in Weight Management
Semaglutide is a prescription GLP-1 peptide injection taken once per week. It works by mimicking the hormone in your body that regulates appetite and food intake. It helps you feel fuller faster, reducing the desire to overeat. As an added bonus, it may regulate your blood glucose levels.
Both of these medications are effective weight loss aids on their own. Combining them can personalize your approach and accelerate your results.
But how exactly do they work together?
Combining Phentermine and Semaglutide: Accelerating Weight Loss
By combining phentermine and Semaglutide, you activate two different strategies for controlling your appetite. Phentermine actively suppresses your appetite by interacting with your central nervous system, while Semaglutide makes you feel fuller by mimicking natural hormones.
This results in:
- Increased appetite control: both Phentermine and Semaglutide work to reduce your appetite but through different pathways. This means you get the benefits of both drugs, resulting in superior appetite control and reduced calorie intake. Less snacking and food cravings between meals!
- Improved metabolic control: Semaglutide's ability to regulate blood glucose levels not only reduces hunger but also improves your body's metabolic control. This can help to prevent weight gain, even if you slip on your diet occasionally.
- Enhanced fat burning: phentermine may increase metabolism and promote fat burning. When combined with Semaglutide, which helps to reduce the amount of sugar your liver produces, this can optimize fat burning.
This dual approach aids you in reducing your daily caloric intake, which is key in accelerating weight loss. Further optimize your results with a balanced diet, regular physical activity, healthy lifestyle changes, and medically-proven weight loss strategies.
How Long Before You See Results?
Diets don’t work, which is likely why you’re here! Most diets go beyond caloric reduction, to deprivation. You may lose weight, but it’s not sustainable. In fact, may gain more weight than you lost when you end your deprivation diet.
Even with realistic nutritional changes, it can take months to lose just a few pounds. By combining scientifically proven strategies, you can accelerate your results. Slow and steady wins the race, but the more weight you lose—the more motivated you will be to stay on track.
- Phentermine: when taken solo, you can expect to lose 4 pounds in your first 4 weeks of phentermine.
- Semaglutide: when taken solo, you can expect to lose around 5% of your body weight in the first 12 weeks on Semaglutide.
- Phentermine and Semaglutide combined: results vary, but you may be able to lose more than 1 pound a week by combining these two prescriptions.
- With a dedicated program: expect another 2+ pounds of weight loss each week when taken as part of our weekly program.
Will You Gain Weight Back if You Stop Taking Phentermine and Semaglutide?
Whether you are taking one or both prescriptions, the short answer is—most likely. This is one of the reasons we suggest a full weight loss program that teaches you healthy new habits. This includes diet and exercise, but also whole-body health management. For example, prioritizing sleep and managing stress levels.
Strategies to Prevent Weight Regain
There are several strategies that can be used to prevent weight regain after stopping weight loss prescriptions:
- Healthy eating: maintain a balanced diet that is rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains—and low in sugar and processed foods.
- Regular exercise: identify physical activities you truly enjoy, so that you’re more likely to stick with it. Consider working with a personal trainer.
- Stress management: engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga or mindfulness meditation. Stick with it even if you aren’t currently stressed.
- Regular sleep: aim to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night to keep your metabolism working effectively.
What Are The Potential Side Effects of Phentermine?
The most common side effects associated with phentermine include:
- Feeling restless or hyperactive
- Headache, dizziness, tremors
- Insomnia
- Flushing, redness, tingly feeling
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Upset stomach
- Increased or decreased sex drive
- Impotence
- Allergic reaction
The side effects above are generally mild and may subside as your body adjusts to the medication. However, some experience a severe allergic reaction. Seek immediate medical care if you experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
What Are The Potential Side Effects of Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is generally well tolerated. Its side effects are minimized with tiered dosage, beginning with just 0.25 mg per week.
Side effects include:
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Feelings of excessive fullness
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed
- Persistent lethargy
- Irritation at the injection site
If the side effects above are mild but persistent, let us know as we may reduce your dose. You must also be mindful that Semaglutide should usually not be taken with alcohol. It may even reduce alcohol cravings.
Are There Any Other Multi-Drug Interactions?
Combining phentermine and Semaglutide can change the side effect profile. It could potentially lessen some side effects while exacerbating others. Depending on your preexisting health conditions and other prescription medications, this combination may not be right for you.
This is why our first step is a full medical assessment to determine your risk factors and if either or both prescriptions are right for you. No worries if they aren’t, as we have many weight loss options to explore.
Does insurance cover these medications?
In most cases, no. Sometimes phentermine is covered by insurance, but Semaglutide is rarely covered for weight loss.
We offer a range of budget-friendly options that you can discontinue at any time. Again, consistency is key—especially with Semaglutide’a tiered dosage. If you miss more than 2 weeks, you may need to start back at a reduced dose.
How Do I Know Which Medical Weight Loss Prescription Is Right for Me?
One of the reasons diets don’t work is because they focus only on caloric intake. If you’re ready to end the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting and learn what works for your body, schedule a consultation with Valley Medical Weight Loss and Med Spa.
We have 3 convenient locations in Phoenix, Tempe, and Glendale. During your consultation, we’ll review your personal health factors and advise you on a plan of action that fits your lifestyle and addresses your individual needs.
