Finding the Right GLP-1 for you
Choosing the right GLP-1 medication for your weight loss journey depends on your individual health goals, medical history, and how your body responds to treatment. At Mountain West Medical Spa, we offer Semaglutide and Tirzepatide, both of which are the active ingredients found in popular brand-name medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. Semaglutide is well-known for its effectiveness in appetite control and blood sugar regulation, making it a great choice for those looking for steady, sustained weight loss. Tirzepatide, on the other hand, combines the power of two hormone pathways, often leading to faster weight loss and improved metabolic benefits for many patients.
During your consultation, we’ll assess your health profile and help determine which option is best suited for your needs. Whether you're looking for a more gradual approach or a dual-action solution, we’re here to guide you toward the most effective and sustainable weight loss plan.
Tirzepatide: A Dual-Action Approach to Weight Management
Tirzepatide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medications Mounjaro (approved for type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (approved for chronic weight management), both developed by Eli Lilly and Company. Unlike Semaglutide, which primarily targets GLP-1 receptors, Tirzepatide is unique because it acts as a dual agonist—stimulating both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors. This combined mechanism enhances insulin secretion, reduces glucagon levels, slows digestion, and increases satiety, making it highly effective for both diabetes management and weight loss.
While brand-name Tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) is exclusively produced by Eli Lilly, compounded Tirzepatide is an alternative version created by licensed compounding pharmacies. The key difference is that compounded Tirzepatide is made in smaller batches and does not come in the pre-filled, pre-dosed injectable pens like the brand-name versions. Instead, compounded versions are typically provided in vials for multi-dose syringe administration, allowing for more customized dosing based on patient needs. Since Eli Lilly holds exclusive rights to the FDA-approved version, compounded Tirzepatide is legally available only because of the ongoing FDA shortage, making it an accessible alternative for patients struggling with supply issues or high costs.
Eli Lilly began developing Tirzepatide in 2016, with the goal of improving blood sugar control and metabolic health in patients with type 2 diabetes. The medication underwent rigorous clinical trials (SURPASS trials for diabetes and SURMOUNT trials for weight loss) to evaluate its effectiveness, leading to its FDA approval for type 2 diabetes in May 2022 under the name Mounjaro. Recognizing its substantial weight loss effects, the FDA later approved Tirzepatide for chronic weight management in November 2023 under the name Zepbound.
Why Tirzepatide Works for Weight Loss
Tirzepatide is often compared to Semaglutide, but its dual-hormone approach gives it unique advantages. By activating both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, it has been shown to produce greater weight loss results in clinical trials compared to single-action GLP-1 medications like Semaglutide. The key benefits include:
Enhanced appetite suppression – GIP and GLP-1 work together to reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.
Increased energy expenditure – Some research suggests that GIP receptor activation may enhance fat metabolism, leading to greater fat loss.
Stronger glucose control – This is particularly beneficial for individuals with insulin resistance or prediabetes, as Tirzepatide improves blood sugar levels more efficiently.
In clinical trials, participants taking higher doses of Tirzepatide lost up to 20.9% of their body weight over 72 weeks, making it one of the most effective weight loss medications available today.
Why Is Tirzepatide Hard to Access?
Similar to Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), Tirzepatide has faced accessibility issues due to insurance restrictions, high costs, and supply shortages. Despite its proven effectiveness, many insurance companies do not cover the medication for weight loss, even though obesity is a chronic medical condition.
Additionally, the high retail cost—often exceeding $1,000 per month—has made it unaffordable for many patients. As demand increased after its weight loss approval in 2023, Eli Lilly struggled to keep up with supply, leading to ongoing shortages, similar to what happened with Ozempic and Wegovy.
To help bridge the gap, compounding pharmacies have been able to legally produce Tirzepatide following strict regulatory guidelines. While compounded Tirzepatide contains the same active ingredient, it may have slight variations in inactive ingredients or formulation compared to Mounjaro/Zepbound. However, these compounded versions remain a cost-effective and accessible option for patients who might otherwise struggle to obtain it.
As It Stands Today: The Current Status of Tirzepatide
As of March 19, 2025, Tirzepatide can no longer be compounded in its original form due to the patents held by Eli Lilly on the medication. While compounding pharmacies were able to produce Tirzepatide-based formulations for a period of time under the FDA shortage exemption, that exemption ended when Tirzepatide was officially removed from the FDA shortage list in late 2024.
However, due to an ongoing lawsuit challenging the decision, Tirzepatide was temporarily placed back on the FDA shortage list while the courts heard arguments regarding its availability and production. In early 2025, a federal judge ruled against an injunction that would have allowed compounding pharmacies to continue producing Tirzepatide, citing that the medication was no longer in short supply and thus fell under Eli Lilly’s patent protection. This ruling effectively blocked the ability of compounding pharmacies to manufacture Tirzepatide in its original form, creating a new challenge for patients who relied on the compounded version for affordability and access.
The New Formulation: Tirzepatide + Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12)
We want to reassure our patients that the base formulation of Tirzepatide has not changed—it remains exactly the same. In response to recent restrictions, compounding pharmacies have simply added Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) to the existing formulation. This strategic enhancement allows us to continue offering this highly effective treatment while also improving the patient experience.
This update offers two major benefits:
Continued Access to Treatment – By incorporating B12, compounding pharmacies have created a legally distinct version of Tirzepatide that complies with regulatory requirements and avoids infringement on Eli Lilly’s patents. This ensures that patients already benefiting from GLP-1 therapy can continue their treatment without disruption.
Enhanced Convenience & Wellness Support – Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) has always been a key part of our weight loss protocol for its ability to boost energy, support metabolism, and improve overall well-being. Now, instead of requiring a separate injection, patients receive both Tirzepatide and B12 in one simple weekly dose, reducing the number of injections and enhancing the effectiveness of their treatment.
This small but meaningful update marks the next step in compounded GLP-1 therapies—providing a safe, effective, and convenient option for medical weight loss. At Mountain West Medical Spa, we’re proud to stay at the forefront of these innovations and remain committed to offering our patients the most advanced and accessible treatment solutions available.
Semaglutide: Understanding Its Origins and Uses
As mentioned earlier, Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medication Ozempic, which is manufactured by Novo Nordisk. Many patients ask about the difference between compounded Semaglutide and the brand-name version, and the simplest explanation lies in where and how they are manufactured. Novo Nordisk has been the original manufacturer of Ozempic since 2012, but at that time, their primary goal was to develop a medication for type 2 diabetes management, not weight loss.
Clinical trials for Semaglutide began in 2016, and by 2017, the FDA had approved it as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that research and real-world use demonstrated its significant impact on weight loss, leading to a surge in demand. This demand quickly outpaced Novo Nordisk’s production capacity, landing Ozempic on the FDA shortage list, where it has remained ever since.
Because of this shortage, compounding pharmacies—which follow strict guidelines—were permitted to produce compounded Semaglutide to help bridge the gap and ensure patients continued to have access to this highly effective medication. Compounded versions contain the same active ingredient but are produced in licensed pharmacies that tailor medications to meet individual patient needs. This option has allowed more people to experience the benefits of Semaglutide for both weight management and metabolic health without being restricted by supply chain limitations.
The Reality Behind Semaglutide Accessibility
While speculation and media coverage have shaped public perception of Semaglutide for weight loss, it's important to separate fact from fiction. Many believe that the widespread inaccessibility of this medication was solely due to its skyrocketing demand, but the truth is far more complex. The real barrier for patients has been a combination of insurance restrictions, price gouging, and pharmaceutical industry economics.
When Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications like Wegovy (also Semaglutide, FDA-approved for weight loss) gained popularity for obesity management, many insurance companies refused to cover them for weight loss, despite the overwhelming clinical evidence of their effectiveness. Instead, coverage was often limited to diabetes treatment, leaving many patients without an affordable option. Additionally, the high cost set by manufacturers—sometimes exceeding $1,000 per month—placed the medication out of reach for most people without insurance assistance.
As a result, compounded Semaglutide became a critical solution for patients seeking an affordable and accessible way to benefit from this groundbreaking treatment. By offering a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing efficacy, compounding pharmacies have played a key role in ensuring that more individuals can utilize Semaglutide for sustainable weight loss and overall health improvement—regardless of insurance limitations or inflated pharmaceutical pricing.
Ensuring Ethical Sourcing & Affordable Access
While we do not yet currently treat chronic illnesses like Type 2 Diabetes, it is essential that, as medical professionals, we make every effort to ensure that our medications are sourced ethically and responsibly here in Utah County. We work exclusively with trusted, licensed compounding pharmacies (503-A & 503-B) that adhere to strict safety and quality standards to provide Semaglutide at a more accessible price point without compromising efficacy.
Our goal is to bridge the gap between those who need this medication for weight loss and metabolic health and the barriers that have made it difficult to obtain. By keeping our prices fair and transparent, we strive to make GLP-1 therapies like Semaglutide and Tirzepatide available to more patients, ensuring that cost is not the sole determining factor in accessing life-changing treatments. We believe that everyone deserves a chance at better health—without financial hardship or unnecessary restrictions.