FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At Restore Wellness Collective, we believe in transparency and patient education, and this page is just one way we demonstrate our commitment to your well-being, and ensure you feel comfortable every step of the way. If you can't find the answers you're looking for here, don't hesitate to reach out to us! We're here to provide personalized guidance and support tailored to your unique needs.
Tirzepatide is a weekly injectable medication that was initially FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes. In November of 2023 the FDA also approved tirzepatide for weight loss. It belongs to two different classes of medications: glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptides (GIP).
GLP-1 receptor agonists are not new to the market, in fact this class of medication has been intensively studied and has been on the market since 2005. Tirzepatide combines the effects of a GLP-1 and GIP medication making it the first medication of its kind.
Tirzepatide used for diabetes and weight loss are the same medication. There is no difference between them.
This medication will not cause your blood sugar to drop, and you do not need to test your blood sugar while you are on it.
However, as with all medications, there are risks and benefits. We advise that you take the time to do your due diligence and determine if tirzepatide is right for you. We are happy to answer any questions you may have along the way.
No! Tirzepatide is not a medication that is used to control a person’s blood sugar levels like insulin. Therefore, it is not necessary for survival and is instead used in addition to other medications (like metformin and insulin) to help people with diabetes lose weight and lower their hemoglobin A1C.
Tirzepatide works in several ways. First, it is a powerful appetite suppressant which helps curb those pesky cravings resulting in a decrease in your total daily calorie intake. Second, it slows down how quickly your body empties your stomach leaving you feeling full longer. Lastly, it helps your body better manage, store, and use the sugars you naturally take in after a meal. Together, this combination produces impressive weight loss! Studies have shown that using tirzepatide can lead to an astounding 22.5% total body weight loss!
We will teach you how to draw up tirzepatide and inject yourself so that you can do it in the comfort of your home. If we determine tirzepatide is right for you, you will receive thorough written and verbal instructions walking you through the process.
Dosing for tirzepatide generally follows this schedule:
- Weeks 1-4 inject 2.5 mg weekly
- Weeks 5-8 inject 5 mg weekly
- Weeks 9-12 inject 7.5 mg weekly
- Weeks 13-16 inject 10 mg weekly
- Weeks 17-20 inject 12.5 mg weekly
- Weeks 21-24+ inject to 15 mg weekly
Please keep in mind that you DO NOT have to increase to the maximum dose of 15 mg. Some individuals' weight loss goals are met at lower doses and some individuals experience unwanted side effects at higher doses. Therefore, we will work with you to tailor our program to your needs.
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Nausea with or without vomiting
- Low appetite
- Indigestion (heartburn)
- General feeling of malaise when increasing doses
- Tirzepatide may decrease the efficacy of oral birth control. It has NOT been shown to decrease the effectiveness of non-oral contraceptives (ie, IUD, depo provera, nexplanon, etc). Those using an oral birth control should use condoms for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide treatment and for 4 weeks after each dose increase.
While all medications come with the possibility of side effects, that does not necessarily mean that you will experience them. We have individuals who have not experienced a single side effect, and others who have experienced all of them. We will work with each person to minimize side effects and ensure the best possible outcome.
Once you meet your weight loss goal, you will begin to taper down to a lower maintenance dose. The maintenance dose is different for everyone. It is a dose where you are no longer continuing to lose weight but are staying steady at your goal.
You may choose to taper off the medication completely and maintain your goal weight with the lifestyle changes and tools you have learned over the course of this program. If you find yourself gaining the weight back, you may restart the medication.
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Those who have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, thyroid tumors, or multiple endocrine neoplasia Type 2 (MEN2)
- Those with a personal history of diabetic retinopathy
- Those with gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal diseases
- Those with active gallbladder disease
- Those with a personal history of pancreatitis or pancreatic disease (i.e. cancer)
Although those with Type 2 Diabetes may be great candidates for tirzepatide, we do not prescribe tirzepatide to individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. If you have Type 2 Diabetes, we encourage you to discuss this medication with your primary care provider or endocrinologist to determine if this medication is right for you.
We source our tirzepatide from a compounding pharmacy in Florida. It is then shipped overnight via UPS.
A compounding pharmacy is a pharmacy that specializes in making medications that are tailored to an individual. The FDA describes them as “the process of combining, mixing, or altering ingredients to create a medication tailored to the needs of an individual patient.” The compounding pharmacy we use sources all their ingredients from a United States, federally inspected and regulated supplier. They also test their products for sterility and endotoxin prior to releasing them for dispensing.
No, we do not accept insurance. If you are a type 2 diabetic and would qualify for insurance to cover this medication, you should speak with your primary care provider and discuss whether starting a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
We do accept health savings account/flexible spending account (HSA/FSA) cards.
Unfortunately, we do not do virtual visits at this time. You will need to come in person to your consult and follow up appointments.
Yes, switching from semaglutide to tirzepatide is easy. There is no downtime needed to switch and you do not need to start over at the lowest dose.
The cost of the consultation is $50. This is an hour-long appointment where we discuss the medication and how it works, side effects, what you can expect in terms of length of time needed to lose your desired amount of weight, counseling on diet and how to inject the medication yourself, as well as weighing in and taking before photos. If you choose to start the program the day of your consultation, your total cost will be $474.99. Every visit thereafter will be free, and you will just be paying for the medication and supplies.
The price of the medication varies by dosage. For the first several months, the price will be $424.99. We will try to keep you at the lowest price point for as long as possible. When your weight loss plateaus, we will need to increase your dose and that will also increase the price. We have deeply discounted the higher doses because we understand what a big financial commitment this is. Included in this price is your visit, medication, supplies, training, and counseling.
Because tirzepatide is not covered by most insurances, if you were to pay out of pocket for this medication at the pharmacy, it would cost around $1100 or more per month. Through Square's interest-free AfterPay option, patients do have the choice to pay in installments over time instead of all at once.