A patient may be a candidate for GLP-1 weight loss if they have obesity, overweight with weight-related health concerns, insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes risk, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver concerns, sleep apnea risk, or repeated difficulty losing and maintaining weight with lifestyle changes alone
A plateau may call for investigation and adjustment
A person must also be at least 18 years old and meet one of the following criteria: Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 at the time they begin the GLP-1 medication Have a BMI of at least 30 at the time of beginning the medication and at least one of the following diagnoses: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction Uncontrolled hypertension Chronic kidney disease (stage 3a or above) Have a BMI of at least 27 at the time of beginning the medication and at least one of the following diagnoses: Pre-diabetes Previous heart attack Previous stroke Symptomatic peripheral artery disease Anyone who meets these qualifications but is eligible to receive GLP-1 coverage under Part D for another condition, like type 2 diabetes, wont qualify for the Bridge program, CMS says
Back Holst, JJ, rskov,C, Schwartz, TW, et al (29 Aug 1986) 'Proglucagon 78-107, a potent insulinotropic hormone from lower smaller intestine', Diabetologia:Abstracts , 511A-610A.Back Holst, JJ, rskov, C, Vagn Nielsen, O, Schwartz, TW (1987) 'Truncated glucagon-like peptide I, an insulin-releasing hormone from the distal gut', FEBS letters , 211/2
Importantly, tirzepatide's effect on gastric emptying may affect the absorption of oral medications, including oral contraceptives
