California Department of Health Care Services spokesperson Tessa Outhyse said in an email that the official advice to try those other approaches now is not meant to dismiss any past efforts, but to encourage Medi-Cal members to take a renewed, proactive, and medically supported approach with their healthcare provider that may appropriately include these additional options. But that may be unrealistic, said Kurt Hong, founding director of the Center for Clinical Nutrition at Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
For the largest average weight loss among approved drugs, the comparison generally comes down to tirzepatide versus semaglutide, which we lay out in the best GLP-1 for weight loss
GLP-1 drugs appear to have direct protective effects on the cardiovascular system, reducing inflammation, improving endothelial function, and potentially stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques
For patients currently in compounded GLP-1 programs, the transition would likely involve one of several options: switching to an FDA-approved branded medication (at substantially higher cost), discussing alternative weight management approaches with a licensed provider, or exploring whether 503A patient-specific compounding applies to their individual clinical situation
Advanced therapies should be chosen thoughtfully, ideally with clinician guidance, especially when they require higher investment
