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Switching from one GLP-1 RA to another?
I started on zepbound (tirzepatide) in a quest to reduce the pain of my knee arthritis -- buy time before replacing the joint -- which worked, but triggered a number of side effects that eventually became intolerable. Switched to ozempic (semaglutide). On the plus side, this really did reduce the side effects. (It helped that it's a multipen, which means I could click-dose.) On the minus side, apparently arthritis is emerging as a semaglutide side effect, and it may be one of mine. Everything else is going well, but the arthritis symptoms are coming back. So I'm thinking about switching again, if my orthopedist confirms that this is what's going on. I can go back to tirzepatide, or consider one of the older GLP-1RAs, like exanatide XR or dulaglutide. Or I could wait it out, and switch to a new product now in the pipeline when it becomes commercially available. Or I could get really creative, and alternate 6 months on semaglutide and 6 months on tirzepatide. Or something. Anyone else have experience with switching between these meds or thoughts on how to approach this problem?
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@gbear1953 You said you tried Victoriza. Isn't that a daily shot? What was the pen like?
@projfan Yes I agree
I do not feel any symptoms yet and am aware of what to look for. As I mentioned, I can test my glucose and of course will b aware of any stomach/bowel issues. As I read more, it does not seem to be a matter of great concern. My main takeaway was just how different the two injection pens work. Ozampic one can count to almost ten and as it slowly enters but Monjarno, Wow! it just jets into you.
BTW I will ask my MD to prescribe Monjarno when I see him next week as he had already suggested I try it because my A1C was kinda stuck at 6.9
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@gbear1953 Side effects vary a lot from person to person. And to be fair, no one is exactly doing big clinical trials to find the best protocol to switch from one of these to another -- it seems to be pretty much just a judgment call. So although the literature encourages you to ramp down on the old drug before switching to the new one at a low dose, I don't imagine it's likely to cause any serious harm to switch at higher doses. After all, these things largely flush out of your system in a week, so even if it's a week you regret, you can always drop the dose then.
@nikkiej I never eat heavy
I have glucose monitor and a not of candy around so I am not too worried.
The dosing etc is a long story
I have been on Victoza and Ozampic for years and the switch from Vic to Oz was uneventful
@projfan Yeah it came out so fast and I was used to Ozampic which takes about seven seconds to empty.
I am several hours out now and feel fine. I have been on the type for a couple of years so I think I will be ok
I googled around and the general thought is maybe I will get a little sick. The mentioned the runs and that is not a fear I have because due to opiate use (buprenorphine-a high dose) I require a lot of laxatives to go so a little loose bowels is not a issue
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@gbear1953 your provider didnt gradually increase on the monjuaro? I would say, do not eat anything heavy for the next 7 days. You have to eat so you don't pass out. If you start feeling nauseous, it could be because you haven't eaten. You are not going to feel hungry at all. I forced myself to slowly drink an OWYN when my dose was too high. Good luck and I wouldn't suggest doing that again!
@gbear1953 Are you suggesting that you would physically pull the needle out of your body before the full dose is dispensed? Because I'm not sure it's possible -- the dose is injected very fast.
Let us know how it goes for you.
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1 ReactionI took 15mg Monjarno after being on 2mg Ozampic
I was hoping to pull the needle out before the full dose. Will I get very sick? I have been on 2mg Ozampic a long time.
I guess there is nothing to do but wait...
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1 ReactionI have been on Monjuaro for 2 years after a short bout with Ozempic. I lost over 150 lbs. I just had a panniculectomy (tummy tuck) at Mayo. My excess skin weighed 4 lbs. Do not give up. The side effects are hard as are the food and or/drink choices you have to make. Stick with it and listen to your body about what goes in there. It is so worth it! I lost a whole person and feel amazing! You got this!! These medications are amazing. This is just the begging, it is working for heart disease, sleep apnea, fatty liver etc.
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4 ReactionsI have been on mounjara for 7 months.My AIC is now 5.1 and 60 lbs lighter.
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