Can You Take GLP-1s Every Other Week? New Research Explained

Recorded live from the floor of Obesity Week in Atlanta, Georgia.
Today we’re talking with Dr. Mitch Bierman — an MD/PhD, primary care physician, and obesity medicine specialist from Scripps Clinic — about real-world patient experiences using GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide and semaglutide every other week instead of every week.

This is a conversation that could impact how millions of people think about maintenance, muscle preservation, and long-term treatment of the disease of obesity.

Dr. Bierman shares details from his follow-up study of 26 patients who switched from weekly to every-two-week dosing and maintained their weight for an average of seven months — and what that might mean for patient preferences, drug costs, side effects, and doctor-patient conversations moving forward.

He also explains why the number one question he hears is, “Do I have to be on this forever?” and how real-world de-escalation strategies may help shape future clinical trials and standard of care.

This episode includes:
• Why patients ask about spacing injections
• What doctors should consider before changing dosing
• Muscle loss vs. muscle preservation with different schedules
• Limitations of the study and what a randomized trial would reveal
• How to talk to your doctor about maintenance and next steps
• When NOT to change your dosing

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This video is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) can cause serious side effects, including thyroid tumor risk, pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and kidney issues, as well as common effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. We have no financial or advertising relationship with Eli Lilly or Novo Nordisk. Always talk to your healthcare provider for full safety information.


00:00 Welcome to Downsize
00:04 Introduction to Obesity Week Conference
01:02 Meet Dr. Mitch Bierman
01:14 Dr. Bierman's Background and Experience
02:45 Discussion on GLP-1 Medications
03:11 Patient Experiences and Preferences
07:26 Research Study on Medication Frequency
16:18 Advice for Patients and Doctors
20:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts