top of page
All Posts


Can GLP-1 / GLP-1–GIP (semaglutide / tirzepatide) Medications Be Used With Diabetes Medications? (insulin, metformin, & what the evidence shows)
Can you take semaglutide or tirzepatide if you’re on insulin or metformin? This evidence-based guide explains which diabetes medications are compatible, what the ADA recommends, and how GLP-1/GIP therapy affects blood sugar and A1C.
Joshua Silva, MD
2 days ago5 min read


Do GLP-1 Medications Cause Vitamin Deficiencies? Nutrition on Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and Tirzepatide
Do GLP-1 medications directly cause vitamin malabsorption? Dr. Joshua Silva breaks down the clinical evidence on nutrition, hair loss, and the risks of over-supplementing during weight loss. Available for telehealth across Utah.
Joshua Silva, MD
May 257 min read


Semaglutide and Tirzepatide: Do GLP-1 Medications Protect Brain Health?
Early studies suggest GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide might protect brain health and lower dementia risk. Discover the science behind these claims, what Alzheimer's clinical trials actually show, and why promising observational signals aren't definitive proof yet.
Joshua Silva, MD
May 114 min read


Can GLP-1 Medications Help With Addiction? Alcohol, Smoking, Opioids Explained
Medically authored by Joshua Silva, MD | Evidence-Based Weight Loss at Potere Health MD Yes—early research shows GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide may reduce cravings and reward-driven behaviors related to alcohol and other substances. However, they are not FDA-approved for addiction, and evidence varies by substance and study type.¹ How GLP-1 Medications Affect Addiction (Brain and Dopamine Explained) GLP-1 medications may influence addiction by modulating r
Joshua Silva, MD
Apr 295 min read


Can Semaglutide Help Delay Knee Replacement? What STEP 9 Shows
A physician-written review of the STEP 9 trial explaining how semaglutide improves knee osteoarthritis pain, how weight-loss milestones relate to knee replacement risk, and what this means for patients in Utah.
Joshua Silva, MD
Apr 205 min read


Can You Take GLP-1 Medications Every Other Week? (What the Data Shows)
s taking GLP-1 medications every other week a good idea? Discover what 2025 pharmacologic models and clinical trials actually say about bi-weekly dosing, the risk of weight regain, and why consistent weekly treatment remains the gold standard for metabolic health.
Joshua Silva, MD
Apr 83 min read


How to Prevent Muscle Loss on Zepbound® & Ozempic® (GLP-1 Agonists): Evidence-Based Strategies
Worried about muscle loss on Zepbound® or Ozempic®? Discover the specific protein targets and resistance training protocols required to preserve lean mass while taking GLP-1 medications.
Joshua Silva, MD
Apr 25 min read


New Higher Dose of Wegov (Semaglutide 7.2 mg): FDA Approval, Side Effects, and Dosing Guidance
The FDA has approved a higher weekly dose of Wegovy (semaglutide) at 7.2 mg. While clinical trials show this 3× increase can drive total body weight loss toward 20.7%, it also raises the risk of dose-dependent side effects like dysesthesia and GI distress. With no official titration guidelines yet available, Dr. Joshua Silva discusses how to approach this new dosage safely and who may benefit most from the increase.
Joshua Silva, MD
Mar 233 min read


What Is “Food Noise” on Ozempic® or Zepbound®? Why Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Reduce Cravings
"Food noise" isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a reflection of complex neurobiological signaling. Dr. Joshua Silva, MD, breaks down how GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide interact with the brain's reward centers to quiet persistent cravings and make sustainable weight loss achievable.
Joshua Silva, MD
Mar 214 min read


Do GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic and Wegovy Increase Tendon Rupture Risk?
Early research from the 2026 AAOS Annual Meeting indicates that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy may be associated with a higher relative risk of tendon ruptures. However, with an absolute risk increase of less than 1%, most patients remain unaffected. Discover the proposed mechanisms—from rapid activity increases to collagen signaling—and how to mitigate risk while continuing therapy.
Joshua Silva, MD
Mar 174 min read


Can You Drink Alcohol on Ozempic® or Mounjaro®? A Doctor’s Safety Guide
A physician-written guide to alcohol use on GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound®. Covers GI side effects, blood sugar risk, altered tolerance, and emerging research on cravings.
Joshua Silva, MD
Mar 106 min read


Microdosing GLP-1 Drugs (Semaglutide, Tirzepatide): Definitions, Patterns, and Clinical Reality
"GLP-1 microdosing" is a popular, patient-driven trend for medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. Understand the clinical reality behind sub-therapeutic doses, split dosing, and weight maintenance strategies.
Joshua Silva, MD
Mar 36 min read


Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Zepbound® Fatigue: Why Semaglutide and Tirzepatide Can Make You Tired
Feeling tired on Ozempic, Wegovy, or Zepbound? Fatigue is a documented side effect affecting up to 11% of patients. Explore the physiological reasons behind GLP-1 fatigue and learn evidence-based management strategies—like optimizing hydration and protein intake—with Dr. Joshua Silva, MD.
Joshua Silva, MD
Feb 235 min read


Why Am I Not Losing Weight on Semaglutide or Tirzepatide? A Doctor Explains the 7 Most Common Reasons
Not losing weight on semaglutide or tirzepatide? You’re not alone—and it doesn’t usually mean the medication failed. Learn the most common reasons weight loss can stall, what’s normal, and how to get results back on track with physician-guided care.
Joshua Silva, MD
Feb 187 min read


Ozempic Face Explained: Why Weight Loss Changes Facial Appearance
"Ozempic Face" is trending, but is it the medication or the weight loss causing the change? Dr. Silva separates the myths from the massive weight loss science, explains why some patients look "gaunt" while others don't, and reviews which treatments actually restore facial volume.
Joshua Silva, MD
Feb 165 min read


Breastfeeding on Ozempic® or Mounjaro®: Is Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Safe?
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking Ozempic® or Mounjaro®? While limited data suggests low transfer into breast milk, official FDA guidance remains cautious due to unknown long-term risks. Learn about the science of peptide transfer, washout periods, and why most clinicians recommend discontinuing GLP-1s during lactation.
Joshua Silva, MD
Feb 94 min read


Diarrhea on GLP-1 Medications (Wegovy®, Zepbound®): Why It Happens and When to Worry
Diarrhea is a common but usually temporary side effect of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy® and Zepbound®. This physician-reviewed guide explains why it happens, food triggers, dose considerations, and when symptoms need medical attention.
Joshua Silva, MD
Feb 48 min read


Constipation on Tirzepatide or Semaglutide (GLP-1): A Step-by-Step MD Fix
Constipation is a common side effect of GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide. Learn why it happens, how to fix it safely, and when to seek medical care.
Joshua Silva, MD
Jan 315 min read


Digestive Enzymes for Ozempic® & Wegovy® Side Effects: Do They Help?
Are sulfur burps and bloating ruining your GLP-1 progress? Many patients turn to digestive enzymes for relief, but the science shows a "mechanism mismatch." Discover why enzymes often fail to fix the "traffic jam" in your stomach—and when they might actually be worth a try.
Joshua Silva, MD
Jan 275 min read


Ozempic® Sulfur Burps, Gas, and Bloating: Why GLP-1 Medications Cause the “Food-Stuck” Feeling
Experiencing sulfur burps or a "stuck" feeling on Ozempic? Dr. Joshua Silva, MD explains the science of delayed gastric emptying and offers 6 actionable tips to reduce gas and bloating.
Joshua Silva, MD
Jan 268 min read
bottom of page
