SLIM TLC® Supercharged!
SLIM TLC® Supercharged! Program Details
This version of SLIM TLC® is only available in Texas (if you live outside of Texas, your physician can prescribe the medicine, and recommend that you participate in SLIM TLC® without Meds).
SLIM TLC® Supercharged! is a more customized, hybrid program that combines the lowest effective and tolerated doses of both phentermine and Wegovy® (semaglutide), a GLP-1 RA (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist), or Zepbound® (tirzepatide), a GLP-1/GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide) RA to provide you with the most effective program overall, while minimizing the potential negative side effects of both (the most concerning of which, for most people, are associated with semaglutide – primarily nausea and muscle loss).
Negative side effects of phentermine may include (Important Safety Information found HERE):
- Elevated heart rate and/or blood pressure, a feeling of jitteriness, suicidal thoughts, new or worsening depression or anxiety, insomnia, sedation, numbness or tingling, dry mouth, dizziness, constipation, or changes in the way food tastes.
- Contraindications to taking phentermine include: Pregnancy, nursing, treatment with other stimulants (e.g., ADHD medicines), an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), a history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disease, stroke, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension (your blood pressure and heart rate must be normal, i.e., <130/80, in order to receive a prescription – sometimes a blood pressure medicine must also be taken, until being able to wean off due to weight loss and/or your improved lifestyle), coadministration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), agitated states, or a history of drug abuse. If you have a history of "white coat hypertension," you must prove an average normal blood pressure from multiple outside readings.
- Also remember that tolerance may develop over time (decreasing response to the appetite suppressant effects).
Negative side effects of Wegovy® and Zepbound® may include:
- Uncommon: Pancreatitis (stop using the medicine and seek immediate care if you have severe pain in your upper stomach area that will not go away, with or without vomiting; you may feel the pain radiate from your abdomen to your back). It is not known if Wegovy® or Zepbound® can cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.
- Not uncommon: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. To reduce the likelihood of these side effects, try to avoid fried and greasy foods, eat smaller and more frequent, blander meals with lots of fiber from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables (especially fruit and vegetable smoothies, and only when hungry), and stop eating when you feel full. Eating slowly and drinking clear, cool drinks can also help. Also, avoid artificial sweeteners, especially sugarless gum, because they produce gas, adding to stomach discomfort. The grand majority of patients who experience nausea will find that it slowly improves over time. Also increasing the dose of the medicine more slowly may help. And we can always prescribe nausea medicine if needed.
- Common: Muscle loss (minimized by taking a low dose and doing resistance exercises during your weight loss journey).
- Rarely: Gastroparesis, where your digestive system freezes up, and even suicidal thoughts. Please inform us and seek medical care immediately if you suspect or experience any of these.
- Contraindications to taking Wegovy® or Zepbound® include: Problems with your pancreas or kidneys, pregnancy, breastfeeding, planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, a past or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Prescription refills for phentermine are provided monthly, only at visits with the prescriber (in-office OR may be virtual/video only if you have a blood pressure cuff on hand to measure your pressure and heart rate during the visit).
FAQs (Frequently-Asked Questions)
How much does the SLIM TLC® Supercharged! program cost?
- There is a registration fee of $80 (only ages 18+ are eligible). Note: TLC Family Health members do not pay an additional registration fee.
- One-time required purchase of SLIM TLC Online: $19.99
- Monthly cost: $125; there are no contracts or commitments – stay with the program as long as you'd like, and change to one of the others whenever desired. NOTE: Members of TLC Family Health receive 35% off monthly costs (= $81.25/month).
- Visits with the prescriber (in-person or virtual/video available): Initial and all follow-up visits are included in the monthly fee. Note: Members of TLC Family Health pay their usual visit copay.
- Cost of initial and (up to) quarterly labs: $15-20 (total; add $18-20 if testosterone is checked)
- Cost of medicine: <$20/month for phentermine (depends on pharmacy you choose – usually the cash-pay monthly cost can be kept under $20 with a GoodRx coupon) and usually <$250/month for Wegovy® or Zepbound®.*
How is Wegovy® or Zepbound® administered, and how can I obtain it?
- It is (self-) administered subcutaneously, once weekly, usually into the belly fat (after pinching it between your fingers). Most patients learn to do it themselves, but you may have someone else administer it. Wegovy® is prescribed to a local pharmacy (see https://www.wegovy.com/coverage-and-savings/save-on-wegovy.html) and Zepbound® is sent to a LillyDirect® self-pay pharmacy (see https://zepbound.lilly.com/coverage-savings for more information).
Are there any BMI (body mass index) requirements, and might my insurance pay for the medicine?
- Insurance rarely covers medicines for weight loss; but yours may cover it if your BMI (body mass index) is >30, or >27 if you have comorbid conditions like diabetes.
What happens when I reach my goal weight, or if I don't reach my goal weight by the end of the year?
- REMEMBER that every study has shown that any weight lost with the use of any medicine (or any weight loss program, for that matter) will return as soon as the medicine (or program) is stopped, UNLESS THE NECESSARY LIFESTYLE CHANGES ARE MADE – which is why we only prescribe medicine for weight loss as part of the SLIM TLC® lifestyle and weight management program (= instruction, support, accountability, guidance, troubleshooting), to give you the highest chance of maintaining the success you have achieved. When you reach your goal weight, you may continue low-dose Wegovy® or Zepbound® (the lowest, least frequent dosing necessary to maintain) as long as is felt necessary. However, the closer you are to an ideal BMI (i.e., the further below a BMI of 25, e.g., <22-23), the more we may encourage you to try to switch to the SLIM TLC® without Meds option, which will save you money and decrease the risk for potential side effects!
Are Wegovy®, Zepbound®, and phentermine safe to take long-term?
- Wegovy® and Zepbound® are FDA-approved for long-term use. Phentermine is FDA-approved only for short-term use. It is taken daily (as tolerated) and tapered over the course of a few (maximum of six) months, then intermittently (20 doses per month) for a maximum total of one year.
*Wegovy and Zepbound used to cost around, or more than, $1000/month, so that has been cut in half; however, you may be able to cut the cost even further if you take smaller doses.