Blog

Low Appetite on Weight Loss Medications: Every Bite Matters Why am I Not Hungry on a GLP-1?  If you’ve started a GLP-1 medication and suddenly realize it’s 3 PM and you still haven’t felt hungry, you’re not alone. One of the most common things patients notice is a dramatic drop in appetite, and while that’s part of how the medication works, it also means every bite matters. GLP-1 medications mimic a natural hormone made in the body that helps regulate appetite, blood sugar, and digestion, so when taking extra in the form of a compounded GLP-1, you will notice that you may feel fuller for longer than you are used to and do not want to eat as much. This is part of how the medication works to help you lose weight. By consuming fewer calories, the body begins using stored energy, primarily fat stores, for weight loss. This is […]

Why Diabetes Support Shouldn’t Stop at Doctor Visits How Skippack Pharmacy’s DSMES Program Helps Patients Feel More Confident Every Day Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, especially when questions come up between doctor appointments. Blood sugars don’t wait for your next office visit, and real-life challenges (medication changes, side effects, food choices, travel, sick days, or confusing CGM trends) often happen in the moment. That’s exactly where Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) can make a meaningful difference. At Skippack Pharmacy, our DSMES program is designed to help patients feel more confident managing diabetes through personalized pharmacist-led coaching, medication support, blood sugar monitoring guidance, healthy lifestyle education, and progress tracking between doctor visits. What Is DSMES? DSMES stands for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support. It’s a structured, evidence-based program that helps people with diabetes better understand their condition and build the daily skills needed to stay healthy. This includes support with: […]

Hormonal Medication Shortages: Having Trouble Finding Estradiol Patches or Progesterone? If you have been calling around trying to find estradiol patches, progesterone capsules, or other hormone medications, you are not alone. We have been hearing from more and more patients dealing with the same issue, and we know how frustrating it can be to spend time calling different pharmacies just trying to find your medication. Right now, some hormonal medications have been harder to find depending on the product, strength, and manufacturer. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) currently lists shortages affecting some estradiol transdermal systems and progesterone capsules. Why is this happening? Drug shortages can happen for a few different reasons. Sometimes demand increases faster than supply. In other cases, manufacturers may be dealing with production, supply, or distribution issues. For estradiol patches, ASHP notes that at least one manufacturer has reported increased demand as a reason for […]

How to keep going even when progress feels hard. How many times have you wanted to make a healthy change, whether it’s eating better, moving more, or building a new routine, but no matter how excited you feel at first, nothing seems to stick? If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Motivation can feel strong one day and disappear the next. The truth is, staying motivated is often one of the hardest parts of improving your health. The good news? Motivation doesn’t have to come first. Sometimes, action creates motivation, not the other way around. Here are a few simple ways to help yourself get started and keep going, even on the days you don’t feel like it. Start with realistic goals One of the biggest reasons people lose motivation is because they set goals that are too big, too fast. It’s easy to imagine dramatic changes: working out every […]

It started on a Tuesday morning. A patient walked into the clinic, excited about the 15 pounds they’d lost in two months on their new GLP-1 medication. But their enthusiasm was tempered by something else—a persistent queasiness that made breakfast feel impossible and turned the thought of their favorite foods into a challenge. “Is this normal?” they asked. “And more importantly, will it ever go away?” If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound, you’re not alone in experiencing nausea. It’s one of the most common side effects of these powerful medications, but the good news is that it’s usually manageable—and temporary. Understanding Why GLP-1 Medications Cause Nausea GLP-1 receptor agonists work by mimicking a natural hormone in your body that helps regulate blood sugar and appetite. While these medications are highly effective for diabetes management and weight loss, they can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Nausea […]

Imagine this, You’re 35 years old. You’ve been hovering in the “slightly overweight” category your entire life. Not enough for people to say something, but enough for you to always notice. You’ve heard phrases like: “It runs in your family, there’s not much you can do.” or, “It’s probably just your metabolism.” and for a while, you believed that. However, now that you are starting to approach your 40’s, you may start to have symptoms like: feeling tired quicker than you’re used to, sleep problems, and joint discomfort. Many individuals have tried dieting methods like cutting carbs or skipping meals, but it never seems to stick. This is not because you didn’t care, but because you never had a plan or a sustainable system. Then, one day it clicks. You stop saying, “I’ve tried, but it never works.” and start asking, “What kind of diet plan would work for me?”. […]

A Common Journey One patient was thrilled when their doctor prescribed a GLP-1 medication to help manage type 2 diabetes and support weight loss goals. The first few weeks went smoothly, but after the second dose increase, something new started—a burning sensation in the chest that seemed to worsen after meals. At first, it seemed like just stress, but the discomfort became more frequent, especially when lying down at night. The heartburn was affecting sleep and making mealtimes dreaded. There was concern about having to stop the medication that was finally helping reach health goals. But after talking with the healthcare team and making some simple lifestyle changes, the patient learned how to manage the reflux symptoms effectively. Within two weeks, sleep improved and meals became enjoyable again—all while continuing GLP-1 therapy. Here’s what made the difference. Why GLP-1 Medications Can Cause Heartburn GLP-1 medications work partly by slowing down […]

What Happens When You Stop Taking GLP-1’s? What to Expect When GLP-1 medications are stopped, hunger and appetite often return—and weight regain can happen without a plan. Building sustainable habits before stopping helps protect your progress. GLP-1 medications can be powerful tools for weight loss and metabolic health—but many people wonder what happens if or when they stop. This matters whether you’re pausing treatment, stopping due to side effects or cost, or planning long-term success. This is common: many patients experience increased hunger after stopping, and it’s not a personal failure—it’s biology. GLP-1 medications work by slowing stomach emptying, increasing fullness, and reducing appetite signals. When the medication is stopped, those effects gradually wear off. Why this matters: Hunger hormones may increase again Portion sizes may naturally creep up Weight regain is possible without supportive habits Energy levels and blood sugar patterns may shift Understanding this ahead of time helps […]

Patient Story  A patient had been struggling with her weight for years when her doctor prescribed a GLP-1 medication. She was excited about the potential benefits, but within days of her first dose, she experienced waves of nausea that made eating feel impossible. After skipping breakfast one morning, the nausea only got worse. She felt trapped in a cycle, too nauseous to eat, but the nausea worsened when she didn’t eat. After consulting with her healthcare team, the patient learned that what she ate, and how she ate, could make all the difference. By making simple changes to her diet, she was able to continue her medication successfully and achieve her health goals. Here’s what she learned, and what you should know too. Understanding GLP-1 Side Effects GLP-1 medications work by slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach and by affecting areas of your brain that control appetite and […]