Its finally here!! For those who have been asking about Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a peptide that was originally developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and marketed as Ozempic. When combined with diet and exercise, it improves blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. In June 2021, the FDA approved Semaglutide (2.4mg/ml) injection for the treatment of obesity. Unlike stimulant-based medications, Semaglutide can be prescribed for patients with cardiovascular diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, helping to improve not just weight but overall health for patients who need it the most.
Semaglutide (2.4mg/ml) injection is a treatment for obesity. Scientific literature provides empirical evidence that it is highly effective in clinical trials. It is administered through a once weekly subcutaneous injection. Patients on semaglutide have reported losing as much as 100lbs, with clinical trials for Semaglutide losing an average of 12-20% of their body weight in longer studies. Patients must start Semaglutide with a lower dose and gradually increase the dosage over 8-15 weeks in order to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects.
New England Journal of Medicine Article / Study
FDA Approval for Weight Loss
Inject 0.1 mL SubQ 1x per week, increase by 0.05-0.1ml weekly as tolerated to not exceed 1ml (2.4mg) weekly
Because it is not a stimulant, Semaglutide is a great solution for those who may not be able to take stimulant-based appetite suppressants such as phentermine. Stimulants are often not prescribed for patients who have existing cardiovascular disease as they can complicate these conditions. Semaglutide can actually reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event while also causing weight loss.
Semaglutide can be prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30, or adults with a BMI of 27 and at least one weight-related co-morbidity. Semaglutide is for patients who want to lose weight, especially patients with type 2 diabetes or whose weight puts them at risk of a serious cardiovascular event (like heart attack or stroke).
Like most medications, Semaglutide can have side effects. The most common report of side effects from patients have been gastrointestinal upset and fatigue. Of those who continue the medication an improvement in side effects after four weeks has been reported.
Semaglutide slows down the rate at which your stomach sends food to your large intestine. This results in slower digestion (which improves blood sugar) and a longer feeling of fullness. It also stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin, removing sugar from the bloodstream.
Patients on Semaglutide have reported reduced appetite and a reduced craving for sweets, both of which contribute to weight loss. Patients also report that over-eating while on Semaglutide results in unpleasant side effects, which discourages poor eating habits.
You should be aware of all potential and expected side effects prior to taking Semaglutide. The incidence of side effects peaks during the first four weeks, after which side effects improve markedly. They include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
Over-eating or eating junk food while taking semaglutide has been reported to increase the intensity of side effects. Eating smaller portions and low calories, low-sugar foods has been reported to reduce the side effects significantly.
Semaglutide is not safe for breastfeeding or pregnant mothers.