Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Many patients who suffer from obesity have tried dozens of weight loss medications to help them reduce their body fat and maintain a healthy weight. Unfortunately, there isn’t a definitive solution to obesity, and patients who use weight-loss medications typically find that it’s just as difficult to keep the weight off as it is to lose it.
However, after all of the previous attempts with OTC weight loss pills and medications, science may have found a GLP-1 type of anti-obesity drug that can effectively help patients control their appetite and feel fuller after meals, making it easier to lose weight.
So, if you’re struggling with obesity and are looking for other alternatives to help you achieve healthy weight loss, then you may want to ask your doctor about the potential benefits of the obesity medication, Semaglutide.
Although it’s actually been around for over a decade, Semaglutide is a medication that has recently shown great promise in treating obesity. But before you start asking a physician about the possibilities of using Semaglutide as part of your weight-loss treatment, you may want to take some time first to understand how Semaglutide works and how it can affect your body.
Semaglutide for Weight Loss: How It Works
Semaglutide belongs to a group of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have the ability to mimic the GLP-1 hormone that the body produces as food digests in the intestine. The GLP-1 hormone also helps the pancreas make insulin to regulate the body’s glucose levels. After numerous studies, semaglutide has also been found to slow down gastrointestinal motility, which is responsible for digestion, as it affects parts of the brain that control appetite.
Through Semaglutide injections, people struggling with unwanted weight gain and obesity can curb their appetite and feel full even after eating small portions, helping them to lose weight in the process.
How Effective Is Semaglutide Injection for Weight Management?
Unlike other weight-loss drugs, Semaglutide has been proven to help patients lose 5% to 10% of their body fat and, in some cases, up to 15%.
In a clinical trial for the brand name drug Ozempic and Wegovy, over 50% of the people taking semaglutide for weight loss were shown to lose at least 10% of their body weight, compared to patients who only lost 5% of their weight after using other weight loss drugs.
How Is It Dosed and Given?
Depending on your body type and medical history, dosing may vary for individual patients. Physicians typically start beginning patients with a small weekly dose of Semaglutide to help the body adjust to treatment. Depending on the body’s response to treatment, physicians may increase the dosage every four weeks before finally reaching the maximum dose.
The most effective way to administer Semaglutide is through subcutaneous injection. Patients will need to inject the drug under the fatty areas of the body, such as the underside of the thigh or on the stomach area. By using a semaglutide injection for weight loss, patients can effectively disperse the drug throughout their body and achieve better weight loss results.
What Diet Should I Follow?
Even though it isn’t a particular diet plan that is required to use Semaglutide, it has been proven that patients achieve better weight loss results with a customized diet regimen. Your physician may recommend a dietary plan rich in proteins, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it easier for your body to burn fat as you progress through Semaglutide treatment. A reduced-calorie diet can also help accelerate Semaglutide weight loss.
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Can It Interact With Other Medications?
As Semaglutide has not shown any serious side effects when combined with other medications, the drug has been proven to interact differently with certain medicines. For example, patients who take medications for diabetes may want to avoid high doses of semaglutide, as the combination could cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar and cause them to become hypoglycemic. You should discuss any medications taken for pre-existing conditions with your physician so they can determine the proper dose to safely use with other prescription drugs before using semaglutide to lose weight.
Since Semaglutide slows down the digestion process, it can also affect how oral medications are absorbed and dispersed throughout the body when they’re taken at the same time.
How Much Does Semaglutide Injection Cost?
The cost of a Semaglutide injection may vary depending on the dosage and the duration of treatment.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
Since Semaglutide affects the digestion process, there are several gastrointestinal side effects that may occur while using the medication. The most common side effects include:
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
- Dizziness
Patients with a family medical history of thyroid tumors should avoid taking semaglutide as it can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. You should discuss the potential risks and side effects of using semaglutide for weight loss with your doctor before starting treatment.
FAQ
Is Semaglutide approved for weight loss?
Yes, Semaglutide is FDA approved as a safe and effective treatment for weight management and obesity.
How long does it take to lose weight on Semaglutide?
That will depend on your body type and the level of treatment. However, patients using semaglutide typically start noticing results after a few weeks of treatment.
Can the drug improve overall health?
Yes. By improving weight loss, Semaglutide can also help improve cardiovascular, physical, and mental health, which leads to improved overall health.
How long before Semaglutide starts to work?
Patients who use Semaglutide for weight loss typically begin seeing results after the first four weeks of treatment.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss administering a dose of Semaglutide, you should take it as soon as you remember. If the time frame is too close to your next dose, you should skip the missed dose altogether and resume your normal dosing schedule to avoid double dosing.
What is the difference between Saxenda and Semaglutide?
Although both Saxenda (Liraglutide) and Semaglutide are GLP-1 agonists that mimic the glucagon-like peptide, Semaglutide is more effective at improving blood glucose levels and achieving weight loss than Saxenda. In terms of convenience, Semaglutide is also more tolerable as a once-a-week injection, whereas Saxenda injections require daily injections.
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