Wegovy (Semaglutide) for Weight Loss
Weight loss has always been a hot topic in the United States, especially as abnormal weight gain and obesity have become the leading causes of serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. But now that health has once again become a primary focus in the modern era, patients and physicians alike have focused their attention on finding ways to treat rapid weight gain and achieve healthy weight loss.
Over the years, various independent companies have created “miracle” weight loss medications that boasted their effectiveness in weight reduction, yet many of those drugs were untested and realistically rarely backed up those claims. Unfortunately, as overweight gain and obesity statistics continued to rise, the risk for diabetes also increased, leading to more people becoming diabetic. With diabetes also being a serious health issue, many pharmaceutical companies have also focused their attention on creating medications that effectively regulate blood glucose levels and help treat the condition. So far, one of the best medications that doctors have found to treat diabetes has been Ozempic.
Ozempic lowers your blood sugar levels, it can also help curb your appetite so you feel full longer, eat less and lose more weight. Thanks to its weight loss capabilities, Ozempic is highly regarded as an effective treatment for patients suffering from obesity.
However, Ozempic is not a miracle weight loss pill that will help you shed dozens of pounds by simply taking it. Patients still have to combine Wegovy with a healthy diet and exercise to achieve effective weight loss results. Regardless, patients have found they attain much better results incorporating Wegovy into their weight loss treatment plan instead of relying on other weight loss medications. If you suffer from obesity and are having trouble managing your weight, then it may be time to discuss the potential of Wegovy treatment with your physician.
What Is Wegovy?
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a part of the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonist class of medications used to mimic and boost the glucagon hormone, which helps the body lower its blood sugar levels after food digestion. The FDA initially approved another brand of Semaglutide in 2017 to help patients with Type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. However, as patients began utilizing Ozempic as a diabetic treatment, physicians monitoring their treatment also noticed that Ozempic’s blood sugar management helped stimulate a 5% to 10% decrease in body fat.
Wegovy treatment is available as a pre-filled injector pen, many physicians have found that an Wegovy injection is a very effective weight-loss medication for patients suffering from obesity.
How Wegovy Can Help You Lose Weight?
Ozempic uses the GLP-1 hormone to slow down the body’s digestion process as it causes the pancreas and the liver to release insulin and sugar. As a result, patients find it easier to avoid fatty foods and feel less hungry after a meal, reducing food intake and leading to gradual weight loss. So far, an Ozempic semaglutide injection is the most effective method to administer Ozempic for weight loss.
Who Is the Best Candidate To Receive Injections?
Wegovy used as a weight-loss treatment for patients suffering from obesity. However, you should avoid taking Wegovy if you have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or endocrine neoplasia syndrome. You should discuss the risks and potential side effects of using Wegovy treatment with your doctor to determine if Wegovy injections will be right for you.
How Much Does Wegovy for Weight Loss Cost?
The costs for using an Wegovy injection can vary depending on the dosage and duration of treatment. Make sure to ask your local Wegovy weight loss clinic about any payment options and programs before using Wegovy so you can receive the most affordable treatment to fit your budget.
How Will The Medication Be Dosed?
For new patients, your physician may perform the initial injection to demonstrate proper application and also explain certain safeguards for you to remember as you self-administer at home, such as:
- Wegovy injections should be administered once a week into the fatty part of the tissue, typically found on the inside of the thigh, on the lower abdominal, or the upper arm area.
- Make sure you rotate your injection sites to avoid irritation and redness.
- If you miss a dose, make sure to administer an injection as soon as possible, but avoid taking two doses within 48 hours. If it has been less than 48 hours since your last dose, you should wait until the next day to return to your normal schedule.
The concentration level and the duration of your doses will depend on how well your body responds to Wegovy. Typically, your physician may prescribe a low dose of 0.25 mg to help adjust your body to Wegovy before raising the dosage by 0.5 mg after the first four weeks of treatment. If all continues to go well, your physician will continue raising the dosage monthly until you reach the maximum dose of 2.4 mg. You should discuss your medical history and report any allergic reactions to certain medications with your physician so they can determine the most effective dosing schedule to suit your physiology.
What Do We Know About Potential Side Effects?
Patients using Wegovy typically report several common side effects, which include:
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
If you are using certain medications or suffer from other medical conditions, Wegovy may also cause serious side effects and health issues, which include:
- Kidney failure
- Hypoglycemia
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder complications
Make sure to immediately consult your doctor if you’re experiencing any of these issues while using Wegovy. Your physician may need to adjust your dosage and monitor your body’s response to effectively address and correct those issues.
Are There Any Foods or Medications You Should Avoid While on Wegovy?
There aren’t any dietary restrictions for using Wegovy, but the best results occur when Wegovy treatment is combined with a quality diet and exercise regimen.
However, avoid drinking alcohol if you have diabetes, as it can cause a dramatic decrease in your blood sugar level. Alcohol can also irritate your stomach and add discomfort to the digestive effects of the medication. Wegovy can also cause nausea and stomach upset, so you should also avoid fried foods.
Your physician may also recommend a diet of refined grains, sugar-free foods, and drinks to maintain healthy blood sugar levels during your Wegovy treatment.
How Does Wegovy Compare to Other Weight Loss Medications?
Since Wegovy treatment only requires an injection once a week, most patients prefer the weekly convenience of Wegovy injections over the daily dosing of other weight loss medications. Wegovy is also proven to be more effective at slowing down the digestion process and helping patients lose a greater increase in body fat than other weight loss medications.
What Is the Difference Between Ozempic and Wegovy?
Ozempic and Wegovy are both medications that utilize semaglutide for treatment. However, Ozempic is primarily used to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes and various cardiovascular complications, whereas Wegovy is strictly used to help manage weight loss.
Take a look at the comparison table below to view how Ozempic and Wegovy stack up next to each other in terms of dosing.
source of information –https://www.singlecare.com/blog/ozempic-weight-loss/
| Ozempic (Semaglutide) | Wegovy (Semaglutide) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks | Dose | Weeks | Dose |
| 1-4 | 0.25 mg | 1-4 | 0.25 mg |
| 5-8 | 0.5 mg | 5-8 | 0.5 mg |
| 9-12 | 1 mg | 9-12 | 1 mg |
| 13 and onward | 2 mg | 13-16 | 1.7 mg |
| 17 and onward | 2.4 mg | ||