Wegovy (Semaglutide) for Weight Loss
For a time, physicians saw the diabetic drug Ozempic as an effective alternative to weight loss medication. Although it’s primarily used to regulate blood sugar, studies showed that Ozempic could also help reduce body fat and effectively maintain healthy short-term weight management. But unfortunately, since its primary use is to treat Type 2 diabetes, Ozempic is not normally categorized as a weight-loss drug.
However, Ozempic has shown such great promise in reducing body fat that the FDA has approved a generic version that not only has a stronger concentration than its predecessor but is tailored explicitly for long-term rapid weight gain and obesity treatment. The new version of Ozempic now has a new name, Wegovy.
After using Wegovy, patients suffering from obesity have been able to regulate their appetite and achieve a significant decrease in body weight. Combined with a customized diet and exercise regimen, Wegovy has become a game-changer for overweight patients hoping to shed their unwanted weight gain. If you’re having trouble managing your weight or achieving certain weight loss goals, you may want to discuss the potential of Wegovy treatment with your physician.
How Does Wegovy for Medical Weight Loss Treatment Work?
Wegovy is a Semaglutide medication that mimics the naturally produced glucagon peptide-1(GLP-1) hormone and stimulates the brain to produce more insulin during food digestion. In doing so, Wegovy helps to slow down gastric emptying of the stomach and decreases appetite so you can feel full longer and eat less.
However, patients using Wegovy for chronic weight management will need to adhere to a prescribed treatment plan consisting of a customized diet and exercise regimen to achieve the best Wegovy weight loss results.
How Much Weight You’ll Lose?
Since every patient is different, your weight loss results will depend on your medical history, dosage, and treatment plan. However, during numerous clinical trials with people of various ages, patients with a body weight of 200+ pounds or a body mass index (BMI) of 38 saw a 12.4% decrease in body fat, losing 33 pounds after combining Wegovy with their diet and exercise regimen for 68 weeks.
The most effective way to utilize Wegovy is a subcutaneous injection. Patients typically use pre-filled semaglutide injectables and will need to administer a dose on the same day once a week. You will need to inject Wegovy in the fatty areas of the body (inside thigh, lower abdomen, or upper arm)
To start the process, physicians will first prescribe 0.25 mg so your body can slowly adjust to the medication. After four weeks, your physician may gradually increase the dosage by 0.5 milligrams as they monitor your body’s response to treatment until you reach the maximum dosage of 2.4 mg. Your medical history and treatment progress will help your physician find the most effective Wegovy dosage for weight loss to fit your goals.
How Do I Use Wegovy?
Wegovy is typically administered through an injectable pen on the same day every week. The effective way to inject the drug is through the fatty areas of the skin, such as the thigh, lower abdominal, and upper arm region. To avoid redness and itching, you will need to rotate the injection sites periodically.
Your physician will normally start your dosing level at 0.25 milligrams before gradually increasing during the first four weeks of treatment as your body adjusts to the medication. Depending on your response, your physician may make adjustments until you find an appropriate Wegovy dosage for weight loss that works for you.
How To Maximize Wegovy Benefits
There are several ways to maximize your Wegovy treatment so you can effectively receive all the benefits it has to offer. Consistently follow these practices to ensure you’re providing yourself with the best chance for successful results:
- Inject Wegovy at the same time every week
- Safely store your Wegovy injectables
- Avoid alcohol while using Wegovy
- Discuss your medical history and any other prescription medications with a licensed specialist to ensure you receive an acceptable dosage that fits your body’s physiology
Following these guidelines will help you properly use Wegovy as it was intended and fully utilize the medication to achieve your weight loss goals.
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How Long Do I Stay on Wegovy Injections
The FDA currently approves Wegovy as a safe and effective long-term treatment for obesity. Once you start Wegovy, you can utilize the treatment for as long as you need to in order to achieve your weight loss goals. Even after reaching your desired weight, you can continue to use Wegovy as part of your weight management routine to help maintain it.
Is This Medication Suitable for Me?
Wegovy can increase the risk for serious health complications if you have certain medical conditions or are at risk for other diseases, so it may not be suitable for everyone.
If you have a medical history of health complications, you must discuss the potential risks of using Wegovy with your doctor before starting treatment. Certain health complications can include:
- Chronic kidney issues
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Allergic reactions to semaglutide
- Medullary thyroid carcinoma
After reviewing your medical history and going over the potential risks, your doctor will determine whether Wegovy is right for you.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Taking Wegovy
Like all medications, taking Wegovy to manage body weight can cause unwanted side effects, even if you’re healthy. If you experience uncomfortable or painful side effects, you should stop taking Wegovy immediately and consult your doctor before resuming treatment. Serious side effects may include:
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Gallbladder issues or gallstones
- Low blood sugar
- Kidney problems
- Increased heart rate
Typically, these side effects are rare occurrences for healthy patients. However, most patients report experiencing other more common side effects, which include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
Your physician will study your medical history to determine whether the side effects of Wegovy may be a cause for concern during treatment. They may also prescribe an adjusted dose to ensure that Wegovy is a comfortable weight loss solution that your body can tolerate.
How Much Does It Cost?
The average cost for a prescription of Wegovy will depend on the dosage and duration of treatment. Luckily, there are several payment options that you can utilize to reduce your out-of-pocket costs. For example, certain manufacturers offer copay cards to help you save money on Wegovy medications purchased directly from their company.
Wellness clinics also offer payment plans to help you manage your treatment expenses. Discuss your direct payment options with your wellness clinic and ask if they offer payment plans for Wegovy medication before starting treatment.
At Slim Weight Loss Clinic, we specialize in hormone replacement and weight loss therapy to help treat and manage medical weight loss. We offer hormone replacement options such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and other semaglutide treatments to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Contact us or visit us online to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed hormone specialists.
FAQ
Is Wegovy the same as Ozempic?
Yes. Ozempic and Wegovy are both once-weekly semaglutide injections that can help treat weight loss. However, Ozempic is typically used to treat Type 2 diabetes and control blood sugar levels, whereas Wegovy is a generic version of Ozempic designed to improve chronic weight management for obesity.
How long does it take to lose weight on Wegovy?
That will depend on your body type, diet, exercise plan, and the level of treatment progress. Patients who use Wegovy for weight loss typically start noticing results after 4 weeks of treatment.
Wegovy vs Trulicity: what's the difference
Wegovy and Trulicity are both GLP-1 agonists. However, Trulicity is used primarily to treat Type 2 diabetes, whereas Wegovy is only FDA approved to help improve long-term weight management and treat obesity.
Who should not try this drug?
Patients with a history of thyroid cancer, medullary thyroid carcinoma, or multiple endocrine neoplasia disorder should avoid taking Wegovy as it increases the risk for these conditions.
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