Semaglutide is a medication that was first created for use in injections administered to patients suffering from type 2 diabetes as it helped with managing insulin production. A common side effect was soon noticed as weight-loss, so clinical trials began to test the efficacy of semaglutide as a weight-loss medication, and the results were extremely positive. Now FDA approved, when used as part of a medical weight-loss treatment, semaglutide injections have proven to help patients lose up to 15 to 20% of their original weight and since its approval in 2021, has helped thousands of patients with weight management.

Semaglutide functions by mimicking a hormone that we naturally produce by our gastrointestinal system for multiple reasons. For treating type 2 diabetes, that hormone is produced to stimulate the pancreas and help insulin production, which is why semaglutide works for helping those with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. That same hormone is also used in our bodies to notify our brain that we are feeling full, which is why semaglutide also works very well for weight-loss. The body’s reaction to the production of this mimicked hormone is to slow down the speed at which food is processed through our stomachs, and this slowing down is what notifies our brains that we are full, leading to a decrease in appetite and thus a reduction in how much food is being consumed, making consuming a calorie-deficit diet much easier to maintain.

For use as a weight-loss treatment, semaglutide is administered as weekly injections, often starting as a lower dosage and gradually being increased to minimize the risk of side-effects. The dosage will be closely monitored and adjusted throughout the process to ensure that the treatment is customized for your specific needs and goals while minimizing risk and being mindful of your safety.

Semaglutide is considered one of the safest weight-loss medications available on the market, while rare, it still comes with some of its own side effects of which you should be mindful. Since the medication functions in the gastrointestinal system, the most common side effects will occur in the gastrointestinal system. These common side effects include:

– Constipation
– Diarrhea
– Gas
– Heartburn
– Nausea
– Stomach pain
– Vomiting

Side effects from semaglutide for weight-loss are rare, but can all lead to some level of discomfort, so starting with a low dosage and consulting with the health care professional that is administering the injections on a weekly basis is key to further avoiding suffering from any of the associated side effects. Many patients will also be prescribed a medication called Zofran, which is an oral medication that helps with nausea, just to have some on hand to alleviate any symptoms you may experience.

The intended use of semaglutide for weight-loss treatment is to be used on patients who are considered obese or overweight and suffer from a weight-related health condition. To be considered obese, you must have a BMI of at least 30 or higher, or have a BMI of 27 or higher to be considered overweight. Some medical conditions that are associated with being overweight include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Even though semaglutide is safe for medical weight loss use for patients who fall into those categories, it is not recommended for those with a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have a known allergy to semaglutide.

Semaglutide is a recently approved medication for weight-loss, but it is already considered a well-established competitor against those that have been available and used for some time now due to its effectiveness and minimal side effects. Medical weight-loss treatments have become one of the most effective and safe means of weight-management for those who are at an increased risk of developing weight-related health conditions. Finding a medication that is safe to use and that offers very effective results that are sustainable was difficult until semaglutide injections for weight-loss became FDA approved in 2021. For more information, contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Lecanto FL, Pine Ridge FL, Beverly Hills FL, Citrus Hills FL, Hernando FL, Dunnellon FL, Citrus Springs FL, Crystal River FL, Homosassa Springs FL, Inverness FL, and Black Diamond FL.