Semaglutide
(Pronounced Sem a gloo tide)
Semaglutide for
Weight Management
Semaglutide (brand name, Wegovy) is a once-weekly injection for chronic weight management in adults when used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise. Like many who struggle with weight, semaglutide has become a game changer in helping people lose and maintain weight.
What does semaglutide do?
- Reduction in appetite and food cravings.
- Increases feeling of fullness.
- Although results may vary, it is common for patients to lose 1-2 pounds per week as they progress through the program. Some patients have reported weight loss of 15-20% of their body weight.
What to expect at your initial, complimentary consultation. The clinician will:
- Review a pre-appointment and health and physical questionnaire.
- Conduct a general physical exam including but not limited to weight, and height, and calculate BMI, heart rate, rhythm, etc.
- Review contraindications, precautions, and side effects and educate you on the program.
- Order blood work.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that’s administered once weekly for people that are overweight or obese.
How does semaglutide work for weight loss?
GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a role in your appetite and digestion. Incretins — hormones released by your small intestine — are sent out by your body after you’ve eaten a meal to help lower your blood sugar by triggering insulin and blocking other sources of sugar. It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach (called gastric emptying). The result of these actions causes you to feel full — lowering your appetite and causing you to lose weight. Medications like GLP-1 agonists are referred to as incretin mimetics since they “mimic” these effects.
How long is the weight loss program?
We recommend that patients enroll in a 3-month/12-week program. This allows the semaglutide to slowly take effect while attempting to limit unfavorable side effects.
How is semaglutide administered?
Semaglutide is administered in either the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm subcutaneously on the same day each week, at any time of day. This can be self-administered at home or by one of our clinicians. The clinicians will show you how to administer the semaglutide and provide you with the needles and syringes to do so.
Does the injection hurt?
Not really. Unlike intermuscular injections, like vaccines, subcutaneous injections are just below the skin and relatively painless.
What are the contraindications of semaglutide?
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- If you are diabetic, please contact your doctor.
- Past suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, uncontrolled psychiatric disorders.
- Allergies to GLP-1 medications.
- History of pancreatitis or severe alcohol abuse.
- Renal impairment.
What are the common side effects of semaglutide?
- Endocrine metabolic: Hypoglycemia (Monotherapy, 1.6% to 3.8%; combination therapy, 6% to 30%)
- Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain (20%), Constipation (24%), Diarrhea (30%), Nausea (44%), Vomiting (24%)
- Neurologic: Headache (14%)