Semaglutide is an injectable medication that helps with weight loss and diabetes management. As a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, semaglutide mimics the effects of a hormone called GLP-1, which stimulates insulin release after you eat. With the help of your doctor, semaglutide can help you improve your blood sugar control, feel less hungry, and lose excess weight.
How Semaglutide Works
Semaglutide activates receptors for GLP-1 in your pancreas, gut, and brain. In your pancreas, semaglutide causes your body to release more insulin when your blood sugar rises after eating and less glucagon, another hormone involved in blood sugar control. This helps avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes.
In your gut and brain, semaglutide slows digestion and reduces your appetite. By curbing your hunger and decreasing how many calories you take in, semaglutide can help you lose weight and keep it off.
According to Dr. Thomas Wadden, an obesity expert at the University of Pennsylvania, “Semaglutide seems to reduce appetite by acting on areas of the brain involved in hunger and feeling full.”
For weight loss, the typical dosage of semaglutide is 0.5 mg to 2.4 mg injected under your skin once a week. Higher doses, especially 2.4 mg per week, tend to produce the biggest weight loss based on clinical trials. On average, patients can expect to lose 12-15% of their starting body weight when combined with diet and exercise changes over 9 months.
Several studies found that semaglutide at doses of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg can lead to significant and sustained weight loss for up to 2 years when used with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. In one study, participants on semaglutide 2.4 mg lost 14.9% of their body weight versus 2.4% for placebo participants after 68 weeks. Another study found that semaglutide 2.4 mg, plus lifestyle changes, led to weight loss of 15.3% after 20 weeks. Side effects were usually gastrointestinal issues like nausea, diarrhea, or constipation, which often lessen over time.
Longer-term data and potential risks beyond 2 years are still needed. But semaglutide is a promising option for long-term weight management under a doctor’s care and guidance. Ongoing monitoring is important to ensure it’s working well and safely for you.
Benefits of Losing Weight With Semaglutide
In addition to helping you achieve and maintain a healthier weight, semaglutide may provide other health benefits:
- Better blood sugar control and lower diabetes risk: By regulating your blood sugar and insulin, semaglutide can help manage diabetes or reduce the chances of developing it.
- Lower heart disease risk factors: Losing weight with semaglutide may help decrease high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other risks to your heart health.
- Improved quality of life: Studies show that losing at least 10% of your body weight can significantly boost mood, daily functioning, and mobility.
- Weight maintenance: Semaglutide seems to support sustained weight loss for over 2 years, though continued treatment and lifestyle interventions are still required. We need more research to know if the effects continue long-term.
- Potentially lower cancer risk: Obesity is a risk factor for many cancers. So, losing weight may help decrease your cancer risk, according to some research. However, semaglutide could raise the risk of certain thyroid tumors, though we need more evidence.
You and your doctor should weigh all the benefits and risks of using semaglutide for weight loss based on your unique situation. Close monitoring while on semaglutide can help maximize benefits and minimize health risks.
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The most common side effects involve gastrointestinal issues such as:
- Nausea – Usually mild to moderate but can sometimes be serious. Tends to lessen over time as your body adjusts. Anti-nausea medication may help.
- Diarrhea or constipation – Often manageable with diet changes and over-the-counter treatments. Staying hydrated and consuming probiotics might also help. See your doctor if severe or ongoing.
- Stomach pain or bloating – Temporary effects as your body adapts to semaglutide. Pain relievers and gas medications can offer relief.
- Rare but serious side effects to watch for include:
- Pancreatitis – Inflammation of your pancreas. People with a history of pancreatitis should not use semaglutide. Seek medical care immediately if you notice severe, persistent stomach pain, which could indicate pancreatitis.
- Low blood sugar – The risk is higher if you take semaglutide with other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas. Check your blood sugar often, especially when starting semaglutide or if your dosage or other medications change.
- Increased heart rate – Semaglutide may temporarily speed up your heart rate. See your doctor if your heart rate increases, worries you, or causes symptoms like chest pain.
- Gallbladder problems – There have been rare cases of gallbladder inflammation or blockage in people on GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide. Talk to your doctor about severe stomach pain, nausea, fever, or other gallbladder symptoms.
- Thyroid tumors – GLP-1 drugs may raise the risk of thyroid cancer, though we need more proof. Your thyroid function and symptoms should be monitored regularly. See your doctor if you notice symptoms like a neck lump, a hoarse voice, or difficulty swallowing.
Semaglutide should be used with diet and exercise for the best weight loss results. It’s not meant to replace a healthy lifestyle. Significant, sustained weight loss usually requires medication, behavior and diet changes, physical activity, and an ongoing commitment to your health and well-being with support from medical professionals.
To maximize your weight loss and health gains, semaglutide should be combined with lifestyle changes like:
- Cutting calories: Aim for 500 to 1000 calories less daily to lose about 1-2 pounds weekly. Focus on protein, high-fiber grains, fruits, and vegetables. Limit high-calorie carbs and unhealthy fats.
- Exercising most days: Aim for at least 30 minutes of daily aerobic, strength, or interval training. Walking, jogging, and gym workouts are all great options. Take the stairs when you can, and look for other ways to increase your activity.
- Setting small goals and rewards: Don't just focus on the big goal. Set milestones to stay on track, e.g., lose 1-2 pounds per week or exercise 30 minutes 3 times weekly. Reward yourself when you achieve them!
- Tracking your progress: Weigh yourself regularly and record your calories/activity to see what's working. Look for trends over time rather than day-to-day changes. Make adjustments as needed to keep progressing.
- Staying accountable: Tell family and friends about your goals so they can support you. Consider working with a dietitian or personal trainer. Follow up with your doctor to report your progress and address any issues. Accountability is key.
- Staying motivated: Try positive self-talk, vision boards, progress photos, or reward systems. Find ways to make your routine sustainable and interesting. Staying motivated long-term is challenging but possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to clinical trials, most people lose 12-15% of their starting body weight, 24-45 pounds for those weighing 200-300 pounds, over about 9 months when prescribed semaglutide for weight loss. However, weight loss can vary from person to person and depends on lifestyle changes.
Semaglutide is meant for long-term use and can help with sustained weight loss for at least 2 years when combined with diet and exercise changes. The effects beyond 2 years are still unknown. You should take semaglutide under guidance from your doctor, who will determine if and when it’s appropriate to stop based on your situation.
Semaglutide can be used safely for weight loss for up to 2 years when prescribed by a doctor, properly dosed, and monitored. However, as with any medication, there are risks and benefits to consider for each person. Discuss your medical history and health with your doctor to determine if the benefits outweigh the risks in your case. Close follow-up, especially when starting semaglutide, helps maximize safety.
Oral semaglutide is still being studied and not yet approved for weight loss. If approved, it might produce similar weight loss to injectable semaglutide, which helps patients lose 12-15% of their body weight on average when combined with lifestyle changes. However, the dosage, risks, and long-term effects of oral semaglutide are still unknown and require further research.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach discomfort. Rare but serious side effects can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar, increased heart rate, and potential thyroid tumors. It would be best to talk to your doctor about all possible side effects before using semaglutide.
Semaglutide works in three ways:
- It activates GLP-1 receptors in your pancreas to release insulin and lower glucagon, which helps regulate blood sugar.
- It slows digestion and suppresses appetite by activating GLP-1 receptors in your gut and brain. Slower digestion and less hunger mean you take in fewer calories.
- According to research, It acts on areas of your brain involved in hunger and feeling full to reduce your appetite.
Based on studies, semaglutide can be safely used for weight loss for up to 2 years under medical supervision. However, as with any medication, there are risks and benefits to consider for each person. Discuss your medical history and health with your doctor to determine if semaglutide is safe and suitable. Ongoing monitoring, especially when starting semaglutide, is key to maximizing safety and benefits. Lifestyle changes also help ensure the best results.
