Semaglutide- The game changer in weight loss

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. The FDA-approved Wegovy (Semaglutide) for use in chronic weight management in adults who are obese or overweight when used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Semaglutide is the first approved drug for chronic weight management in overweight or obese patients since 2014.

What kind of results can I expect? What did the studies show?

Semaglutide works best when combined with a regular exercise plan and lower-calorie diet. After about 1 year, people who took semaglutide along with a lower-calorie diet and exercise lost an average of 10-16 % of their starting body weight compared to those following a lower-calories diet and exercise plan only. A recent 20-week trial found that patients lost 9.9% of their body weight, compared with 0.4% in those not taking semaglutide.

Are you a candidate for Semaglutide?

If you are Obese… a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30,

or a BMI over 27 with one weight-related condition

such as high-blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, high cholesterol...

Calculate your BMI CLICK HERE

What are GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications?

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists), also known as incretin mimetics, are a class of prescription medications that have been proven to be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and in support of losing body weight. 

GLP-1 medications mimic the effect of the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced in the gastrointestinal tract. GLP-1 meds were initially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2005 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Experts soon learned that, in addition to improving blood glucose levels and A1C for diabetes care, GLP1-s also brought about not-insignificant weight loss and other metabolic health benefits. 

How do GLP-1s like Semaglutide work?

In your body, incretin hormones are released whenever food is consumed. Among other things, they help promote a feeling of fullness by delaying gastric emptying and activating the satiety centers of the brain. They also boost insulin production in the pancreas and suppress glucagon production, both of which help normalize blood sugar levels. All of this happens in a glucose-dependent manner, which means incretin hormones—or their imitators, i.e., GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists—are unlikely to cause severe hypoglycemia.

GLP-1 drugs target this underlying biology that is most critical for weight loss by affecting your body’s set point and improving how it handles insulin and glucose. GLP-1s also work to improve metabolic health, with far-reaching benefits including reducing Inflammation and cardiovascular (heart disease) risk. These medications don’t just help you lose weight, they help you to live a longer and healthier life.

What about your natural incretin hormones? Studies have found that people with overweight or obesity may have a reduction in incretin effects, particularly if they have had frequent weight fluctuations due to yo-yo dieting. GLP-1 medication narrows the gap, making it easier to reach your goals and lower your metabolic set point.

The GLP-1 weight loss drugs help your body to fight the natural increases in appetite and hunger that occur as you begin to lose weight. They also work with aspects of your metabolic system, including your body’s blood sugar regulation and your weight “set point,” so you can keep weight off for the long term.

All GLP-1 medications need to be used alongside lifestyle changes, i.e., changes to food, sleep, and exercise.

How are GLP-1s different from other weight loss medications?

GLP-1s address the underlying biology that is most important for weight management. Other weight loss medications do not.

Phentermine, for example, is a stimulant (an amphetamine-like analog) that reduces hunger so that you can more easily stick to a low-calorie diet—but again, restricting food intake is not a sustainable solution for weight loss. Phentermine can also cause serious side effects including migraines, increased thirst, dry mouth, and significant elevated blood pressure—which can force your heart to work harder and exacerbate any existing heart conditions. 

Contrave, another prescription weight loss medication, is a combination of Wellbutrin (a medicine primarily used in the treatment of depression), and naltrexone (a drug used primarily in the prevention of alcohol or opioid abuse). Like phentermine, Contrave helps to reduce appetite but does not address the most important underlying biology of weight gain.

Are there any risks to taking GLP-1s?

There are a couple of contraindications for GLP-1 medications. The first is a history of pancreatitis or for people who have gallbladder disease. We also do not recommend GLP-1s if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN (multiple endocrine neoplasia).

Since they were first approved in 2005, 17 years of research demonstrate that, for most people, GLP-1s are a safe and effective treatment option to improve metabolic health and support weight loss, and the medication has even been approved for use in children twelve years of age and older. 

What are the most common side effects?

Many individuals don’t have any side effects at all with GLP-1s. However, for those who do, nausea is the most common possible side effect. If you get nausea it typically goes away after 3-4 weeks. If the nausea is intolerable after escalating your GLP-1 dose, you can go back to your prior dose and stay on that.  Other possible side effects of GLP-1 meds include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Stomach (abdomen) pain

• Bloating, belching, or gas

• Heartburn

These side effects are mild and decrease over time as your body becomes adjusted to the medication. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effects of your GLP-1 medication that become bothersome or that don’t go away. If you experience any allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis or shortness of breath, please seek immediate medical care. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is rare with GLP-1 medications.

Can I take GLP-1s with other medications?

GLP-1s are safe to take with most other medications, including those for high blood pressure, thyroid, and diabetes medications. Your doctor will review your medical history and medication lists to avoid any contraindications. Keep in mind that GLP-1s are not prescribed for individuals with type-1 diabetes.

How long do I need to take a GLP-1 medication?

GLP-1 medications aren’t short-term fixes. They form part of a comprehensive program designed to make long-lasting changes to your life and health.

GLP-1 medications are intended to support your metabolic health in the long run, so it’s important that you continue to take them as long as your doctor recommends and as long as you wish to reap their health benefits. Though specific recommendations vary from person to person, the minimum recommendation for most patients is one year. 

What else should I know about GLP-1s?  

Our goal in prescribing GLP-1 medication isn’t primarily to help our members to lose weight—it’s to improve their metabolic and overall health. Losing weight is the added benefit.

How is Semaglutide administered?

Semaglutide is a prescription drug that is given Once-a Week by subcutaneous(SQ) injection. That may sound scary, but the injections are given with a VERY SMALL needle (about the size of a strand of hair) in the abdomen area. These injections are self-administered in the comfort of you home (similar to insulin injections) once every 7 days. Every 4 weeks the amount increases until you reach a maintenance dose around month 5. Click here to learn about SQ injections

Are there any conditions that would prevent me from taking Semaglutide?

• If you are preganant, trying to get preganant or breast feeding you should not use Semaglutide.

• There are conditions where semaglutide is contraindicated ==> Patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2 (MEN type2) should not take semaglutide. Also, patients that are taking Insulin (type-1 Diabetes), have Gallbladder disease, a history of pancreatits, or recent Bariatric surgery should avoid using Semaglutide.

What are the side effects from taking Semaglutide?

The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, low blood sugar in patients with type-2 diabetes and heartburn. These side effects are mild and decrease over time as your body becomes adjusted to the medication.