Semaglutide is an injectable medication originally approved for treating type 2 diabetes. More recently, it has shown great promise as an effective weight loss treatment. Semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and food intake.
When used for weight loss, semaglutide helps you feel fuller faster so you eat less. It also slows digestion so you feel satisfied longer after a meal. In clinical trials, people using semaglutide lost significantly more weight compared to placebo.
Benefits of using semaglutide for weight loss include:
Below we dive deeper into how semaglutide promotes weight loss and why it may be right for you.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works via several mechanisms:
Semaglutide tell your brain you are full and should stop eating. People on semaglutide report feeling very full even after eating small amounts of food. This appetite suppression means you naturally eat less without constantly feeling hungry or deprived.
In addition to appetite signaling, semaglutide slows down the speed at which food empties from your stomach and enters the intestines. This keeps you feeling physically full for longer between meals.
By improving the body's blood sugar control, semaglutide reduces fat storage and fluctuations in energy. This can curb food cravings that lead to overeating.
Together, these effects make it easier to lose excess fat through consuming fewer calories. Treatment with semaglutide for obesity is shown to be quite effective for substantial and sustained weight loss.
Semaglutide may be an option for you if:
This medication can work for most adults trying to lose a significant amount of weight, both men and women. It is not recommended for people under age 18.
Semaglutide is appropriate for those with obesity looking to improve their health through weight loss. Talk to your doctor about whether it is right for your needs.
Semaglutide is taken once weekly by self-administered injection under the skin. The injection pen has a very thin needle so the injections are virtually painless.
Treatment starts with a low 0.25 mg weekly dose. This allows your body to adjust and reduces potential side effects. After 4 weeks, the dosage increases to the target maintenance dose of 1 mg injected weekly.
Most people stay on semaglutide for 6 months up to 2 years depending on how much weight they need to lose. Your doctor will determine how long to continue treatment based on your progress meeting weight loss goals.
In large clinical studies of semaglutide for treating obesity, participants lost significantly more weight compared to placebo treatments:
This amount of weight loss can make a big difference in obesity-related health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and more.
In a key trial, over 2,600 people with overweight or obesity used semaglutide. After 68 weeks those using semaglutide 1 mg lost an average of 34 pounds compared to just 7 pounds for the placebo group.
Semaglutide has an excellent safety record based on its use for type 2 diabetes treatment. The most common side effects are mild stomach issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These usually resolve within 4-8 weeks as your body adjusts.
To reduce nausea, inject semaglutide with food or drink. Starting with the 0.25 mg dose for a month also minimizes tolerance issues. Drink plenty of fluids and contact your doctor if nausea is severe or persists.
Rare but serious side effects include inflammation of the pancreas, kidney problems, low blood sugar, allergic reaction, changes in vision, and suicidal thoughts. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any concerning or unusual symptoms.
Semaglutide was originally only available under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus to treat diabetes. Those versions required special approval to use off-label for obesity treatment.
In 2021, the FDA approved Wegovy as the first GLP-1 medication specifically for chronic weight management. However, Wegovy has been persistently backordered since shortly after its launch.
Fortunately, Renewal Hormone Center provides pharmacy-compounded semaglutide of equal quality and effectiveness as Wegovy. This gives you access along with the clinical support for success.
Choosing Renewal Hormone Center for semaglutide gives you these advantages:
Our Fair Haven, NJ clinic provides customized weight care in a comfortable setting near your home.
Our compassionate providers tailor semaglutide treatment to your health profile for optimal safety and results.
In addition to medication, we offer counseling on nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management for long-term success.
We work with you on affordable packages for those with high deductibles or lacking weight loss coverage.
Losing excess weight improves nearly all aspects of your physical health as well as mental outlook and self-confidence. At Renewal Hormone Center, we partner with you to map out an individualized plan based on advanced medical and lifestyle strategies.
We help many Fair Haven-area residents struggling with extra weight improve their health through safe, sustainable weight loss. Our compassionate providers listen and then leverage the latest technologies like semaglutide tailored to your needs.
In addition to obesity medication, we offer coaching on meal planning, fitness ideas, sleep optimization, reducing stress, and sticking to healthy changes long-term. Supporting the physical, mental and emotional sides of weight care leads to profound transformation.
Renewal Hormone Center provides personalized medical weight management and hormone therapy services since 2021. We accept new patients in our welcoming local office or via telehealth appointments.
