What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) to improve blood sugar control, help in weight loss, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications in people with type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide is sold under different brand names depending on its intended use:
Ozempic: Used to improve blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy: Prescribed specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those overweight with at least one weight-related condition (high blood pressure or high cholesterol).
Rybelsus: The oral version of Semaglutide for managing type 2 diabetes.
Benefits of Semaglutide
Semaglutide aids in weight loss. Various studies have shown that Semaglutide is effective in aiding weight loss. In a clinical trial conducted for 68 weeks, people taking Semaglutide 2.4 mg lost a 14.9% change in their body weight. Semaglutide is proven to support weight loss by decreasing appetite and promoting a feeling of fullness, helping individuals reduce caloric intake.
Semaglutide improves blood sugar levels and lowers A1C levels (a long-term measure of blood sugar), which is beneficial for managing type 2 diabetes. In one clinical trial, Semaglutide has been shown to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease without diabetes. Novo Nordisk has funded multiple clinical trials on different patient demographics. The results show that Semaglutide not only helps with weight loss but also the improvement of other health markers, which improves overall health and quality of life. Semaglutide has similar benefits in different patient groups, such as obese individuals with or without type 2 diabetes.
Overall, Semaglutide provides a holistic approach to managing weight and metabolic health offering promising benefits to individuals with obesity and with type 2 diabetes or without diabetes.
How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide belongs to a drug class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. It works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite. Semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves the stomach. This leads to a feeling of fullness, reduces appetite, and helps in weight management by decreasing overall food intake. It also works to lower blood sugar levels by secreting insulin and controlling glucagon release.
When blood sugar levels rise after a meal, Semaglutide stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin helps cells absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar levels. Glucagon is a hormone that triggers the liver to produce glucose. Semaglutide suppresses glucagon secretion, reducing the liver's glucose production and preventing blood sugar spikes.
The GLP-1 hormone is a naturally occurring hormone in our bodies, and it is released when you are eating. In some cases, GLP-1 produced by the body is not enough or the brain cannot sense it, hence the production of synthetic GLP-1 medication like Semaglutide.
Semaglutide may not work for everyone, and it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to assess which medication is best suited for you. Aayu Well Healthcare ensures thorough assessment and evaluation to build a plan tailored to your needs.
How to use it
For each brand of Semaglutide, there are distinct prescribing guidelines. You should pay attention to what your healthcare practitioner instructs you and read the medication box.
Semaglutide is available in both injectable and oral forms.
Injectable (Ozempic/Wegovy): Administered once a week using a prefilled pen. It's injected under the skin, typically in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.
Oral (Rybelsus): Taken once daily with water on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else.
It’s crucial to follow your doctor’s instructions for the dosage and usage of Semaglutide. Semaglutide should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
Dosing
- Dosing depends on your specific prescribed medication and your care provider’s instructions. Please also read the pharmaceutical packaging.
- Starting dose: For injectable Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), treatment typically begins with a low dose (0.25 mg) once a week to allow the body to adjust. After four weeks, the dose is increased to 0.5 mg.
- Maintenance dose: Depending on your response to the medication, your doctor may gradually increase the dose.
- Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus): The starting dose is 3 mg once daily for 30 days, followed by an increase to 7 mg or higher based on the doctor's guidance.
Side effects
- While Semaglutide is generally well-tolerated, it can cause side effects, especially when you first start the treatment. Common side effects include nausea (most common), vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and fatigue.
- These symptoms usually improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Taking the medication as directed and making gradual adjustments to the dosage may help minimize side effects.
- If you experience severe abdominal pain or persistent nausea and vomiting, these could be signs of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). If you experience severe stomach problems like persistent abdominal bloating or pain, acid reflux, a feeling of fullness after eating only a small amount, nausea, or vomiting undigested food hours after eating, it may indicate gastroparesis (stomach paralysis). Be sure to seek medical attention immediately if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Black Box Warning
- Semaglutide has a black box warning regarding the potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumors. If you have a painless lump in your neck (the lump may grow gradually), trouble swallowing, change in your voice (hoarseness), or have difficulty swallowing, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
- As a precaution, the FDA warns patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should avoid using any brand containing Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus).
Precautions
- Before you start Semaglutide, inform your healthcare provider if you have a history of pancreatitis, a history of thyroid cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, or gastrointestinal issues.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Semaglutide because it is not known if it will harm your unborn baby or pass into your breast milk.
- Semaglutide is not for insulin-dependent diabetics (type 1 diabetes). When Semaglutide is taken with insulin, and the insulin dose is reduced too quickly, it can lead to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which increases the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
Interactions
- Semaglutide may interact with certain medications, potentially affecting how they work. Tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking, including:
- Diabetes medications: Using Semaglutide with insulin or other diabetes drugs (sulfonylureas) may increase the risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
- Birth control pills
- Other GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications
- Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medications while using Semaglutide.
