In the summer of 2021, the FDA approved a drug called Semaglutide. It is, according to numerous studies, the most effective FDA-approved drug ever created for inducing and managing weight loss.
The question is: how effective is it? We’re going to answer that question and more below, giving you a full overview of what Semaglutide has to offer. Here is everything you need to know about using Semaglutide for weight loss.
How Is Semaglutide Administered?
Semaglutide is administered via injection once a week. While it can be done in-office, it’s often done by the user themselves.
In order to receive positive results, you must inject yourself on the same day every week. So, if you did it on Tuesday last week, you must do it on Tuesday this week. The hour at which you inject yourself doesn’t matter.
Injections can be done in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Note, though, that you should switch up the injection spot from week to week.
The dosage of Semaglutide will ramp up until you reach 2.4 mg. In the first week you’ll inject 0.25 mg, then 0.5 mg in the second week, 1 mg in the third week, 1.7 mg in the fourth week, and 2.4 mg every week thereafter.
How Does Semaglutide Work?
Semaglutide is a hormone released by the body’s digestive tract. Its responsibility is to lower blood sugar after a meal is eaten, and to keep food in the stomach longer than it would stay otherwise.
By adding additional Semaglutide to the body, these effects are essentially multiplied. Therefore, food stays in the stomach even longer and blood sugar is lowered even more after a meal is eaten.
The result is a feeling of complete fullness. In other words, the user of the medication feels fuller for longer and therefore has less of a desire to eat more food. The less food that the user eats, the more weight they’ll lose over time.
Is Semaglutide Effective?
There have been several weight loss drugs released over the years. To this point, Semaglutide appears to be the most effective.
In a study of nearly 2,000 adults with a BMI over 30, the drug was seen to induce an average weight loss of 14.9% over a 68-week period. In comparison, those who didn’t take the drug experienced an average weight loss of just 2.4%.
So, let’s say you were 200 pounds. If you were to lose 14.9% of your body weight, you would end up weighing around 170 pounds at the end of a 68-week period. Yes, regular exercise and a healthy diet are required, but, due to the drug’s appetite-reducing effects, you’ll eat less and therefore lose more.
In short, this is quite an effective medication. If you’ve long struggled to shed extra pounds, it could make all the difference in the world for you.
The Side Effects of Semaglutide
As with all medications, Semaglutide does come with some side effects. We’ll discuss these in detail below.
Gastrointestinal Effects
As you might expect, this medication can cause some gastrointestinal issues. These include indigestion, bloating, stomach pain, and, in some cases, constipation. Excess burping was a problem for some study participants as well.
Fatigue
Some study participants experienced fatigue as well. This included things like lightheadedness, dizziness, and headache.
Allergic Reactions
In rare cases, users of this medication experience allergic reactions. These include swelling of the mouth and tongue. This can lead to breathing troubles in some individuals.
Organ Issues
In even rarer cases, users experience damage to the kidneys, gallbladder, and/or pancreas. This damage can lead to problems like pancreatitis and cholelithiasis.
Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar was seen to be a side effect in some users. As such, it may not be an appropriate option for some of those with diabetes.
The Risk of Thyroid C-cell Tumors
The FDA has also issued a warning that Semaglutide could result in the formation of thyroid C-cell tumors, particularly in those with thyroid cancer, in their family history. Note, though, that this effect has only been seen in animals thus far.
Does Semaglutide Require Other Weight Loss Efforts?
Now that you’ve read the study statistics, you might be wondering: does Semaglutide require any other weight loss efforts? The answer is yes.
See, what Semaglutide does is reduce the appetite. This, in and of itself, doesn’t cause you to burn off any calories.
However, because you’re not as hungry, you’ll be much less likely to reach for a snack or a second helping of dinner. You’ll feel sated throughout the day and will be able to resist old temptations.
Therefore, the injection alone will likely help you to lose weight. Couple this with regular exercise and a good diet and weight loss is almost a certainty.
So, in summation: Semaglutide doesn’t directly cause weight loss. However, it creates a condition in your body and mind that facilitates the rapid loss of weight. In other words, you’ll lose weight with just the slightest effort.
Interested in Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide does help you to lose weight, especially when paired with a good diet and regular exercise. Adding it to your regimen could help you cut those additional pesky pounds.
Interested in using Semaglutide for weight loss? If so, we here at Nuvo You are the people to see. We offer Semaglutide injections at affordable prices and have helped a bevy of Miami Beach residents improve their health and wellness.
Contact us today to discuss your needs!