Semaglutide: All About This New Weapon in the Weight Loss Battle

Losing weight isn’t as easy as counting calories and exercising. These activities build the foundation, but they don’t guarantee success. Now, you have another effective tool — semaglutide — the first new weight loss medication in a decade.

Are you familiar with semaglutide? If not, you probably know about Ozempic® and Wegovy®, two new medications that give people hope of winning the weight loss battle.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient responsible for their profound success.

At Premiere Medical Center in Toluca Lake, California, our team offers comprehensive weight loss services, including helping you develop a sustainable lifestyle and prescribing semaglutide, a life-changing treatment for achieving and maintaining your healthy weight.

Let’s explore what you should know about semaglutide.

How semaglutide works

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Here’s what that means and how it helps you lose weight.

Your body produces GLP-1 (a hormone) and automatically releases it when you eat. As a GLP-1 agonist, semaglutide activates the same biochemical reactions as your natural GLP-1.

Whether GLP-1 comes from your body or a prescription medication, it interacts with numerous organs, including your intestines, pancreas, and brain, resulting in several changes that support weight loss.

GLP-1 stimulates the release of insulin, lowering your blood sugar levels. The medication may also improve your body’s ability to use insulin. It also reduces your appetite, makes you feel full, and slows stomach emptying (helping you feel full longer).

Though unrelated to weight loss, your heart and blood vessels also have GLP-1 receptors, accounting for the medication’s ability to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attacks.

Candidates for semaglutide

Most people who are overweight or obese are good candidates for semaglutide. However, there are a few exceptions.

You shouldn’t consider semaglutide if you have a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or you’re diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). It’s also essential to stop using the medication a few months before getting pregnant.

We can prescribe the medication but closely monitor your health if you have a history of pancreatitis or acute gallbladder disease.

Semaglutide-containing medications

The FDA has approved three semaglutide-containing medications:

Ozempic and Rybelsus®

Ozempic (a weekly injection) and Rybelsus (daily tablets) are for adults with Type 2 diabetes. They also lower the risk of heart problems.

Though we can prescribe these medications “off-label” (to treat a condition that hasn’t received FDA approval), your insurance provider may not cover an off-label prescription.

Wegovy

Wegovy is a weekly injection to treat Type 2 diabetes and reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Unlike the first two brands, Wegovy is also FDA-approved for weight management. People who are obese or overweight and have health complications like high blood pressure or high cholesterol can use Wegovy to support their weight loss efforts.

Possible side effects

Most people tolerate semaglutide well. If side effects occur, they’re usually mild and limited to gastrointestinal problems, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and tummy pain. Some people experience headaches or fatigue.

These potential issues usually occur when you first start taking semaglutide and improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Semaglutide isn’t a miracle drug

Whether you’ve been on the frustrating cycle of losing and gaining weight for years, or you recently started dieting and can’t lose weight, semaglutide may seem like a miracle solution — but it’s not.

Like all weight loss medications, semaglutide isn’t a stand-alone treatment. Instead, it’s prescribed to support a healthy lifestyle.

That’s why our comprehensive weight management services include helping you create a balanced meal plan that limits calories. We also encourage you to find an enjoyable activity that makes it easier to get regular exercise.

Ready to learn how semaglutide can help you reach your weight loss goals? Call Premiere Medical Center today or request an appointment online.