Semaglutide is a new breakthrough medication recently approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. It is an injectable prescription medicine used for adults with obesity or overweight, in conjunction with diet and exercise.
Semaglutide helps people achieve significant and sustained weight loss by reducing hunger, increasing feelings of fullness, and thereby helping to control calorie intake. In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide lost on average 12-15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that regulates appetite by targeting areas of the brain involved in appetite control. It works by:
By influencing appetite regulation and calorie intake, semaglutide facilitates caloric deficit required for weight loss. It reduces hunger, increases satiety, and decreases cravings - making it easier to eat less and lose weight.
Multiple large clinical trials have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of semaglutide in producing significant weight loss:
Furthermore, semaglutide showed superior efficacy compared to other weight loss medications. People are 2-3 times more likely to achieve substantial weight loss with semaglutide versus other anti-obesity drugs.
Semaglutide is administered as a weekly injection started at a low dose which is gradually increased to improve gastrointestinal tolerance.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled pen to allow easy self-administration. The injection goes into fatty tissue in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm.
No loading doses are required - the gradual dose escalation reduces side effects. If side effects occur, the dose increase may be delayed by 4 weeks.
While taking semaglutide, patients should monitor blood glucose levels and watch for signs of diabetic ketoacidosis - rapid weight loss can affect blood sugar regulation.
Healthcare providers will monitor patients via:
Vitamin B12 levels may also be monitored as semaglutide can reduce B12 absorption.
Along with impressive weight loss efficacy, semaglutide provides additional health benefits:
Furthermore, sustained weight loss achieved with semaglutide can also reduce long-term health risks associated with obesity like heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
At Harmonize Health, our physicians specialize in medical weight loss including cutting-edge medications like semaglutide.
We conduct comprehensive health evaluations to determine if semaglutide is appropriate, monitor patients to ensure efficacy and safety, and provide lifestyle counseling to promote long-term weight loss success.
To learn more about semaglutide or to book a consultation regarding eligibility for semaglutide weight loss therapy in Dickinson, contact Harmonize Health today!
The most common side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea - especially when treatment is initiated. These tend to be mild-moderate and subside over time.
Semaglutide may increase the risk of thyroid cancer; therefore, it is not recommended for patients with a personal/family history of certain types of thyroid malignancies.
Acute kidney injury has also been reported in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide, although causality has not been established. Healthcare providers monitor kidney function in patients on treatment.
There are a few options for taking semaglutide:
| Delivery Method | Frequency | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-filled pen | Once weekly injection | Easy to administer yourself | Needle phobia |
| Mini-tablets | Take daily capsule | No injections | Lower efficacy |
| Implant | Replace every 26 weeks | Convenient dosing | Insertion/removal procedure |
Semaglutide injections remain the gold standard delivery method with maximum efficacy. However, the implant and oral preparations offer useful alternatives for needle-averse patients.
While semaglutide promotes weight loss through appetite/food intake regulation, making healthy lifestyle changes vastly improves long-term success:
With semaglutide to control appetite paired with positive lifestyle changes, patients can lose substantial weight and keep it off.
Losing weight with semaglutide has the dual benefit of improving both physical and mental health.
Research shows that intentional weight loss can:
By facilitating weight control, semaglutide helps create a positive cycle - losing excess fat improves mental health parameters which further promotes adherence to healthy behaviors. Leading to greater weight loss success!
Emerging research has revealed common biochemical pathways underpinning both longevity and metabolic health.
Pharmaceutical anti-aging strategies target these shared mechanisms. Semaglutide slows the functional decline of aging by:
Preliminary studies show greater longevity in animal models treated with GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide. Human trials are underway investigating their anti-aging potential!
In conclusion, semaglutide represents an innovative medical option for managing weight issues. This prescription injectable medication promotes substantial weight loss and provides myriad health benefits beyond cosmetic slimming. Lifestyle modifications further augment therapeutic success. For personalized treatment guidance with clinically-proven weight loss approaches like semaglutide, schedule a consultation at Harmonize Health serving Dickinson today!
