Better Your RX brings you an extensive look into Semaglutide, its effectiveness as a weight loss medication, how it compares to other weight management options available in the market, and how it could be what you’re looking for in your weight loss journey.
What’s Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. Initially approved as Ozempic in 2017, it catered to adults living with Type 2 diabetes in the form of a once-weekly injection. With its success in helping Type 2 diabetes patients lose weight, it was researched specifically for weight loss at higher doses, leading to Wegovy’s approval in 2021. This made it the first GLP-1 agonist for chronic weight management.
Semaglutide for Weight Loss: How It Works
The hormone GLP-1, which semaglutide mimics, plays a critical role in appetite and digestion. Its mechanisms for aiding weight loss include:
- Slowing the movement of food out of your stomach
- Targeting areas of the brain that help regulate appetite and satiety
- Reducing cravings for particular foods, such as salty snacks or sweets
Who should consider Semaglutide?
Semaglutide’s use isn’t recommended for everyone and needs to be assessed in consultation with a healthcare provider. The FDA has approved semaglutide for the following populations after being substantiated by clinical studies:
- Adults: Initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above or initial BMI of 27 and above with at least one weight-related health condition
- Adolescents (age 12-17): Initial BMI at or above the sex and age percentile
Semaglutide Dosage & Administration
Administered once a week, semaglutide can be taken any time of day, independent of meals. Initially, the dosage starts low and gradually moves up every four weeks until the target maintenance dose is 2.4mg.
Potential Side Effects of Semaglutide
While beginning the semaglutide regimen or after a dose increase, some users may experience gastrointestinal side effects. These can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, headache, and fatigue. In rare cases, potentially serious side effects such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney damage, low blood glucose, fast heart rate, worsening eye problems in people with diabetes, and increased risk of thyroid C-cell tumors may be observed.
- Proper monitoring and health management solutions provided by BetterYourRX can help manage these potential side effects effectively.
Comparisons to Other Weight Loss Medications
Semaglutide shines brightly in comparison with other weight loss medications. With the largest clinical trial showing adults losing an average of 15% of their initial body weight and adolescents losing an average of 16% of their initial body weight, it stands tall against other weight loss medications.
Semaglutide competes strongly against oral weight-loss medications which are generally less expensive but less effective. It also proves superior to the once-daily injectable GLP-1 agonist, Liraglutide (Saxenda), with average weight loss hovering around 8% from baseline body weight, and Tirzepatide (Zepbound), which has a similar effect as semaglutide.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, if you are considering a pharmaceutical intervention for weight loss in tandem with lifestyle changes, semaglutide presents an impressive option backed by extensive research and promising results. Always remember to consult a healthcare provider before starting any medication.
Here at Better You RX, we are committed to ensuring that you are supported with expert advice, comprehensive resources, and affordable access to medications like Semaglutide.
