Semaglutide is an injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. It helps lower blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss by decreasing appetite and calorie intake. Semaglutide is similar to a hormone called GLP-1 that is released naturally by the body after eating. It belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Semaglutide works in a few key ways:
- Activates areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation
- Increases feelings of fullness and reduces food cravings/hunger
- Slows stomach emptying so you feel full longer after eating
- Increases insulin production which lowers blood sugar levels
- Reduces daily calorie intake leading to fat burning and weight loss
Some of the main benefits of using semaglutide include:
- Most people lose 10-15% of body weight over 1 year
- Helps maintain long-term weight loss
- Lowers average blood sugar levels (measured by HbA1c test)
- May reduce risk of heart attack, stroke and other heart issues
- Common side effects are mild GI issues like nausea, diarrhea
- Does not typically cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Taken just once weekly by injection under the skin
It's important to seek timely treatment for hormonal deficiencies or conditions like obesity and diabetes. When left untreated, these issues can worsen over time and lead to complications. Getting evaluated and starting treatment early with medications like semaglutide can help prevent long-term health problems.
Here at Prime Hormone Solutions, our experienced medical staff offers cutting-edge therapies personalized to your unique health needs. We help patients achieve better health through hormone optimization, medically-supervised weight loss, and management of chronic conditions.
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We proudly serve patients in and surrounding communities. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment!Here is a 5-topic FAQ with answers about Semaglutide injections in markdown format with an h2 header:
Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is in a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Semaglutide helps the pancreas release more insulin when blood sugar levels are high, especially after eating. It also decreases the rate at which food leaves your stomach, allowing you to feel full longer.
The recommended dose of semaglutide is 1 milligram once weekly, injected under the skin of your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Your doctor will likely have you start at a lower dose of .25 or .5 mg once weekly for 4 weeks before moving up to the 1 mg dose. This allows your body to get used to the medication. Be sure to rotate your injection site each week to avoid irritation.
In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide 1mg had significant A1C reductions of 1.5-2% on average. Most people also lost 10-15 pounds over the course of 1 year. Of course, results vary by individual based on medication adherence, diet, exercise, and other variables. But the research shows semaglutide is very effective at lowering blood sugars and promoting weight loss.
The most common side effects of semaglutide are mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. These tend to be worst early in treatment and improve over 4-8 weeks. Other potential side effects include dizziness, stomach pain, headaches, fatigue, and reactions at the injection site. Let your doctor know if any side effects are severe or don't go away.
Yes, research shows semaglutide remains safe and effective when taken for 2 years or longer. It does not appear to have an increased risk of pancreatitis like some older diabetes medications. However, semaglutide has not been studied for more than 5 years, so the extremely long-term safety (>10 years) is unknown. Talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide is appropriate for you as a continuous diabetes treatment or if breaks from treatment would ever be advised.
