Weight Loss

• How is Semaglutide Dosed?

  Semaglutide is available as a single-use injection pen. This means that your dose is already pre-set for you and that you’ll discard the pen after your dose.

  You’ll give yourself the injection once a week, on the same day each week. It can be given at any time of day, and you can take it with or without food.

  Semaglutide is typically injected just under the skin (subcutaneously) in your abdomen, upper arm, or
  thigh. Avoid injecting the medication into the same spot every time — change your injection site with each
  dose. But injecting in the same body area (e.g., thigh) is OK as long as you’re rotating sites within the
  area each time.

  Since Semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, you may experience side effects
  like nausea and vomiting. Once you get started on the medication, your healthcare provider will slowly
  increase your dosage every 4 weeks. This can help make these effects more manageable.

  The target dose is 2.4 mg once weekly. Before reaching the target dose, a typical dosing schedule may look like:

  • Month 1: 0.25 mg once weekly for the first month
  • Month 2: 0.5 mg once weekly for the second month
  • Month 3: 1 mg once weekly for the third month
  • Month 4: 1.7 mg once weekly for the fourth month
  • Target maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly

  Some people may not be able to reach or tolerate the target dose due to side effects. If this is the case,
  your healthcare provider may wait another month before increasing your dose. However, they may have
  you stop the medication if you’re unable to reach or stay on the target dose.

• Are There Serious Side Effects to Semaglutide?

  In some cases, Semaglutide may cause more serious side effects. The medication has a boxed warning — the FDA’s most serious warning — for a potential risk for thyroid C-cell tumors. This risk has been seen in animal studies, but it hasn’t been confirmed in people. Because of this, you shouldn’t take Semaglutide if you have a personal or family history of certain thyroid tumors.

  Other serious side effects can include:

  • Pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas)
  • Cholelithiasis (gallbladder disease)
  • Kidney damage
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Allergic reactions (including swelling of the face, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing)
  • Certain eye problems in people with Type 2 diabetes
  • Fast heart rate

   

  Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are another risk listed on the medication’s labeling because it’s been
  reported with other weight loss medications. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you’re
  experiencing any changes in mood or behavior, or if you’re having suicidal thoughts.

• What Do We Know About Semaglutide Side Effects?

  Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects tend to happen most frequently when taking this medication. The most common are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. You may experience these effects more strongly when your healthcare provider increases your dose.

  Additional common side effects can include:

  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Indigestion
  • Dizziness
  • Bloating
  • Burping

• Can I Take Other Medications While Using Semaglutide?

  Since Semaglutide can lower your blood sugar, it can interact with other blood sugar-loweringmedications. Examples include insulin and medications that cause insulin to be released, like sulfonylureas. Combining these medications can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels.

  If you’re taking one of these medications, your healthcare provider may lower the other medication’s dose while starting you on Semaglutide. And as a general rule, it’s important to diligently monitor your blood sugar if you have Type 2 diabetes. This is especially the case before and during treatment to ensure that your readings stay within a safe range.

  Another potential interaction is with oral medications. Semaglutide slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach. This may affect how certain oral medications are absorbed by your body when they’re taken together. Your healthcare provider can determine which interactions potentially affect you and how to manage them.

• What Else Should I Do to Help With My Weight Loss Journey While Using Semaglutide?

  • Exercise! Incorporate a balanced exercise routine, including cardio and weight lifting, to support the maintenance of lean muscle mass.
  • Consult with our nutritionist, Kelli Gray, who provides comprehensive dietary and nutritional guidance, including the option of a hair analysis. Kelli offers personalized consultations, starting at just $35, available on a weekly or monthly basis.
  • Look at the broader picture of your health journey. For some patients, their journey to feeling healthy and their best goes beyond weight loss to underlying causes such as hormone imbalance. Consider a consultation with our hormone providers.