NO TWO PEOPLE ARE ALIKE, NEITHER ARE THEIR WEIGHT LOSS SOLUTIONS
You medical provider will discuss many options with you and create a plan to help you meet your weight loss goals.
SEMAGLITUDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC)
ORAL BLEND OF MEDICATION
WHAT IS SEMAGLITUDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC)
Approximately 70% of American adults have obesity or overweight. Having obesity or overweight is a serious health issue associated with some leading causes of death, including heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
This subcutaneous injection is the first approved drug for chronic weight management in adults with general obesity or overweight since 2014.
The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater who have at least one weight-related ailment or in patients with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SEMAGLUTIDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC)
Losing 5% to 10% of body weight through diet and exercise has been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in adult patients with obesity or overweight.
Benefits may include:
- Reduces food intake by lowering appetite.
- Slows food digestion in the stomach.
- Decrease body fat percentage.
- Weight loss.
- Decreased cardiovascular outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Lower HbA1c levels.
- Enhance the growth of β cells in the pancreas.
HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC) WORK
Semaglutide (Wegovy / Ozempic) s in a class of medications called incretin mimetics.
Itworks by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake. In other words it helps the pancreas to release the right amount of insulin ie move sugar from the blood to the tissues which are used as energy instead of being stored as fat.
WHAT IS THE DOAGE OF SEMAGLUTIDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC) WORK
The medication dose must be increased gradually over 16 to 20 weeks to 2.4 mg once weekly to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Common dosing is as follows:
- Weeks 1-4 inject 0.25 mg once a week
- Weeks 5-8 inject 0.5 mg once a week
- Weeks 9-12 inject 1 mg once a week
- Weeks 13-16 inject 1.7 mg once a week
- Weeks 17+ inject 2.4 mg once a week
IS SEMAGLITUE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC) SAFE TO USE
The largest placebo-controlled trial enrolled adults without diabetes. The average age at the start of the trial was 46 years and 74% of patients were female.
The average body weight was 231 pounds (105 kg) and average BMI was 38 kg/m2. Individuals who received Wegovy lost an average of 12.4% of their initial body weight compared to individuals who received placebo.
Another trial enrolled adults with type 2 diabetes. The average age was 55 years and 51% were female. The average body weight was 220 pounds (100 kg) and average BMI was 36 kg/m2.
In this trial, individuals who received Wegovy lost 6.2% of their initial body weight compared to those who received placebo.
WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF SEMAGLITUDE (WEGOVY / OZEMPIC)
The medication is well tolerated by many and is started at lower doses to prevent any adverse side effects.
Most common side effects are:
- nausea
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- constipation
- abdominal bloating
