Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. It is primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar levels. Semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), which increases insulin secretion, decreases glucagon release, and slows gastric emptying. This helps control blood sugar levels after meals.
In addition to its use in diabetes management, semaglutide has gained attention for its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. It has been approved for weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.
Semaglutide is administered via a once-weekly injection, making it convenient for long-term management. Its ability to support both glucose control and weight loss has made it a valuable option for patients looking to manage type 2 diabetes and associated conditions.
Semaglutide FAQs
We know you have questions, so we compiled the most common questions about semaglutide here. If you have more questions, feel free to give us a call!
How Fast Can I Expect to See Results with Semaglutide?
After starting Ozempic (semaglutide) at your regular maintenance dose, your blood sugar levels should decline within the first week. However, full effects can take eight weeks or more since this is a long-acting medication. Lower doses will be used for the first four weeks to reduce side effects, but this does not lower blood sugar over the long run.
Does Semaglutide get rid of belly fat?
Body composition was improved by semaglutide, which reduced excess body fat, including abdominal fat, and increased the amount of lean body mass, or weight that wasn't body fat. Body composition improved more rapidly when participants lost more body weight.
When Should I Stop Taking Semaglutide?
Typically a 12-week program is a great start for those looking to lose weight with Semaglutide. For Semaglutide to work, several factors need to be taken into account. If, for instance, someone starts taking it and does not see any improvement after 12 weeks, the prescriber may wish to discontinue treatment since it should have started showing results by then.
What are the common side effects of Semaglutide?
The most common side effect of semaglutide is diarrhea, which tends to taper off in week two and disappear completely. The best side effect of semaglutide is weight loss!
Is it better to take Semaglutide the morning or the night?
There is no evidence to suggest morning or night is better for Semaglutide. The important thing is that you take it at the same time each day.
Is Semaglutide Expensive?
Those with obesity are more likely to develop more severe health conditions, which can be costly. Studies indicate that obese people have medical costs over $1,700 higher than those with normal weight. The best way to avoid future healthcare expenses is to deal with obesity now and make necessary lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy weight.
How does Semaglutide Work For Weight Loss?
New hormone-based obesity medications are emerging, and semaglutide is one of them. The brain is stimulated by peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is secreted in the gut and targets receptors throughout the body. When a person eats, GLP-1 signals to the brain that they are full.
In addition to reducing gastric emptying, semaglutide also helps to reduce obesity by acting on the brain. The effects of semaglutide on the brain wane over time.
Despite this, the drug — and its class of medications — is not a new concept; GLP-1 analogs have been used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 15 years (semaglutide was specifically approved for diabetes by the FDA in 2017). When eating, people with type 2 diabetes secrete less GLP-1 than those without the condition do. People with obesity are also believed to receive more GLP-1 with semaglutide, albeit synthetic. That hormone helps them feel full, so they get more of it back.
Who Should Not Use Semaglutide?
Semaglutide should not be taken during pregnancy or if you plan to become pregnant. People with pancreatitis, diabetic ketoacidosis, or diabetes should not use semaglutide. If you take any other medications or have any medical conditions, please tell us before starting semaglutide. You should discuss your medical history in detail with us before taking semaglutide. Semaglutide can interact with other drugs and may not be safe for everyone.
Am I A Good Fit For Semaglutide?
The treatment with semaglutide is not appropriate for everyone. The medication can be prescribed to adults who are obese, with a BMI greater than 30, or overweight, accompanied by a BMI greater than 27 and weight-related medical problems, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
How long do you have to take Semaglutide?
Several factors determine the length of time someone needs to take Semaglutide.
Taking it for 12 weeks and not seeing any improvement is likely to result in the prescriber discontinuing treatment as it should have started showing results by then.
Semaglutide can be continued for as long as needed if someone shows signs of improvement and it seems to be working for them.
It may take longer for you to lose weight if you're taking Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes. When diet and lifestyle changes cannot control blood glucose levels independently, T2DM is typically a lifelong condition requiring long-term medication management.
After you reach your goal weight and maintain it for some time, you may be able to stop taking this treatment if it was prescribed for weight loss.
Achieving your weight loss goals
Rapid weight loss may not be a suitable or maintainable option for your weight loss goals when you have a high BMI.
The consultation fee includes assistance and guidance through every step of your weight loss plan, including medical treatment, diet, exercise, and education.
The most effective way to achieve a healthy weight for your height (BMI 18.5-24.9) is to set smaller goals along the way, such as losing 5% or 10% of your starting weight.
These small goals help to maintain motivation and success in maintaining a healthy weight by keeping things manageable and achievable.
You'll start with the lowest dose if you take this type of treatment for the first time or restart after a short break.
The weekly injection dose is 0.25 mg.
In general, we will increase your dose after a month of taking the lowest dose, depending on whether you are experiencing side effects and if you are making the progress you should be making.
A month later, this will increase to 0.5mg per week if you use weekly injections.
This standard treatment plan may be altered according to your individual needs.
After a month on the higher dose, you will be evaluated to determine whether to increase your dosage again.
If you're using weekly injections, you will use 1mg.
When starting this type of medication, titrating is recommended to reduce your risk of experiencing severe side effects.
Additionally, gradual weight loss is ensured instead of rapid weight loss.
You should find that the side effects of Semaglutide will begin to fade once your body has adjusted to the medication via titration.
As you learn to listen to your body when full, you will learn the new limits of your appetite.
Getting used to gradually reducing your portion size is another reason we recommend titration, as it prevents side effects from worsening.
When you choose Dr Drip IV, our specialists will monitor your progress and provide helpful advice and articles to help you manage your weight.
To become a healthier version of yourself, we want to help you achieve your weight loss goals at Dr Drip IV.
Titrating Down to Maintenance
Inste of continuing to decrease the dose of your weight loss treatment, you may wish to discuss reducing it with your prescriber.
You will discuss this with our weight loss specialists during one of your regular consultations if you are a patient of
In this case, you will receive further support and advice on maintaining your weight.
If side effects are minimal or tolerable, a GLP-1 Receptor Agonist can be used to manage weight effectively, provided that side effects are minimal or tolerable.
Keeping a healthy weight for life is a joint effort between you and us, and we are always willing to assist you.
Is Semaglutide Safe For Long-Term?
A long-term course of Semaglutide is necessary for some people. Since Semaglutide injections were released in the USA in 2019, some adults with type 2 diabetes have been taking it.
Despite this, there isn’t much information available on the long-term safety of the drug since it’s relatively new.
Semaglutide has been studied for relatively long-term safety in patients with T2DM. One study published in December 2020 concluded that it could manage and maintain blood glucose levels when taken on a long-term basis.
As long as you aren't experiencing any adverse effects, you should be able to stay on Semaglutide for as long as you need to, as long as you are losing weight.
Our weight loss specialists will be happy to provide further advice based on your medical history if you have any concerns about any aspect of your treatment.
Is Semaglutide Injections painful?
Most patients report that the semaglutide injection is painless. If you’re finding it is painful, or that the injection site becomes red, warm to touch, or is oozing at the site, these are signs of infection and you should let us know right away.
Is Semaglutide oral medication as effective as the injections?
When used with basal insulin, oral semaglutide is as effective or better than the injectable version in treating type 2 diabetes (T2) while providing similar tolerability, according to a recent study.
Researchers performed a literature review of 7 randomized clinical trials to compare efficacy and safety outcomes of 14 mg once daily of oral semaglutide (sold under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus), against doses of the injectable version as well as 4 other injectable versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) after approximately 26 weeks.
The review, published in Diabetes Therapy, found oral semaglutide was associated with significantly greater reductions in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) than all other types of GLP1-RAs (treatment differences, 0.42 to –1.32%); the differences with its own injectable version (0.5 mg and 1 mg) were not statistically significant.
Do you take insurance for Semaglutide?
Most insurance plans do not cover semaglutide, so we do not accept insurance.
We offer a free consultation
to see if semaglutide is a good fit for you.
How Much Does Semaglutide Cost?
Monthly membership dosing special price for injections or oral meds is $475 first month only the $100 added each month as dosage increases, retail value $500/month, a 12 month supply recommended.
Additional meds and supplements pack to enhance the effectiveness $125 per month.
Tapering down to a maintenance dose is then recommended. A one-time initial consultation fee is also required for $125. Also includes recommended 30 day meal plan guide to enhance the effectiveness or 1:1 coaching plans available. May pay monthly or get 1 month FREE supply with 12 month payment of $3025, financing available.
Book Your Appointment Today To Join Our New GoFit23 Weightloss Program and Get Mounjaro, Ozempic, Wegovy, Semaglutide Injections or Tablets Along With A FREE Weightloss Plan, Journal and everything else you need to lose weight effectively!
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