WHAT IS SEMAGLUTIDE?
Semaglutide is classified as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, commonly referred to as GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the actions of the GLP-1 hormone, which is naturally released in the gut after meals. One of the primary roles of GLP-1 is to stimulate the production of insulin in the body, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. Due to this effect, semaglutide has been utilized by healthcare providers for more than 15 years as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Research found that GLP-1 in higher amounts interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. An extensive series of clinical trials known as the STEP trials compared 2,000 obese adults using semaglutide plus a diet and exercise program with people who made the same lifestyle changes without semaglutide. After 68 weeks, half of the participants using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, and nearly a third lost 20%. Participants who incorporated only lifestyle changes lost about 2.4% of their weight. Notably, no other weight loss medication on the market demonstrated comparable effectiveness. This success led to the FDA's approval of semaglutide for weight loss in June 2022.
HOW DOES SEMAGLUTIDE WORK?
Semaglutide mimics the actions of GLP-1, a gut hormone, by:
- Increasing insulin production
- Decreasing glucagon production
- Slowing down gastric emptying
- Suppressing hunger
By signaling the brain that you are full, it enables weight loss without the sensation of deprivation, making the process more manageable and effective.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS?
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or weakness
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially when used in combination with other diabetes medications
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) - a rare but serious side effect
- Allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, or swelling
WHO IS NOT A CANDIDATE FOR SEMAGLUTIDE?
- < 12 years old. All children 12-17 will need a prescription from their pediatrician.
- Pregnant/breastfeeding/trying to become pregnant
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Hypersensitivity to semaglutide
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- History of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome
- History of pancreatitis
- End stage renal disease (on dialysis)
- BMI < 25
- Type 2 diabetic patients that are on insulin or a sulfonylurea
- Patients with diabetic retinopathy
