Introduction
Life will never be the same for people who benefit from the use of semaglutide. It not only helps regulate blood sugar levels but also promotes weight loss.
You’ve probably heard of the semaglutide brand Ozempic, which has helped those suffering from type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. It’s so popular that celebrities have credited it for their slimmer figures.
If you’re considering taking the medication, you might be thinking to yourself, ‘How often should I take semaglutide?’ Just like any drug, it comes with its own recommended dosages, administration, and storage.
Below, we explain the prescribed schedule and its significance.
What is semaglutide?
Ozempic’s not the only semaglutide brand in the market. It has two sister brands: weight loss drug Wegovy and its fellow anti-diabetic drug, Rybelsus.
Although only Wegovy has FDA approval as a weight loss drug, many choose to prescribe Ozempic off-label for weight loss. As Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus all share the same active ingredient, semaglutide, essentially, they function in the same way.
How semaglutide works
Before we dive into how often to take semaglutide, let’s understand how it impacts blood sugar and weight loss.
In our gut is the hormone GLP-1 which prompts insulin release when blood sugar levels are high after we eat. Now, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, or a GLP-1 Ra for short. It can perform the same function as that of GLP-1 in controlling blood glucose.
At the same time, semaglutide also slows down digestion of food, causing you to feel fuller for longer. As such, you end up with a weak appetite, less cravings, and reduced food intake, resulting in weight loss.
Subcutaneous and oral semaglutide
Knowing the differences between the three brands will guide you when administering semaglutide.
Apart from their different FDA-approved uses, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus also vary in format.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are subcutaneous semaglutide, as you are meant to inject them under the skin (subcutaneously).
Rybelsus, on the other hand, is oral semaglutide, as it comes in tablet form and you must take it orally.
Safety and efficacy of semaglutide
In the STEP 5 trial, researchers looked at semaglutide’s two-year effects in overweight/obese adults. Participants lost 15 percent body weight with semaglutide while the placebo group lost 2.6 percent of their body weight.
Researchers also associated semaglutide with greater reductions in waistline circumference and systolic blood pressure. Participants on semaglutide experienced improved diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar levels, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Another study found that participants on semaglutide lost more body fat than body mass. In addition, they ate less due to a weaker appetite and had fewer cravings, especially for fatty foods.
Studies have provided evidence on how semaglutide effectively lowers blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss. Moreover, research has also found that it potentially has a positive impact on other health conditions such as cardiovascular problems.
Side effects
What side effects can you expect when you take semaglutide? The most common ones are generally mild and manageable, while the serious ones are rare. Here’s an overview:
Gastrointestinal reactions account for 10% or more of semaglutide’s side effects. These include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
Also common side effects of semaglutide which occur in 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, and gastritis. Gastroenteritis is the short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining).
Note that these side effects are mild and can be managed with the help of your healthcare provider. Semaglutide’s more serious adverse effects, meanwhile, are rare.
Frequency of use
How often you should take semaglutide will depend on what brand you’re using. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus all have semaglutide in their formulation. However, each of them has different prescribed dosages, ways of administration, and recommended storage.
Dosages of semaglutide
Your healthcare provider will typically start you on low doses, gradually transitioning these to higher maintenance doses.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy are once-weekly injectable medicines. Ozempic comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses. Meanwhile, Wegovy comes in five various dose strengths, from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The different doses come in different colored pens.
According to Rybelsus’ medication guide, patients start with 3 mg once daily for the first 30 days. Note that during this period, it won’t be effective for glycemic control yet.
After finishing all 3 mg tablets, they can expect to be prescribed Rybelsus’ 7 mg tablets. This dosage—also to be administered once daily—already offers a reduction in glycemic levels.
Should you need to lower blood sugar levels further, your doctor may increase your dosage to 14 mg once daily.
Administration
Ozempic and Wegovy are both administered subcutaneously, meaning injected under the skin, whereas Rybelsus is taken orally.
When injecting semaglutide, you must avoid administering the medicine into a muscle or vein. This could result in allergic reactions, erratic blood sugar levels, infection, or even organ damage.
On missed doses
If you miss a dose of Ozempic, don’t worry. Just take the missed dose immediately within five days after the day of the missed dose. If it has been over five days already, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose.
Meanwhile, if you miss a Wegovy dose and the next dose is over two days away, take the missed dose ASAP. If the next dose is less than two days away, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose. On the other hand, if you miss a dose for over two weeks, use it on the next scheduled day. You may also want to consult your doctor about restarting the treatment.
For Rybelsus, just take the next dose the following day.
Adhere to the prescribed dosing schedule as this ensures that a consistent level of medication is in your bloodstream. Any lapses may result in erratic blood sugar levels, which can trigger nausea, vomiting, dizziness, blurred vision, or even seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip a week of semaglutide?
You may be planning a holiday and want to indulge in your favorite foods by skipping a week of semaglutide.
Whenever you pause taking semaglutide, you’re more likely to experience the same initial side effects when you restart taking it. You must follow the correct dosing schedule as this allows the drug to work as optimally as possible.
Skipping a week of semaglutide could bring back old eating habits, which can affect blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. This could be in the form of food cravings, large appetites, and a desire for unhealthy food.
This is especially concerning if the patient has diabetes. Restarting semaglutide use could also merit going back to a starting dose as the body will need to adjust again.
Remember that semaglutide is intended for people dealing with type 2 diabetes or obesity. Let your healthcare provider know if you wish to make adjustments to your administration of semaglutide.
How long can you stay off Ozempic and maintain your weight?
Whenever you stop taking semaglutide, you also prompt its effects to subside.
Because semaglutide’s half-life is around a week, expect to start feeling hungrier seven or eight days after your last dose. The half-life is how long it takes for a drug to be reduced to half of its starting dose. This is also why subcutaneous semaglutide is taken once daily. It’s likely that you will also regain some of your lost weight.
The drug can stay in your system for 3-4 weeks after stopping, but it won’t be powerful to curb appetite. How long a drug remains in your system is affected by factors like age, metabolism, and the dosage.
You may be able to stick to your dosing schedule if you’ve missed one weekly injection. However, if you’ve skipped three to four weeks’ worth of semaglutide, you’ll need to restart your treatment plan. You could experience worse nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea depending on how severe the side effects were in the beginning.
Conclusion
Semaglutide has been life-changing for many people, especially those suffering from type 2 diabetes or obesity. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it’s able to help regulate blood sugar levels while also promoting weight loss.
Proper dosage, administration, and storage are key to ensuring semaglutide’s efficacy. Which is why it’s important to know just how often to take it.
Subcutaneous semaglutide must be injected under the skin once weekly with or without meals. Meanwhile, oral semaglutide must be taken once daily on an empty stomach the first time you wake up.
Some concerns include what happens when discontinuing semaglutide, when they overdose, or take a break from the drug. Pausing from semaglutide may not only worsen early use symptoms but may also cause patients to gain weight.
It may be tempting to temporarily stop taking semaglutide to re-experience the joys of consuming food and alcohol. But the risk of side effects is likely to overcome this.
Accidentally overdosing on semaglutide is not impossible, given the spike in cases in 2023. These include people who had made a mistake in dosages, especially among first-time users. Although unlikely to be fatal, patients must reach out to their doctor if they suspect that they have overdosed.
Make sure to discuss any plans to discontinue use or take a break from semaglutide with your healthcare provider.
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