Introduction
It’s the age of body positivity and making healthier choices. Unfortunately, some may suffer from conditions such as type 2 diabetes or obesity that interfere with their quality of life. Thankfully, there are weight loss drugs out there that help in this space. You may have already heard of Ozempic and Wegovy, which share the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
Considering using semaglutide for weight loss? Here are things to know and consider.
What is semaglutide?
Essential to using semaglutide for weight loss is familiarizing ourselves with what the drug is and how it works.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in brands such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Although only Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight management, many prescribe Ozempic or its fellow anti-diabetic drug, Rybelsus, for weight loss.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist or GLP-1 Ra for short. Whenever we finish eating and blood sugar levels are elevated, the hormone GLP-1 prompts insulin release to bring these down.
GLP-1 Ras like semaglutide mimics GLP-1 and its additional effect of slower gastric emptying or slow digestion. This process helps a person feel fuller for a longer period. Because of this effect, it suppresses patients’ appetites and they eat less, losing weight in the process.
Efficacy and safety
Studies have provided evidence on how semaglutide effectively lowers blood sugar levels and promotes weight loss. Moreover, research has also found that the drug potentially has a positive impact on other health conditions like cardiovascular problems.
Side effects
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 for 1 to 10% of cases include indigestion, belching, gassiness, gastroenteritis, or gastritis. Gastroenteritis is the short-term infection and inflammation of the digestive system, while gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining.
Note that these common side effects are mild and you can manage these with the help of your healthcare provider. Semaglutide’s more serious adverse effects, meanwhile, are rare.
Using semaglutide for weight loss
To experience semaglutide’s benefits such as weight loss, proper dosage, administration, and storage are key.
Ozempic and Wegovy come in injectable dosing pens, while Rybelsus comes in tablet form.
Dosages and administration
Ozempic is in an injectable pen format and you should administer it once a week. It comes in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 2 mg doses and is available for purchase with a prescription.
Wegovy, meanwhile, is also injectable, but in five dose strengths, from 0.25 mg to 2.4 mg. The different doses come in different colored pens.
Similar to Ozempic, your doctor will start you on small doses, gradually increasing this until you reach a maintenance dose. Wegovy is also a once-weekly injection.
Rybelsus is typically taken at 3mg once per day during the first 30 days of use. After this initial month, your doctor will increase your dose to 7 mg per day. This dose is typically what it takes for your body to regulate its blood sugar levels. After another 30 days on 7 mg, the dosage might be increased to 14 mg per day.
You must Ozempic and Wegovy once weekly, on the same day at any time with or without meals. Meanwhile, you should take Rybelsus once daily on an empty stomach the first time you wake up.
Take care not to inject subcutaneous semaglutide into a muscle or vein. In the case of Rybelsus, on the other hand, you should take it the same way every time.
Storage
According to Ozempic’s medication guide, you must store it between 36ºF to 46ºF (2ºC to 8ºC) prior to first use. Do not place it in a freezer and do not use it if it has been frozen.
After first using Ozempic, store it for 56 days at controlled room temperature, away from excessive heat and sunlight. Keep the pen’s cap on when not in use. Always remove and discard the needle after each shot, then store the Ozempic pen without a needle. Always use a new needle for every injection.
Similarly, you can store Wegovy between 46 °F and 86 °F (8 °C and 30 °C) up to 28 days. Do not freeze Wegovy.
To maintain Rybelsus’ efficacy, don’t transfer them to pill organizers and keep it in its original bottle with the blue cap. Shut the blue cap tight each time.
On missed doses
If you miss a dose of Ozempic, just take the missed dose immediately within five days. If it’s been over five days, skip the missed dose and take the next dose according to the regular schedule.
Should you miss a dose of Wegovy and the next dose is over two days away, take the missed dose. If the next dose is less than two days away, skip the missed dose and take Wegovy as scheduled. If you miss a dose for over two weeks, use it on the next scheduled day of the dose. You may also want to consult your doctor about restarting the treatment.
For missed doses of Rybelsus, just take the next dose the following day.
Getting the best results on semaglutide
Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus also act as a supplement to a nutritious diet and ample physical activity. Without proper food choices or a sedentary lifestyle, it is not realistic to expect optimum results from semaglutide.
You might want to get a nutritionist/dietitian-developed meal plan suitable for your individual goals. Apart from food selection, they will also recommend the best portions for your specific nutritional goals.
Here are some recommended foods that in general are good for those on semaglutide:
Lean proteins
Opt for lean protein sources such as beans, chicken, eggs, fish, low-fat turkey, soy, and turkey. Consider the quality of proteins as there are good proteins and there are bad proteins.
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, dietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins. A diet high in fruits and vegetables may also help lower blood pressure, prevent certain cancers, and manage diabetes.
Healthy fats
Healthy fats aid in absorbing Vitamins A, D, E, and K; serve as energy reserves; and help you feel full. They also aid in hormone production and improve skin, hair, and nail health. Additionally, some fats such as omega-3 help reduce inflammation as well as bad cholesterol or LDL, while increasing good cholesterol.
Incorporate one to two servings every day of healthy fats like chia seeds, dark chocolate, avocadoes, nuts, and yogurt.
Whole grains
Complex carbohydrates made from whole grains like brown rice, corn, hulled barley, millet, and sweet potato are great sources of dietary fiber. Other great sources are whole-wheat pasta, whole-wheat tortillas, and whole rye.
Because they take longer to digest, they make you feel fuller for longer, helping curb appetite and reducing unnecessary meals. They’re also great if you have type 2 diabetes as they help control your blood sugar. Aim for a half-cup service of whole grains per meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not everyone will react to their first-time use of semaglutide in the same way. While these are general observations in users, they will vary from person to person. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much weight can you lose on semaglutide?
In clinical trials, researchers found that those taking semaglutide could lose 15 to 18 percent of their body weight.
What’s the duration before you can see an effect?
Research has found that on average, it takes a person around four weeks on semaglutide to see some weight loss. However, the full effect can take some more time.
In one study, participants lost as much as 35 pounds or 15.9 kilograms over 68 weeks. Despite these studies, consider that results will vary as the drugs’ effect can be affected by different factors.
How can you manage the side effects?
The most common initial side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal in nature. While its incidence may seem inevitable for first-time semaglutide users, it can definitely be managed.
In a 2022 study, researchers gathered the advice of endocrinologists, nephrologists, primary care physicians, cardiologists, internists, and diabetes nurses. These experts shared tips to help patients manage the common side effects of semaglutide.
To manage nausea:
- Eat crackers, apples, mint, and ginger-based drinks 30 minutes after taking or injecting GLP-1 Ra.
- Avoid strong smells.
For vomiting:
- Drink a lot of liquids.
- Have more frequent meals, in smaller amounts.
Dealing with diarrhea:
- Drink lots of liquids (water, lemon water, club soda or sparking mineral water)
- Steer clear of sports drinks.
- Avoid high-fiber content foods (You will gradually restore these upon improvement). Yes to chicken broth, rice, carrots, ripe peeled fruit, baked fruit. No to dairy products, laxatives, coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, very cold/hot foods, products with “ol” ending sweeteners
For constipation:
- Ensure enough fiber in your diet.
- Increase physical activity.
- Have a healthy, balanced diet
- Drink a lot of liquids (water, sugar-free drinks)
If you experience other persistent or severe gastrointestinal adverse effects, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
How long can you be on semaglutide?
It may be too early to tell how long you can keep taking semaglutide as data is still limited. Still, some experts think it is best to keep it as a long-term medication if a patient is responsive to it.
Currently, there are no restrictions as to the duration of treatment with semaglutide such as Ozempic.
“These medications are intended to be prescribed chronically to assist with weight loss and weight-loss maintenance, which is often a difficult area,” points out Jena Shaw Tronieri, PhD, assistant professor of psychology in psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a researcher on weight loss treatment outcomes for patients with obesity.
One study, however, looked at semaglutide’s effects in overweight or obese patients in a 68-week period. The researchers found that participants lost as much as 15.2% of their body weight.
Conclusion
Semaglutide is helping people take charge of their health, especially those with type 2 diabetes or obesity.
You should take the proper steps to make it work for you. If you are eligible to use semaglutide, let your healthcare provider create the best treatment plan for you.
Following instructions with diet and exercise are key to get the best results. Be realistic with your expectations. Not everyone will have the same effect while on semaglutide. Be prepared as well for the risk of side effects, which are often mild and manageable.
Semaglutide use is not for forever unless you use it to treat a chronic disease or condition. Hopefully, you learn how to make better food and lifestyle choices while on the drug. Should you discontinue it, you can continue to keep the weight off using sustainable means.
Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik
