Semaglutide is an innovative medication that can help individuals struggling with obesity and type 2 diabetes. As a specialist hormone clinic providing semaglutide injections, Invigorate Medical is uniquely qualified to explain the benefits of this cutting-edge therapy.
Semaglutide (brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus) is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and to promote weight loss in obese or overweight adults.
It belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1. These drugs stimulate the release of insulin when blood sugar is high and suppress appetite, leading to weight loss.
In clinical trials, semaglutide has been shown to induce weight loss of around 15% in obese patients over 68 weeks. This amount of weight loss can lead to dramatic health improvements like lower blood pressure, better cholesterol levels, improved mobility, and reduced risk for diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
In type 2 diabetics, semaglutide lowers HbA1c (a measure of long-term blood sugar management) by 1-2% on average. This leads to much tighter blood glucose control and can reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
A large 3-year study found that semaglutide cut the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes by an impressive 26% compared to placebo.
Despite being an injected medication, semaglutide is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are mild gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which tend to improve over time.
Semaglutide can be prescribed alone or alongside other glucose-lowering medications to improve HbA1c for adults with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and inadequate blood sugar control on current therapy.
Semaglutide is indicated for chronic weight management in adults with:
Schedule a visit with a healthcare provider experienced in prescribing injectable weight loss or diabetes medications.
Insurance approval is typically required for semaglutide treatment.
Semaglutide comes in a prefilled injection pen for weekly self-administration at home. The dose is ramped up slowly over 5-8 weeks.
Follow-up appointments every 3 months allow providers to monitor progress, medication tolerance, and make necessary adjustments.
First 1-6 weeks - Self-injected once per week - Nausea in ~40%, peaks at ~2 weeks - Other GI side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, constipation - Reduced appetite noticeable for some patients
2-16 weeks - Weight loss accelerates − avg 2-3 lbs per week - HbA1c dropping in diabetics - GI side effects improve for most - Small blood sugar drops possible
16 - 68 weeks - Steady ongoing weekly weight loss, avg 1-2 lbs per week - Most achieve 10-15% weight loss - Diabetes control continues to improve - Need for other diabetes meds reduces - Sense of improved wellbeing and vitality - Small number of patients hit weight loss plateau
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional weight loss: 10-15% total body weight | Temporary GI side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Improves heart health: ↓26% CV event risk | Injected medication - needles |
| Treats root of obesity: alters hormones regulating appetite/weight | Requires prior authorization & check-ins with doctor |
| Also lowers blood sugar: HbA1c drops 1-2% | Potential small blood sugar drops |
| Well-tolerated by most patients | Unknown long-term use risks (>5 years) |
Invigorate Medical offers cutting-edge nonsurgical solutions for sustained weight loss, including semaglutide injection therapy. Their expertise includes:
With obesity and diabetes rates continuing to climb, having access to innovative solutions like semaglutide injections is critical. The health improvements attainable are not just numbers on a scale but meaningful gains in energy, quality of life, and longevity. Invigorate Medical aims to help individuals awaken the healthy, happy version of themselves and achieve what they never imagined possible.
