Semaglutide

What are common side effects of Semaglutide?

Many people using Semaglutide for weight loss do not have serious side effects. Remember that this weight loss medication has been prescribed because your doctor has determined that the benefit is greater than the risk of side effects. Before using Semaglutide, tell your doctor if you have any allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, or constipation are the most common side effects of Semaglutide. Nausea usually lessens as you continue use. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor as soon as possible.

What can I take to decrease nausea?

Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing if you’ll experience side effects of Semaglutide until you try the weight loss medication. To initially reduce side effects, your doctor will start you on a low dose of Semaglutide and gradually increase the dose on an individual basis.

One of the most well-known remedies for nausea is ginger – with many patients using ginger tea as well as fresh ginger root, which should be peeled before use to help combat nausea. If you find that you feel sick on Semaglutide after eating, then you may be eating too much. The best thing to do in this situation is to eat smaller meals and avoid long periods of fasting that can result in rebound hunger. Try to let yourself digest your food before doing anything strenuous, as this can also contribute to nausea.

If you find that no home remedies help with your sickness, your doctor may be able to give you a supporting treatment to relieve nausea.

How much should I inject?

Inject Semaglutide in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm as directed by your doctor, once weekly. It may be used with or without food. The dosage is based on individual factors and response to treatment. Your doctor will start you on a low dose to decrease the risk of side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

The first vial lasts up to 5 weeks. Each vial contains 2.5mg.

• Inject .25mg | Weeks 1, 2 

• Inject .50mg | Weeks 3, 4, 5

• Inject 1.0mg | Weeks 6, 7, 8, 9

• Inject 2.5mg | Continue Weekly

How much weight can I expect to lose?

When you first start taking Semaglutide for weight loss, you might notice that you can’t finish your meals or that you feel bloated or sick. This is because your appetite has reduced, and it is easy to over-eat in the first few weeks of taking Semaglutide until your body adjusts to it. Because of this, we recommend eating from a smaller plate for the first few weeks as you adjust to your new, smaller appetite.

When taking Semaglutide to lose weight, it’s generally recommended that you plan to eat between 1200-1500 calories a day. We recommend gradually reducing your calorie intake rather than cutting it straight away. Drastic changes can often be a shock to the system, whereas gradual changes are easier to adjust to over time and adopt as new habits. 

It’s difficult to quantify exactly how much someone could lose while taking Semaglutide for weight loss, as this depends on a lot of factors such as underlying health conditions, starting weight, any other medications you may be taking, and various other factors. It can be easy to fall into a trap of comparing your own journey with someone else’s. Nobody else lives in your body, and nobody knows it better than you do. If you’re doing what’s right for you and making healthy lifestyle changes, you’re making incredible progress.

On average, patients at Envizion Medical using Semaglutide for weight loss lose at least 5% of their body weight within 12 weeks of treatment. 

Can I take Semaglutide at the same time as other medications?

Semaglutide may affect the absorption of other medications. In some cases, this may affect how well and/or how fast those medications work. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

What is the difference between Wegovy and Ozempic?

Wegovy and Ozempic are simply different brand names for the same weight loss drug, Semaglutide. Wegovy comes in a pre-filled single-dose pen delivering doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.7 or 2.4mg. Ozempic comes with patient-use pens that must be measured and filled by the weight loss patient. With both Ozempic and Wegovy, the dose is increased slowly over time until a suitable maintenance dose is reached, varying individually for each weight loss patient. Ozempic was approved in the US for weight loss in 2017, while Wegovy was recently approved for weight loss in 2021. Envizion Medical carries the brand name Ozempic for your weight loss needs, and we are more than satisfied with the results we have seen from weight loss patients so far.

How often do I need to come into the office? How much does an office consult cost?

A $50 consult is required every three months while taking Semaglutide for weight loss.