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Writer's pictureMia Guzman

Medication: Semaglutide

Updated: Sep 30


Medication Name: semaglutide


Dosing: Injected under skin with small needle in abdomen

Week 1-4: 0.25mg once weekly

Week 5-8: 0.5mg once weekly

Week 9-12: :1.0mg once weekly

Week 13-16: 1.7mg once weekly

Week 17+: 2.4mg once weekly

Titrate up or down for effect, best results with 2.4mg once weekly if tolerated


What it treats: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, excessive weight


How it Works: Semaglutide is known as a GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1, receptor agonist. It acts like a chemical that is normally released from the gut in response to eating. It promotes insulin release in the body which reduces blood sugar levels in diabetics. It also delays gastric emptying which causes people to feel full after eating less and for a longer period of time. This promotes weight loss seen with GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide.


Side Effects: (not exhaustive list) nausea, belching, gassiness, abdominal fullness, abdominal discomfort, bloating


Other Facts: The main side effect of nausea is primarily what drives the weight loss in semaglutide. When the stomach slows its rate of emptying, food and air that go into the stomach become trapped. If someone habitually continues to eat despite feeling full, they are likely to feel very nauseous. This is why it's important to be mindful of your feelings of fullness while in semaglutide. If side effects become to great, you could consider a lower dose or augment the semaglutide with small incremental doses of anti-nausea medication metoclopramide (Reglan) which can partially reverse the delayed gastric emptying.


Warnings: Not to be used for anyone with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer, medullary cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2), pancreatitis, or thyroid disease such as nodules or tumors. Do not use semaglutide if pregnant or actively trying to become pregnant.


Talk to our medical team to find out if semaglutide may be right for you. Start your free trial today!


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