What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication that acts like the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). You take it as a weekly injection under your skin.

GLP-1 increases your body’s production of insulin, which slows digestion.

When the stomach takes more time to empty itself of food, it sends signals of “fullness” to the brain. The end result of this process is a powerful appetite suppression effect based on the patient’s own natural insulin production.

Slow digestion also helps stabilize your blood sugar levels, giving you more energy throughout the day. As a result, you feel more energized, less fatigued and moody, and cravings are reduced.

Semaglutide is not a stimulant and doesn’t have the same side effects, such as agitation or a potentially higher risk of cardiovascular events.

Who Should Take Semaglutide ?

Semaglutide can be prescribed to obese adults (with a BMI of at least 30) or overweight adults with a BMI of at least 27 and one or more weight-related health issues, not including diabetes.

You can choose semaglutide if diet and exercise alone aren’t working or if you are at risk of cardiovascular events (e.g., heart attacks or stroke).

How Well Does Semaglutide Work?

Clinical studies show that semaglutide is far more effective than diet and exercise alone in people experiencing difficulty losing weight.

In one clinical trial of 957 obese volunteers, injecting a 0.4mg dose of semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 13.8% over one year. Semaglutide was used together with diet and exercise, but these measures alone resulted in an average of 2.3% weight loss.

Another study found an average weight loss of 15% in the volunteers taking semaglutide. Almost 70% lost at least 10% of their body weight. If you weigh 300 pounds, 15% of your body weight is 45 pounds.

These effect sizes can prevent the need to turn to drastic weight loss surgery or stimulants with unpleasant or even dangerous side effects.