If you have tried dieting, exercise, and supplements to lose weight and haven’t had the success you hoped for, it’s possible that there is a medical reason you’re having trouble reaching your goal weight.

What is Semaglutide? 

Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication called a GLP-1 agonist. Basically, it is a hormone that affects the body’s regulation of blood sugar, which has the side effect of reducing appetite, making you feel full longer, and helping you burn fat faster. 

Who is a Good Candidate for Weight Loss with Semaglutide? 

You might be a good candidate for semaglutide for weight loss if you are over 18 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, are nearing your goal weight or have already started losing weight through diet and exercise, can commit to maintaining a healthy diet and exercise plan, don’t have any serious medical conditions, and if you can safely handle injecting yourself with the medication.

The Safety & Effectiveness of Semaglutide

Semaglutide is FDA-approved for weight loss, and only has mild side effects. Most patients lost 15 to 20% of their body weight over a period of 68 weeks. The majority of patients who use semaglutide for weight loss can successfully lose at least 5% of their total body weight within the first 12 weeks of injections outside of the titration period.

Side Effects and Longevity of Semaglutide

Some people experience mild side effects while taking semaglutide, but these side effects typically resolve over time. Some people have reported nausea, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and constipation. Semaglutide can be a sustainable weight loss method when combined with a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle. If you stop taking semaglutide without any other weight loss maintenance plan in place, you may start gaining back the weight you lost.