Semaglutide is a FDA approved injectable glucagon like- peptide 1 (GLP-1) that’s administered once weekly for obesity.
How does it work for weight loss?
GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a role in your appetite and digestion. Incretins, hormones released by your small intestine, are sent out by your body after you’ve eaten a meal to help lower your blood sugar by triggering insulin and blocking other sources of sugar. It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, known as gastric emptying. The results of these actions causes you to feel full, lowering your appetite and causing you to lose weight. Medications like GLP-1 agonists are referred to as incretin mimetics since they mimic these effects.
Semaglutide can be given at any time of day, and you can take it with or without food. It is administered via injection just under the skin (subcutaneously) into your abdomen performed at the office by your provider. Before your initial visit, you will be sent for inital bloodwork to obtain baseline values. At each visit, your provider will weigh you and obtain vital signs, keeping track of how well your body is reacting to the medication. Since its effects work to slow down your digestive tract, i.e. the speed at which the food you eat is leaving your stomach, side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or slow gastric emptying or transit can occur, moderately or severely. Be sure to discuss these occurrences with your provider.
The overall goal is to lose 1-2 pounds a week, while limiting unfavorable side effects, and more importantly, feeling the benefits of the medication-less appetite, cravings, and portion sizes. Semaglutide will start with the lowest dose and adjustments are made every 2 weeks in order to achieve this goal.
What are the potential side effects?
The side effects frequently seen involve the gastrointestinal system, the most common includes nausea, constipation, and vomiting. These are also common after the dosage is increased. Other side effects can include bloating, indigestion, and stomach pain.
IMPORTANT NOTE: if you experience severe nausea/vomiting or abdominal pain, contact your provider as soon as possible. Your provider will stop the medication if these serious side effects do occur.
How to help with the nausea:
Eating small, frequent meals is a great way to help reduce the nausea patients experience. Additionally, having a bland diet, such as consuming rice, toast and bananas as well as a low fat meal can help. Supplements can also help curve the nausea, these include ginger, unisom, and vitamin B6. Finally, avoid alcohol or lower the amount consumed. Sometimes, you may be prescribed anti nausea medication to be used as needed. Which is only used for severe nausea as it can cause constipation.
How to help with the constipation:
Staying hydrated and eating a high fiber diet are key factors to lessen the effects of constipation. Continue exercising as this will also help avoid constipation. If needed, there are over the counter stool softeners such as miralax, dulcolax, colace and senna that can relieve constipation.
