What is GLP-1?
Your body naturally produces a number of hormones that affect your appetite. GLP-1 is a hormone that is produced when you eat. GLP-1 stops you from feeling hungry and makes you feel full. It also improves your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels.
- Semaglutide reduces feelings of hunger which means you eat less food. It helps to reduce your body weight, when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
- Semaglutide has been shown to stop the progression of plaques in blood vessels in studies of animals.
- Semaglutide helps to lower blood sugar levels.
SEMAGLUTIDE COMPOUND
Approved in 2021 by the FDA for chronic
weight management in obese/overweight
adults, this injection has been described as
a “game-changer.”
“We have not seen this degree of weight
loss with any previous medication,” said Dr.
Timothy Garvey of the University of Alabama
at Birmingham. According to data from
trial results, more than 50 percent of trial
participants lost 15 percent of their body
weight, and anywhere between a third and
40 percent of participants lost 20 percent of
their body weight.
The public realizing that obesity is a disease
is an important fact when it comes to
attitudes regarding obesity and weight loss.
According to Dr. Garvey, “Many people
among the lay public and many health care
professionals as well think about obesity
primarily as a lifestyle choice, even today,
despite our scientific understanding of
obesity as a disease. That’s why I think these
trials are important.”
Impact of Semaglutide
Part of a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, Semaglutide increases insulin secretion, which is good for diabetics. But in higher doses, it acts on centers in the brain and suppresses appetite. Used in conjunction with diet and exercise, Semaglutide helps patients stick to a reduced-calorie diet, enhancing the weight loss process.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
▪ It may be used for weight management in overweight or obese patients.
▪ It may be used for blood sugar management in overweight or obese patients.
▪ It may help regulate appetite and food reward signaling in the brain.
▪ It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
This medication should be given by subcutaneous injection. A subcutaneous injection (SQ) delivers medicine into the fatty layer between skin and muscle, used to give a small quantity of certain kinds of medications.
Rotating your injection site is recommended. Commonly used injection sites include: the outer area of the upper arm, the abdomen (avoiding a 2 inch circle around the navel), or the front of the thigh.
Wash hands and sanitize the injection site with alcohol prior to administration. Do not use the solution if it becomes cloudy, has particles, or changes color. Dispose of used needles in a Sharps container. Do not use past the beyond use date indicated on the prescription label.
Keep medication refrigerated and discard 28 days after initial puncture.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
▪ Signs of an allergic reaction: hives blistering, swelling of the mouth, face, lips tongue throat, trouble breathing.
▪ Signs of injection site reaction: redness or itching around the administration site.
▪ Blood levels monitored for B12 and CBC are advised before treatment and ongoing as your prescriber deems necessary.
▪ Regular check-ups with your provider are recommended.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
The most common side effects may include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, dizziness, bloating, gas, and heartburn. More serious side effects may include:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Gallbladder problems
- Kidney problems/failure
- Serious allergic reactions
- Increased heart rate
- Depression
Contact your doctor immediately or seek medical attention if you experience:
▪ Neck mass
▪ Trouble breathing or swallowing
▪ Vocal hoarseness that will not go away
▪ Kidney problems or urinary complications
▪ Gallbladder problems
▪ Rapid heartbeat
▪ Eyesight changes
▪ Severe dizziness
▪ Signs of low blood sugar
▪ Pancreas problems
▪ Worsening behavioral or mood changes like depression or thoughts of self-harm
You may experience side effects not listed. Contact your doctor with questions.
An allergic reaction to this medication is unlikely but seek medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, and/or trouble breathing.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
▪ Allergy to semaglutide
▪ History of medullary thyroid cancer or other thyroid C-cell cancer
▪ History of pancreatitis
▪ History of tachyarrhythmias
▪ Pregnant or breastfeeding
