Semaglutide Injection : All you need to know for Weight Loss
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Semaglutide injections, 2.4 milligrams weekly, showed a remarkable average weight loss of 14.9% in a 2021 trial. This breakthrough led to FDA approval for weight management, offering hope for those with overweight or obesity.
What is this medication?
SEMAGLUTIDE (SEM a GLOO tide) promotes weight loss. It may also be used to maintain weight loss. It works by decreasing appetite. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
How should I use this medication?
This medicine is given by injecting it under your skin. Someone will teach you how to prepare and give yourself the injection. Follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully. You’ll inject it once a week, which means every 7 days. Keep taking it unless your healthcare team says to stop.
It’s very important to safely dispose of the needles and pens you use. Don’t throw them in the regular trash. Instead, use a special container for sharp objects. If you don’t have one, ask your pharmacist or healthcare team to help you get it.
Every time you get a new prescription or a refill, the pharmacist will give you a special guide called a MedGuide. Make sure to read it carefully. Also, there are detailed instructions on how to use this medicine that come with it. If you’re not sure, ask your pharmacist to explain. If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare team.
If children need to use this medicine, talk to your healthcare team. They might need special care. If you think you took too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or go to the emergency room right away.
What Your Care Team Needs to Know Before You Start This Medicine
Before you begin taking this medicine, it’s important for your healthcare team to know if you have any of these:
- Tumors in your endocrine system (MEN 2), or if someone in your family has had them
- Problems with your eyes or vision
- Issues with your gallbladder
- A history of feeling very sad or struggling with your mental health
- Past problems with your pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Kidney troubles
- Difficulties with your stomach or intestines
- Thoughts of hurting yourself or taking your own life, or if you or a family member have tried this before
- Thyroid cancer, or if it’s in your family history
- Any strange or bad reactions to semaglutide, other medicines, food, colors, or preservatives
- If you’re expecting a baby or trying to become pregnant
- If you’re breastfeeding
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?
Here are some effects that you might notice and should tell your care team about quickly:
- Allergic Reactions:
- Like a rash, itchy skin, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in How You See Things:
- Any differences or problems with your vision.
- Dehydration:
- Feeling very thirsty, mouth dryness, feeling like you might faint, a bad headache, or having dark yellow or brown pee.
- Issues with the Gallbladder:
- Strong stomach pain, feeling sick, throwing up, or having a fever.
- Heartbeat Irregularities:
- Your heart beating too fast, too hard, or in an irregular way.
- Problems with Your Kidneys:
- Peeing less, and swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
- Pancreas Problems (Pancreatitis):
- Really bad stomach pain that spreads to your back, or gets worse after eating or touching, and might come with fever, feeling sick, or throwing up.
- Thoughts of Hurting Yourself:
- Thinking about hurting yourself or ending your own life, feeling sadder, or more down.
- Concerns About Thyroid Cancer:
- New lump in your neck, having trouble swallowing or breathing, pain, or feeling hoarse.
Some effects are not usually serious but tell your care team if they bother you or keep happening:
- Digestive Problems:
- Like diarrhea, loss of appetite, feeling sick to your stomach, stomach aches, or throwing up.
Remember, this list may not include all possible effects. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor. You can also let the FDA know about effects at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is more than 2 days away, take the missed dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose and the next scheduled dose is less than 2 days away, do not take the missed dose. Take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses. If you miss your dose for 2 weeks or more, take the next dose at your regular time or call your care team to talk about how to restart this medication.
How effective is semaglutide for weight loss in non-diabetics?
There have been several anti-obesity medications that help suppress appetite and achieve weight loss. But semaglutide performs on a new level.
An early study of 2,000 obese adults compared people using semaglutide plus a diet and exercise program with people who made the same lifestyle changes without semaglutide. After 68 weeks, half of the participants using semaglutide lost 15% of their body weight, and nearly a third lost 20%. Participants who incorporated only lifestyle changes lost about 2.4% of their weight.
Since then, additional studies have shown similar results. But they’ve also revealed that participants tend to regain the weight lost when they stop taking semaglutide.
Does Semaglutide Help in Losing Weight?
A study in 2021 showed that people who got a 2.4 milligram Semaglutide injection once a week lost about 14.9% of their weight on average over 68 weeks. This was way more than the 2.4% weight loss seen with a fake injection (placebo). This study included people with a high body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.
Because of this study, the FDA approved a once-a-week injection of Semaglutide in June 2021. It’s meant for people who are overweight or obese and have at least one weight-related health issue.”
SEMAGLUTIDE VS. OTHER WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATIONS
One key advantage of Semaglutide is its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. Clinical studies have shown that Semaglutide can lead to substantial weight reduction compared to other weight loss medications. In fact, a 68-week study involving obese individuals revealed that those who received Semaglutide achieved an average weight loss of around 15% of their initial body weight. This makes Semaglutide a powerful tool for individuals struggling with obesity.
Another notable aspect of Semaglutide is its convenience. Unlike some weight loss medications that require daily intake, Semaglutide is administered once a week via a subcutaneous injection. This makes it more convenient for individuals who may have difficulty adhering to a daily medication regimen. The weekly dosing schedule ensures a steady and sustained release of the medication, allowing for consistent weight loss progress.
Other commonly used weight loss medications include phentermine, orlistat, and liraglutide. Phentermine is a stimulant that works by suppressing appetite, while orlistat inhibits the absorption of dietary fat. Liraglutide, like Semaglutide, is also a GLP-1 RA medication and has shown efficacy in weight loss.
When comparing Semaglutide to these medications, Semaglutide’s ability to achieve significant weight loss and its once-weekly dosing schedule give it a competitive edge. However, individual factors such as medical history, side effect profiles, and personal preferences should be considered when making a decision.
Where should I keep my medication?
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Refrigeration (preferred): Store in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. Keep this medication in the original container until you are ready to take it. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.
Room temperature: If needed, prior to cap removal, the pen can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days. Protect from light. If it is stored at room temperature, get rid of any unused medication after 28 days or after it expires, whichever is first.
It is important to get rid of the medication as soon as you no longer need it or it is expired. You can do this in two ways:
- Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
- If you cannot return the medication, follow the directions in the MedGuide.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
