What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication used to treat type-2 diabetes and recently as a treatment for obesity.  It has shown great promise in obesity medicine in helping millions of individuals achieve significant and sustainable weight loss. It is a not a magic injection and definitely not for everyone, but might be just what you need to start your weight loss journey.

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How does it work?

Semaglutide (GLP-1 agonist) acts like a glucagon-like peptide-1 to target areas of the brain that regulate appetite and food intake resulting in decrease intake and weight loss. It regulates blood glucose and therefore helps decrease oxidative stress and inflammation to improve overall health. 

  

What are the side effects?

Most common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain and constipation. Improved quickly with continued use. Inflammation of the pancreas and the gallbladder can be seen. Rare side effects such as increased thyroid cancer have been seen in animal studies but not in humans.

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Who can take semaglutide?

Overweight individuals with BMI 27 with a weight related co-morbidity, BMI 30 and above, no contraindications. Should not be taken with other weight loss medications unless approved by a healthcare professional. 

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Who should not use semaglutide?

Individuals with personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN-2) syndrome. Not recommended for pregnant individuals. Individuals with known hypersensitivity to semaglutide.

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What is our Protocol?

Once weekly subcutaneous injection (SQ) in a dose escalation process to reduce side effects

Week 1-4: 0.25 mg SQ weekly

Week 4-8: 0.5 mg SQ weekly

Week 9-12: 1 mg  SQ weekly

Week 13-16: 1.7 mg SQ weekly

Week 17 and above: 2.4 mg SQ weekly