How Does Semaglutide Work? Understanding How Weight Loss Occurs Through GLP-1s

Semaglutide is one of many popular weight loss drugs on the market today. Fun fact, it’s the active ingredient used in many well-known weight loss drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy. 

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Regardless, we realize that understanding the different types of weight loss medications can be confusing for people who are new to the world of pharmaceuticals. If that’s you, don’t worry. We’ll explain exactly what semaglutide is and how it works to help with weight loss throughout this article.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an injectable medication that is a part of the GLP-1 agonist drug category. This medication works on multiple areas of the body to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite. It triggers the pancreas to release insulin which lowers blood sugar, helping to regulate blood sugar levels in people who have type 2 diabetes. It also suppresses the appetite and slows down the digestive process. This helps you feel full for longer from smaller amounts of food which ultimately leads to weight loss. 

How Does Semaglutide Work?

There are several different ways that semaglutide works inside of the body. As mentioned, it helps people with type 2 diabetes keep blood sugar levels at bay and it can also aid in weight loss for people who are overweight or obese. 

Suppresses Appetite

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced in the digestive tract—it plays an important role in regulating your appetite. Semaglutide mimics this hormone by binding to the GLP-1 receptors in the brain. This helps to reduce feelings of hunger, leading to a lower calorie intake. 

Slowed Digestive Process

Semaglutide slows down the digestive process, meaning that food will move through your digestive tract at a slower rate. This keeps you feeling full for longer and causes you to eat less. 

Insulin Release

Semaglutide also stimulates insulin release. This is one of the reasons why semaglutide is beneficial for people who have type 2 diabetes since it helps to keep blood sugar levels normal. 

Evaluating the Efficacy of Semaglutide in Weight Loss

Multiple studies have found that semaglutide is an effective weight-loss medication. One study found that participants had a weight loss of 14.7 pounds in 3 months and 27 pounds in 6 months. Another study also supports that semaglutide causes significant weight loss with participants showing an average weight loss of 16% of body weight over the course of the 68 week study. 

How Fast Does Semaglutide Work for Weight Loss?

Semaglutide can start to work for weight loss soon after beginning treatment, but most users don’t report significant weight loss until a few months later. Everyone will react differently to the medication so the exact timeline will vary. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose and slowly increase it. If side effects make it difficult for you to increase the dosage this can affect the time it takes for the medication to show results. 

Knowing the Side Effects of Semaglutide

It is important to be aware of potential side effects before taking semaglutide. The most common ones include:

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• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Belching

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There is a small possibility of developing serious side effects from semaglutide. These rare symptoms can include:

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• Pancreatitis
• Serious allergic reaction
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Thyroid tumor or cancer 

Understanding Who Can Benefit from Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Semaglutide is not for everyone but for some people it could be a helpful solution for weight loss. People who can benefit from semaglutide include:

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• Those with type 2 diabetes who have difficulty controlling blood sugar levels
• Those with type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 27 or higher
• Those with a BMI of 30 or more
• Those with a BMI of 27 or more and a weight-related health complication like high blood pressure or high cholesterol 

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Semaglutide is not recommended for anyone who is breastfeeding or pregnant since it is not known if the medication could cause harm to the baby. Talk in depth with your provider about the risks and benefits of taking semaglutide to determine if it is the right choice for you. 

Enhancing Weight Loss Progress with Ahara’s Compounded Semaglutide

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Ahara offers a simple and straightforward weight loss program that includes prescription weight loss medication and professional nutrition counseling from a registered dietitian. Our program will set you up with a virtual doctor's visit to help determine if you’re a good candidate for one of Ahara’s weight loss medications. 

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We offer both compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. We will then provide you with ongoing support throughout your weight loss journey to ensure that your efforts pay off. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Semaglutide

How long does it take for Semaglutide to work?

Semaglutide may start working as soon as 2 weeks after beginning treatment but most people won’t see significant weight loss results until at least 12 weeks after starting the medication. 

What are the drawbacks of using Semaglutide? 

Semaglutide can cause uncomfortable side effects like nausea and vomiting. There are also more serious risks of taking semaglutide that are less common. It is important to carefully weigh out the risks and benefits of taking semaglutide before you begin treatment. 

Is Semaglutide the same as Ozempic? 

Semaglutide and Ozempic are essentially the same. Semaglutide is the generic name of the drug while Ozempic is the brand name. Semaglutide is also sold under other names like Wegovy. 

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