Did you know that 73% of adults are overweight or obese in the United States?

While a huge majority of people that fall under that statistic may be trying to lose weight, sometimes they can’t. Weight loss can be tricky, especially when there are medical reasons. However, there are ways you can still lose weight even when the going gets tough.

Keep reading to learn about a few things you should know about the anti-obesity drug, Semaglutide (aka. Wegovy and Ozempic) and how it can help aid in your medical weight loss journey.

1. Semaglutide and How It Works

So what is Semaglutide?

It is the generic form of Wegovy that is an injectable medication used for adults who are overweight or obese. However, it is not for any overweight or obese adults. It is only for those who have medical-related weight loss issues who are having trouble losing weight another way.

Even when using Semaglutide, it’s important to have a calorie deficit and increase physical activity. It will not work simply on its own.

When Semaglutide is injected, it acts as a hormone that targets the areas of your brain that regulate appetite. Basically, the injection makes you feel less hungry which will make you eat less and lose more weight.

2. Does the Injection Actually Work?

Studies have been done that are conclusive with the success of the injection.

In the study of about 2,000 adults over 68 weeks, people who had excess weight lost about 35 pounds, while those who were taking the placebo only lost about 6 pounds.

The study was taken over the 68-week time frame since the injection acts differently on everyone. Since everyone’s body is unique, the time it takes to start working is subjective.

You can have a conversation with your doctor about when they believe you will begin losing weight or what timeframe you may be looking at.

3. Does Semaglutide Have Side Effects?

As with most prescription medications and even some over-the-counter medications, there is always the risk of side effects when taking the drug.

The most common side effects to keep an eye out for are:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • stomach pain
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • belching and/or gas
  • stomach flu
  • heartburn

Some people may experience more severe side effects. It is always important to take note of what other medications you are on to ensure there are no complications with both.

If you experience any side effects, call your doctor right away!

Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss

Now that you know quite a bit about Semaglutide and how it works, you may feel more comfortable using it alongside your current weight loss program. Using Semaglutide can give you the results you are looking for if you are a great candidate for medical weight loss.

If you are ready to learn more about this and other proven methods for weight loss, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us! We’re here to help.