Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 RAs. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone, released in the gut in response to eating.
One role of GLP-1 is to prompt the body to produce more insulin, which reduces blood sugar (glucose). For that reason, health care providers have used semaglutide for more than 15 years to treat Type 2 diabetes.
But GLP-1 in higher amounts also interacts with the parts of the brain that suppress your appetite and signal you to feel full. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss — and a reduced risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease — in people who are obese or overweight.
Improved Metabolic Health: Semaglutide doesn’t just support weight loss; it also helps improve overall metabolic health, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving glycemic control.
When starting on the medication, most common side effects that have been reported are nausea, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting.
Please talk to your Doctor if you experience any side effects that bother you or won’t go away.
If you experience nausea, here are some general nausea tips that you might find helpful:
1) Eat bland, low-fat foods, like crackers, toast, and rice
2) Eat foods that contain water, like soups and gelatin
3) Avoid fried, greasy, or sweet foods
4) Avoid lying down after you eat
5) Go outdoors for fresh air
6) Eat more slowly
7) Drink clear or ice-cold drinks
Avoid these medications if you have: History of medullary thyroid cancer. History of gallbladder disease. History of pancreatitis.
