What are the side effects of semaglutide therapy?
The most common side effects of semaglutide treatment are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, especially when first starting treatment. For most patients, these gastrointestinal effects start to resolve within 4-6 weeks as the body adjusts. If side effects become severe, dosage can be lowered temporarily until one adapts.
How long does it take to see results from semaglutide?
Appetite suppression and subsequent gradual weight loss are usually noticed within 1-3 weeks of initiating semaglutide injections. However, full results in terms of metabolic health, energy, endurance, and body composition improvements may take 3-6 months. This timeframe can vary based on dosage, diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors. Weight loss typically plateaus around 6 months into treatment.
Is semaglutide safe long-term?
Yes, research data reports semaglutide is safe for long-term use based on multi-year clinical trials. No harmful effects have been observed with prolonged treatment. In fact, the longer one uses semaglutide properly under medical guidance, the more cumulative health and wellness benefits accrue over time. That said, occasional lab testing should be performed routinely to ensure one stays in optimal dosing ranges.
Can semaglutide be used with other medications?
In most situations, yes. However, adjustments may need to be made to diabetes and blood pressure medications to avoid side effects like hypoglycemia or hypotension. Renew Health Clinic physicians will counsel you on modifying other prescriptions you take to make semaglutide integration safe and seamless.
How much weight can I lose on semaglutide?
In clinical studies, semaglutide use resulted in an average weight reduction of 15-18% from baseline. However, results can vary considerably based on factors like baseline weight, diet, exercise regimen, genetics, and more. Their physicians work closely with you over months to stimulate maximum weight loss based on your starting point and objectives.
Does semaglutide therapy increase the risk for medullary thyroid cancer?
There were some worries in early research that semaglutide may elevate the risk for a very rare form of thyroid cancer called medullary cancer. However, larger 10 year studies have now convincingly shown these worries to be unfounded. Semaglutide treatment does NOT increase susceptibility to developing ANY form of thyroid cancer compared to the general population. However, Renew Health Clinicians still routinely monitor thyroid lab tests for maximal safety.
Who should not use semaglutide?
Those with the following conditions are generally not candidates for semaglutide therapy:
- History of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Pregnant or actively attempting to conceive