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While originally used with medical purposes such as managing type 2 diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risk, Semaglutide is now used for aesthetic reasons as well, becoming popular under a few different brand names like “Ozempic”, “Wegovy”, and “Rybelsus”. However, no matter what brand it’s available under, it’s based on the same active substance and has the exact same effects.
In most countries, it’s available with a medical prescription. However, smaller doses of Semaglutide are now available for supplementation as well. And for research uses – you can buy Semaglutide without any prescription for off-label use.
When it comes to aesthetic purposes, the primary goal is to help you lose weight and tone your body. It’s usually used together with a healthy diet and exercise.
That being said, here’s everything you need to know about Semaglutide, from its benefits and how it works to its potential contraindications and typical dosage recommendations.
Explained Simply: What’s Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is officially rated as a medication. In smaller doses, it can also be seen as a supplement. While it comes with a prescription for medical uses, those interested in its aesthetic benefits can also take it as a supplement. Of course, it requires reading the prospect upfront.
From a medical point of view, Semaglutide is part of a family of GLP-1 agonists, also referred to as analogues.
Such medications are known as incretin mimetics. Basically, they keep an eye on blood sugar levels and release the optimal amount of insulin as your body needs it.
What are the Use Cases of Semaglutide Peptide?
Semaglutide is used mainly in two different ways.
The Medical Approach
Medically, Semaglutide keeps blood sugar levels under control in those suffering from type 2 diabetes. The condition causes the blood sugar to spike, mainly because the body finds it difficult to produce or use insulin accordingly.
At the same time, the medication is given to reduce the risks of strokes and heart attacks in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, as well as those suffering from heart disease. It’s also prescribed to adults struggling with obesity and heart related affections, let alone kidney affections.
Since many of these problems are caused or aggravated by excessive weight, Semaglutide also helps them lose weight.
Clinical trials have shown that semaglutide can lead to sustained weight loss, with some studies reporting average reductions of 10–15% of body weight over one to two years in people with obesity or overweight, both with and without diabetes.
The Aesthetic Approach
From an aesthetic perspective, Semaglutide is mainly taken to reduce fat deposits, but also to stimulate fat burning throughout the body. However, for such effects to become visible, it must be taken together with a healthy diet, not to mention physical activity.
Although Semaglutide also has health benefits, fat loss is the primary goal when taken as a supplement.
It’s important to understand that while it can help you lose weight, Semaglutide won’t always work if you have an unhealthy lifestyle. While you’ll still lose weight, you’ll basically lose both fat and muscle tissue. You won’t get toned. Therefore, you need healthy foods and regular physical activity to target fat only.
How Semaglutide Works for Weight Loss?
Semaglutide mainly works on the blood sugar levels. When these levels go too high, it means the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. Even if the body has plenty of insulin, it’s used incorrectly, so blood sugar levels are still high.
Semaglutide stimulates the production of insulin. The process causes excessive sugar to be transformed into energy and burnt away.
From a different point of view, Semaglutide will also slow down the emptying of the stomach. This means you’ll feel full for longer, especially after a meal. You’ll no longer crave snacks or another meal a few hours away, but you’ll lose some of your appetite.
This is how it affects weight loss. Once again, this process won’t necessarily target fat only, so you’ll need to adopt a healthy lifestyle too and regular exercise to support overall health.
General Benefits of Semaglutide Seen in Research
Beyond weight loss by reducing appetite and promoting fullness, Semaglutide has a bunch of other advantages that can help.
Cardiovascular Benefits
While often a reason for medical use, cardiovascular health is a natural benefit of taking Semaglutide. It’s been proven to reduce the risks associated with major cardiovascular issues, whether or not you have diabetes.
In other words, Semaglutide can prevent the risks associated with strokes and heart attacks. It’s especially useful in those suffering from cardiovascular affections, but you don’t have to wait until you experience such an episode to start taking it.
Diabetes Benefits
People prone to diabetes or diabetes patients will also benefit from better blood sugar control. When blood sugar levels simply go too high, the body produces more insulin, ensuring a stable operation. There’s also less insulin adjustment needed.
Kidney Benefits
Semaglutide has also been proven to improve kidney functionality. Like all systems in the human body, kidney function also declines with time. It’s perfectly normal, yet it can have serious consequences in terms of health. Semaglutide can slow down the deterioration.
Recent studies also suggest that semaglutide offers kidney protection in people with overweight or obesity, even those without diabetes.
On top of all these, Semaglutide also:
- Has a generally positive impact on the entire body.
- Improves the overall state of wellness.
- Reduces the risk of certain types of cancer.
- Improves brain health.
- Is believed to have anti-inflammatory capabilities, yet they’re not deeply researched.
How to Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is administered through subcutaneous or intramuscular injections (under the skin).
We always advise using small insulin syringes, 27G and use them to mix the Semaglutide peptide with BAC water to reach your wanted concentration. Usually, you will want to inject ~2ml of BAC water into the Semgalutide vial.
The administration occurs once a week. For the best results, try to do it on the same day week by week, at the same time. If you do have to change the day of the week, make sure there are at least 48 hours between your last dose and the next one.
Taking higher doses of Semaglutide won’t rush the process or help you. Instead, you risk an overdose. Taking less than what’s given is also a bad idea.
Like other similar treatments, Semaglutide will be started with a relatively low dose. The patient will have to observe potential effects, both positive and negative. If there are no side effects, the dose will usually be increased, but only after four weeks. Such adjustments must be made by a doctor or carefully by yourself if you understand the health situation you are in.
As for the actual injection site, there are a few common areas that are easy to reach and less likely to cause problems:
- Upper arm, yet you might need someone to help you out.
- Thigh, as it’s a wide area that’s easy to access.
- Stomach area, for the same reason.
Use a different area for the same injection. Even if you choose one area for all your injections, pick a different site to avoid irritation or other issues associated with the actual injection.
General Semaglutide Dosage Instructions
The optimal dose of Semaglutide will vary from one patient to another. It’s important to follow all the instructions in the prospect or talk to a doctor upfront. The dose depends on what Semaglutide is used for, as well as its strength.
- For different affections, most treatments start with a 0.25mg (250 micrograms) dose on a weekly basis for around 4 weeks.
- later you can increase to 0.5 mg weekly
- Can be increased to 1.0 mg/week if better glucose control is needed
- In some cases, 2.0 mg weekly is used (rarely).
If you miss a dose, instructions vary from one brand to another. Normally, you should take it as soon as you remember, but not if it’s almost time for the next dose. It depends on how frequent these doses are and whether you take Semaglutide orally or by injection.
Avoid taking a double dose because you risk an overdose. It won’t make up for your missed one. Always follow your prescribed dosing schedule and consult your healthcare provider before making any changes.
Recommended Storage for Semaglutide
Store Semaglutide responsibly, away from children. If you no longer need the medication or it’s outdated, simply get rid of it.
Semaglutide must be stored in a refrigerator, but never frozen. Unused medicine pens must be kept in the same manner, in their original cartons. Depending on the brand, you might be able to store opened pens at room temperature for a specific time.
Always check the prospect coming with Semaglutide, only to ensure you store it accordingly.
Semaglutide Precautions
You shouldn’t take Semaglutide if you end up with diabetic ketoacidosis. If you’re already taking Semaglutide, stop the treatment and seek help from a specialist doctor.
The medication is also contraindicated to those who have kidney disease, yet it depends on the affection and its severity. Severe liver disease also contraindicates this medication.
If you’re about to go through an operation, discuss interrupting the treatment with your doctor. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also avoid it.
Although rare, there are also allergic reactions to Semaglutide, so it’s worth checking upfront.
Possible Side Effects of Semaglutide
Apart from its desired effects, Semaglutide may also cause adverse reactions.
Belching, bloating, constipation or diarrhea are among the common ones. Nausea and stomach discomfort can also occur. Check with your doctor if you experience such issues. Normally, they go away after your body gets used to Semaglutide.
Reactions at the injection site could also occur, hence the necessity to change the site for every dose. Such reactions may include swelling, redness or irritation.
While less common, these reactions could also require medical advice:
- Fever
- Yellow skin
- Stomach upset
- Anxiety
- Confusion
The feeling of fullness and loss of appetite are often among the desired effects among those taking Semaglutide for weight loss purposes. From a medical perspective, they’re considered side effects.
FAQs
Still undecided about Semaglutide? Check out the most frequently asked questions about Semaglutide.
Short answer is yes. While it doesn’t have the brand name – the Semaglutide itself is the same active compound used in all of these 3 brands. You can view it as a generic version of any drug. That is why it’s significantly cheaper than the branded versions.
Semaglutide was originally developed for patients with type 2 diabetes. It has a series of beneficial effects on the human body. Weight loss due to a loss of appetite or slow stomach emptying isn’t necessarily a desired effect, but mainly considered an adverse reaction. However, given these effects, more and more people take Semaglutide with weight loss purposes.
People taking Semaglutide will have low blood sugar, assuming they take it together with a healthy diet and regular exercise. The medication will also lower the risk of cardiovascular affections, as well as kidney problems. Semaglutide can also help lose weight, yet it’s not a weight loss medication. In some cases, patients actually gained weight.
Semaglutide works in a few different ways for weight loss. It regulates appetite and will most likely reduce it, so you won’t be tempted with snacks or heavy meals. The stomach will empty at a much slower rate too, so you’ll experience a feeling of fullness. Therefore, you won’t feel hungry. You’ll end up eating less, hence the weight loss.
Last Words
As a short final conclusion, Semaglutide is a medication created for type 2 diabetes patients, but with plenty of other effects that make it suitable for other uses too.
Semaglutide is usually available in branded names like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®, yet they’re all based on the exact same substance and bring in similar effects. However, like for any other form of medication, strength may vary, so you’ll have to adjust the dose based on your personal preference.
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