Semaglutide is an antidiabetic indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as it works by stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas and decreasing the production of glucagon, which helps to reduce glucose levels in the bloodstream, when associated with a healthy diet and practicing regular physical exercise.
Furthermore, semaglutide, with the trade name Wegovy, is approved by ANVISA for weight loss, in people who suffer from obesity or overweight, as it promotes satiety, reducing hunger throughout the day, and, therefore, weight loss. weight loss occurs by reducing the number of calories consumed throughout the day.
Semaglutide can be found in pharmacies or drugstores, in the form of an injection, under the name Ozempic, or in the form of tablets, such as Rybelsus, for the treatment of diabetes, sold upon presentation of a medical prescription, and should always be used with guidance from the doctor. endocrinologist.
See with nutritionist Tatiana Zanin how semaglutide helps you lose weight:
What is it for
Semaglutide is indicated for the treatment of:
- Diabetes mellitus type 2 out of controlwhen diet, physical exercise and/or the use of other antidiabetics alone were not enough to control blood sugar levels;
- Obesity in adults com IMC superior a 30 kg/m2;
- Overweight in adults com IMC superior a 27 kg/m2associated with diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia or high cholesterol;
- Child obesityin adolescents over 12 years of age, with body weight greater than 60 kg, used in association with a low-calorie diet and increased physical exercise.
This medicine is a synthetic hormone, similar to glucagon produced naturally by the body, and which stimulates the body’s production of insulin, facilitating the control of blood sugar levels, when associated with a balanced diet and physical exercise.
Semaglutide for the treatment of diabetes can be used alone or in combination with other antidiabetic medications, such as metformin, for example, only with the guidance of an endocrinologist.
Make an appointment with an endocrinologist in the nearest region:
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Semaglutide for weight loss
Semaglutide stimulates the production of insulin by the pancreas, reducing blood sugar levels, in addition to regulating appetite and promoting satiety, reducing the amount of calories ingested daily and, therefore, this medicine also helps with weight loss, in cases of obesity or overweight.
Furthermore, in people who are overweight or obese and who also have diabetes, blood sugar levels are better regulated, meaning that sugar is more easily used by cells, and ends up being deposited less as fat.
Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity or overweight should only be used if recommended by a doctor and should be part of a balanced diet guided by a nutritionist and regular physical activity. See how to follow a balanced diet to lose weight.
How to use
The way to use semaglutide varies depending on its presentation and includes:
1. Semaglutide tablets (Rybelsus)
Semaglutide tablets, known as Rybelsus, can be found in doses of 3 mg, 7 mg or 14 mg, and can be used alone or combined with other medications to control diabetes, according to medical advice.
The tablets should be taken whole, with a glass of water, on an empty stomach, preferably before breakfast, and wait at least 30 minutes before having the first meal of the day or taking other medications.
The normally recommended starting dose for adults is 1 tablet of 3 mg of semaglutide per day, for 30 consecutive days. After the first month, the dose can be increased by the doctor to 1 7 mg tablet per day. If necessary, after 30 days, the doctor may recommend taking 1 tablet of 14 mg of semaglutide per day.
The maximum daily dose of semaglutide should not exceed 14 mg and should be taken with medical advice.
2. Semaglutide injectable pen (Ozempic)
Semaglutide in the form of an injectable pen, known as Ozempic, must be used through injections applied to the subcutaneous layer of the skin (under the skin) of the belly, thigh or upper arm. See how to inject under the skin correctly.
The normally recommended initial dose for adults is 1 injection of 0.25 mg, once a week. After four weeks, the dose is usually increased by the doctor to 0.5 mg once a week. If blood glucose is not well controlled, the doctor may increase the dose of the medication to 1 mg, once a week.
3. Semaglutide injectable pen (Wegovy)
Wegovy contains semaglutide in the form of an injectable pen of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg, and should be used for applications under the skin of the belly, thigh or of the upper arm.
The dose of semaglutide for the treatment of overweight or obese adults, or adolescents over 12 years of age and weighing more than 60 kg, should be applied once a week, starting with smaller doses and gradually increased each month by the endocrinologist, in agreement. with the following scheme:
These doses should only be increased with guidance from the endocrinologist, according to the response to treatment and assessment of side effects.
It is recommended to choose a day of the week and a time, so that the dose is always applied on the same day of the week and at the same time.
If you forget to apply the weekly dose on the correct day and time, you can apply it immediately up to a maximum of 5 days of forgetting. After 5 days of forgetting, or if the next scheduled dose is in less than 48 hours, you should skip the missed dose and continue the weekly schedule as scheduled.
For example, if the person applies the weekly dose on Monday at 10 am, and forgot to apply it on that day, they can apply it at the latest on Saturday at 10 am, as long as they are at least 48 hours away from the dose scheduled for Monday.
Adolescents over 12 years of age must have regular medical monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the treatment, and it is normally recommended to continue the use of semaglutide if there is a loss of at least 5% of BMI, after 12 weeks of treatment with a dose of 2.4 mg or the maximum tolerated dose.
If this result has not been achieved, the doctor should reevaluate the treatment with Wegovy.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of using semaglutide are:
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Stomach pain, heartburn or poor digestion;
- Diarrhea, constipation or excess intestinal gas;
- Frequent burping;
- Loss of appetite;
- Difficulty swallowing;
- Hypoglycemia;
- Anxiety or depression;
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Tiredness.
It is important to seek immediate medical attention or the nearest emergency room if symptoms arise such as decreased urine output, severe nausea and vomiting that does not improve, severe stomach or abdominal pain, blurred or blurred vision, hoarseness, shortness of breath, heartbeat rapid heartbeat, yellowing of the skin or eyes, swelling, watery or bloody diarrhea.
In addition, the doctor should be informed if the person has changes in mood or behavior, depression, anxiety, talks or thinks about hurting themselves or thoughts about suicide.
Semaglutide can also cause less common effects, such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallstones, changes in the taste of food and stomach paralysis (gastroparesis).
In the case of injections, side effects may appear at the injection site, such as pain, itching, irritation, lesions and purple spots near the place semaglutide was applied.
Can semaglutide cause a rebound effect?
Semaglutide can also cause a rebound effect, which is the weight gain lost or even more after stopping treatment, especially when you stop using the medicine without medical advice.
Read too: Rebound effect: what it is, symptoms, causes (and what to do)
Ozempic’s face
Ozempic face is a term that has been popularly used to indicate the changes that rapid weight loss can cause to the face, such as facial aging or sagging.
However, this term is not a medical term, and is not used in medicine, since any procedure that leads to rapid weight loss, such as bariatric surgery, can have the same effect on the face. Furthermore, Ozempic’s face appears to reinforce the stigma surrounding the treatment of obesity, which is why its use is not recommended.
Who cannot use
Semaglutide should not be used by people allergic to any of the formula’s components or by people with type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
This medicine should also not be used by children and adolescents under 18 years of age, and by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
In addition, people with kidney or pancreas problems, stomach problems such as hiatus hernia or gastroesophageal reflux, or people who are using other medications, should inform their doctor about these conditions before starting to use semaglutide.
Care during treatment
Some precautions during treatment with semaglutide are important, such as:
- Do not use semaglutide unless advised by your doctor;
- Take or apply semaglutide at the right times, as advised by your doctor;
- Do not increase the dose of semaglutide on your own, but only after medical evaluation and advice;
- Inform your doctor of all medications you use, including vitamins or dietary supplements, as semaglutide may interfere with the absorption of these medications;
- Follow the diet and physical exercises recommended by your doctor;
- Eat in small quantities and at shorter intervals;
- Drink at least 2 L of water per day, to keep the body hydrated, and avoid dehydration in the case of diarrhea or vomiting;
- Avoid very hot foods, as the steam from the food can cause nausea and vomiting;
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages;
- Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during treatment.
In addition, medical follow-up should be carried out regularly and the side effects of semaglutide should be communicated to the doctor so that the treatment can be re-evaluated.
