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veryone Is Talking About Losing Weight with Semaglutide Injections: Can They Help Me?
Semaglutide is a prescription medication originally designed to help people with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Its FDA-approved brand names include Ozempic ® and Wegovy®, which are injections, and a tablet called Rybelsus®.
But when doctors and researchers discovered its major side effect is weight loss, they began recommending semaglutide for both diabetes treatment and weight management in varying doses.
For help determining if you’re a candidate for semaglutide injections or tablets, see Dr. Qureshi or Laura Canada, NP, at Creekside Wellness in Cypress, Texas, to begin your weight loss journey.
How semaglutide works for weight loss
Semaglutide injections are GLP-1 agonists that are effective for weight loss because they mimic hormones naturally present in your body.
These hormones help slow digestion, regulate blood sugar, and decrease appetite — making it easier to eat fewer calories to drop weight because you feel much less hungry.
How effective is semaglutide?
Numerous studies have examined the effects of semaglutide medications on effective weight loss.
Researchers found that semaglutide is highly effective for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals, who often lose about 15% of their initial body weight in just over a year. They suggest that people taking this medicine also demonstrate improvements in heart disease risk factors and physical functioning.
Other studies have reported more dramatic results, with subjects losing up to 20% (or more) of their initial body weights after just six months.
Potential side effects
Despite semaglutide’s high rates of weight loss success, side effects are possible.
Examples include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Allergic reactions
- Indigestion
Redness or itchiness at the injection site may also appear, along with low blood sugar. Severe side effects, such as kidney injury and pancreatitis, are rare.
Experiencing side effects is more likely to occur after you first begin taking semaglutide or when increasing your current dosage.
Perks of semaglutide
The following are potential benefits linked to overweight individuals using semaglutide:
- Easier weight loss
- More energy
- Reduced blood pressure and cholesterol
- Improvements in fatty liver disease
- Lower risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and other chronic conditions
- Delayed neuropathy and other diabetes-related complications
- Less depression
You may experience peace of mind, self-confidence, a happier mood, and overall quality of life improvements as you progress toward and achieve your weight goal.
Is semaglutide right for me?
Semaglutide has helped many people safely lose weight, but it’s not for everyone. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children under age 12 should avoid it — as well as individuals with type 1 diabetes or a history of gallbladder disease, pancreatitis, medullary thyroid cancer, and multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Semaglutide is helping people with health concerns achieve healthier weights and reduce chronic disease risks. Check-in with the Creekside Wellness specialists to determine if you’re a candidate for this life-altering medication as part of a comprehensive weight management program.
Want to discover more about semaglutide? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Qureshi or Laura Canada, NP, at Creekside Wellness by contacting us today by phone or online.