What is Semaglutide and how does it work?
FDA Approved, Semaglutide is a Glucagon like Peptide-1 receptor agonist, (GLP-1 RA) used for glycemic control in patients living with type 2 diabetes, (T2DM). Semaglutide has been FDA Approved for weight loss in patients with and without diabetes.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 is an Incretin Secretory Molecule. Incretins are hormones that help decrease blood glucose levels. Effects of GLP-1 RA include glucose control, body weight loss, protection of islet β cells of the pancreas, promotion of islet β cell multiplication, and minimal side effects of hypoglycemia.

The GLP-1 receptor is widely distributed on the pancreatic, lungs, kidneys, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and the vagus nerves. When activated, the GLP-1 receptor causes multiple biological effects, such as reducing neuroinflammation, promoting nerve growth, improving heart function by improving microvascular function and reducing cardiovascular events by decreasing blood pressure, suppressing appetite, delaying gastric emptying, regulating blood lipid metabolism, and reducing fat deposition as well as activating the metabolism of brown fat.

Obesity, as a chronic recurrent disease, is known to increase the risk of developing T2MD, hypertension, dyslipidemias, CVDs, fatty liver disease, and other diseases, leading to poor quality of life and increased mortality. Obesity is related to increased appetite, changes in the levels of gastrointestinal hormones, increased fat mass, and disorders of satiety and satiation mechanisms.

Semaglutide has shown to improve weight loss in obese patients that are both diabetic and non-diabetic. It was found that Semaglutide could regulate food preference, as well as reduce food intake and body weight without reducing energy consumption.

Who can take Semaglutide for weight loss?
Semaglutide injection is used along with Dr. Fortino’s diet and exercise program to help with weight loss in overweight adults who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol.

Who should not take Semaglutide for weight loss?
Someone who has a thyroid cancer, diabetic retinopathy, history of pancreatitis, kidney failure, stomach motility problems, history of hypoglycemia, pregnancy or planning a pregnancy, breast feeding, a previous allergic reaction to Semaglutide.

What medications interactions are important to know when using Semaglutide?
Semaglutide causes a delay of gastric (stomach) emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications, so caution should be exercised.

Insulin and other Diabetic medications. Dose adjustment to your diabetes medication may need to be made if your blood sugar falls to low. When initiating Semaglutide, monitor blood sugar more aggressively if you are prescribed insulin or other medications for Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2).

Levothyroxine may interfere with blood glucose control and reduce the effectiveness of Semaglutide and other diabetic medications. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely. You may need a dose adjustment of your diabetic medications during and after treatment with levothyroxine. Beta blockers can reduce your ability to detect if your blood sugar is low

What are the common side effects that can occur taking Semaglutide?

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Constipation
  • Hypoglycemia, if used with Insulin therapy
  • Injection site reaction

How do I take Semaglutide? What is the Semaglutide dose?
Semaglutide is started at 10 units, (0.25mg, (1/10 ml) subcutaneous injection once weekly for (4) four weeks in Phase 1. The dose is then increased to 20 units (0.50mg, 2/10ml) subcutaneously once weekly in Phase 2. The 0.50mg dose is a maintenance dose and can be continued until your desired results are obtained.

The day of your weekly Semaglutide injection can be changed, if necessary, if the time between two doses is at least 2 days (>48 hours).

If a Semaglutide dose is missed, administer Semaglutide as soon as possible within 5 days after the missed dose. If more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose, and administer the next dose of Semaglutide on the regularly scheduled day. Patients administer Semaglutide subcutaneously to the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. It is ok to use a different injection site each week.

How do I get Semaglutide for weight loss?
Dr. Fortino has a Semaglutide weight loss clinic in Philadelphia and a Semaglutide weight loss clinic in South Jersey for your convenience. Call our Philadelphia weight loss clinic @ 215.336.8000 or call our New Jersey weight loss clinic @ 856.318.4100. For additional information on Semaglutide for weight loss or to schedule your Semaglutide weight loss appointment email our office @ info@drfortino.net.