You’ve heard about it and about those that are using it, but what is semaglutide, really?
What Is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management. – Wikipedia.
What Brand Names Are Semaglutides Available As?
Semaglutide for diabetes is marketed under the names: “Ozempic” and “Rybelsus“. Semaglutide for weight management and weight loss is marketed under the name: “Wegovy“.
How Do Semaglutides, Ozempic, and Rybelsus treat Type-2 Diabetes?
Semaglutides increase naturally occurring hormones in the body called incretins. Produced in the stomach, these incretins not only help your body to product more insulin, but it also reduces glucose and sugar amounts produced by the liver. All of this also helps to lower overall blood sugar levels and HbA1c.
How Do Semaglutides and Wegovy Help with Weight Management?
All of the benefits produced by semaglutides (Increase incretins and insulin, reduce glucose and sugar, lower blood sugars and HbA1c) also help with weight management on a metabolic level, while the semaglutides also act on the brain. They increase feelings of fullness, reduce feelings of hunger and reduce cravings for high-fat foods.
Are Semaglutides Safe?
Semaglutides are considered safe when used for their on-label uses as approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). As with any new drug, long-term studies are incomplete and we do not know all of the possible long-term side effects and health impacts of their use. Generally, you can consider semaglutides for weight loss and type-2 diabetes management just as safe as any other FDA-approved prescription drug on the market in the United States.
Are There Any Health Concerns with Semaglutides?
There are some cautions and concerns with each form of semaglutide that all protential users should consider…
Semaglutide Subcutaneous (semaglutide injection pens) – DO NOT SHARE PENS! Just like hypodermic needles, you do not share injection pens with other people. There is a risk of bloodborne diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis, and others. Wegovy and other forms of semaglutide for weight loss may come as an injectable pen.
Off Label Uses – Semaglutides are FDA-approved only for 2 on-label uses: Type-2 Diabetes Management, and Weight Loss Management. Taking Semaglutides for off-label uses is not recommended and may have health and safety implications.
Compounded Semaglutides — Compounded medications obtained from a compounding pharmacy are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. Compounded semaglutides may contain additional ingredients that could be harmful or cause additional side effects.
Again, as long as you are using the FDA-approved medications correctly and for their on-label use, semaglutides are considered safe and effective.
Why Do Semaglutides Get Bad Reputation and Press Recently?
Semaglutides, Ozempic, Wegovy, and GLP-1 Injections have gotten a lot of good and bad press in the news lately. It is very difficult for the average person to sort through the murky vision of the drugs that media and society is creating. Why does this FDA-approved drug get such a bad reputation?
Weight Loss Drugs Always Cause A Stir – It doesn’t matter what the chemical is or how it is marketed, throughout modern history all new drugs that promise to “manage or reduce weight” always come with speculation and skepticism — even from doctors and physicians.
Personal Celebrity Endorsement Stories – There are a lot of famous people that are finding success with semaglutides for both weight loss and type-2 diabetes management. The things that celebrities talk about also become famous, cause a commotion, and get everyone talking. This, coupled with the dramatic weight-loss successes that are visibly noticeable in formerly overweight celebrities, makes semaglutides, Ozempic, Wegovy, and GLP-1 injections a VERY hot topic. All hot topics have very vocal critics and “haters.”
Doctors and Physicians Dissuading Patients From Its Use – This is a complex issue, but has nothing to do with the verifiable safety of semaglutides. Yes, some doctors have their own personal preferences and feelings towards using drugs for weight loss, and this can cause some doctors to tell their patients to exercise and eat healthier instead of recommending semaglutides for weigh loss.
Semaglutide Shortages – Complicating matters, in 2024 a semaglutide shortage saw some doctors and physicians NOT recommending semaglutides for weight loss, so-as to save the supply for those needing it for type-2 diabetes management. This prioritizing of the label-use is what started a lot of rumors about doctors “not trusting” or “not wanting to prescribe/recommend” semaglutides. As of December 2024, there is no semaglutide shortage and medications are in full supply.
There is a lot of negative press happening about Ozempic and other similar drugs, but it is happening due to personal opinions and societal opinions, and Media bias, not the opinions of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Should I Take Semaglutides, Ozempic, or GLP-1 for Diabetes Management?
If you have type-2 diabetes, speak with your physician about semaglutides. At Family Allergy Clinic, our doctors will evaluate your diabetic needs and determine if this drug that has helped millions to manage their type-2 diabetes is a right fit for you.
Should I Take Semaglutides, Wegovy, or GLP-1 for Weight Management?
Yes, if you want to lose weight and meet the criteria for prescription, then by-all-means seek what you want. The decision should be between you and your doctor based on the FDA-approval for on-label uses and the wealth of information we have from continuing studies. Semaglutide for weight loss in Mesa starts by contacting us at Family Allergy Clinic to Set Your Appointment.
