Weight Loss

SEMAGLUTIDE

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that’s administered once weekly. It was originally approved in 2017 — at a lower dose under the brand name Ozempic — to help control blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. People taking Ozempic for blood sugar control also tend to lose weight as an additional benefit.

Because of this, Novo Nordisk studied the medication in people without Type 2 diabetes, but at a higher dose. Now, semaglutide (under the brand name Wegovy) is FDA approved for weight loss. It can be used by adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 mg/kg² alone or 27 mg/kg² with at least one weight-related condition (e.g., high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Type 2 diabetes).

Semaglutide is also approved for chronic weight management in adolescents ages 12 and older. Eligibility is based on having an initial BMI at or above the 95th percentile for sex and age.

Semaglutide should be used in combination with lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and exercise.

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How does semaglutide work for weight loss?

GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a role in your appetite and digestion. Incretins — hormones released by your digestive tract — are sent out by your body after you’ve eaten a meal. They help lower your blood sugar by triggering insulin release and blocking sugar production. They also slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach (called gastric emptying).

The result of these actions causes you to feel full — lowering your appetite and causing you to lose weight. Medications like GLP-1 agonists are referred to as incretin mimetics since they “mimic” these effects.

As mentioned above, GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide, were originally used to treat Type 2 diabetes. This was due to their blood sugar-lowering effects. However, the weight loss side effect has been shown to benefit people without Type 2 diabetes as well.

What do we know about semaglutide side effects?

As introduced earlier, gastrointestinal (GI) side effects tend to happen most frequently when taking this medication. The most common are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. You may experience these effects more strongly when your healthcare provider increases your dose.

Additional common side effects can include:

Constipation
Stomach pain
Headache
Fatigue
Indigestion
Dizziness
Bloating
Burping

How does semaglutide compare to other weight loss medications?

One of the reasons there’s a lot of buzz and popularity around semaglutide is the amount of weight people lost during clinical trials. Typically, we tend to see an average of 5% to 10% weight loss with other medications.

The largest clinical trial studying semaglutide in adults showed an average weight loss of about 15% of initial body weight over 68 weeks (almost 16 months). Over the same length of time in another study, adolescents lost 16% of their initial body weight on average.

Oral weight loss medications tend to be less expensive than injectable options, but you may not lose as much weight. An oral option (Phentermine) that we offer can be read about below as well.

The bottom line

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved injectable weight-loss medication. Compared to other medications on the market, it may help you lose more weight. It takes a few months to reach the target dose, but side effects are much better managed by slowly increasing your dose over time.

Reach out to Vitality Health to learn more about semaglutide for weight loss. We can recommend the best chronic weight management option for you!

PHENTERMINE

Who Is Phentermine For?

Phentermine is a medication for chronic weight management. It is for people with overweight and weight-related complications or obesity. It is meant to be used together with a lifestyle therapy regimen involving a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

How Does Phentermine Work?

Phentermine is an appetite suppressant that works in the brain.

Who Should Not Take Phentermine?

People who have heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension
Women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to become pregnant
People who have glaucoma
People with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
People who are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) now or have taken one within the past 14 days
People who are prone to agitation (extreme restlessness and irritability)
People with a history of drug abuse

How Is Phentermine Dosed?

Take 1 tablet or capsule once a day before breakfast or 1-2 hours after breakfast.

Phentermine is approved for short-term weight loss therapy.

Is Phentermine a Controlled Substance?

Yes, phentermine is a federally controlled substance because it may be abused or lead to drug dependence.

Which Medications Might Not Be Safe to Use with Phentermine?

Phentermine can affect how other medicines work in your body, and other medicines can affect how phentermine works or make side effects worse. Tell your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take (ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list if you’re not sure), especially the following medicines:

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)—usually used to treat depression
Adrenergic neuron-blocking drugs—these are usually taken to treat high blood pressure or psychotic symptoms
Other weight loss medications, including over-the-counter medications
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—used to treat depression and anxiety Phentermine Patient Information 2 What Are the Common Side Effects of Phentermine?
Dry mouth
Restlessness
Difficulty sleeping
Increase in heart rate
Increase in blood pressure

What Are the Possible Serious Side Effects of Phentermine?

Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

A rare but often fatal disease of the lungs known as primary pulmonary hypertension has been reported in patients taking phentermine and phentermine-like products. Stop taking phentermine and call your doctor if you experience any difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, fainting, or swelling in the legs.

Heart Valve Disease

Serious heart valve problems or diseases have been reported in patients taking phentermine or other phentermine-like products for weight loss. The possibility of an association cannot be ruled out.

Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)

Weight loss can cause low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes who also take medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes. Test your blood sugar before and during treatment with phentermine.

Are There Any Special Precautions with Phentermine?

Do not drink alcohol while taking phentermine.

Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how phentermine affects you. Phentermine can slow our thinking and motor skills and also may affect your vision