Compounded semaglutide works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is secreted in the gut and targets areas of the brain that regulate appetite and satiety (sense of fullness after eating). In 2017, it was released as an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. In June 2021, brand name semaglutide was approved for "chronic weight management" in obese individuals with a BMI ≥ 30 or overweight BMI ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Unfortunately, medications used to treat obesity are not usually covered by insurance and the cost of current injectable weight loss medications is a staggering $1300-1400 per month. There is also currently a nationwide shortage of these medications. Name brand semaglutide has been in a shortage and on the FDA Shortlist since 2021. It is important to note that per the FDA "Compounded drugs pose a higher risk to patients than FDA-approved drugs because they do not undergo FDA premarket review for safety, effectiveness, or quality." Click here for more information on the FDA shortlist and compounding pharmacies.
Semaglutide treatment is a once a week subcutaneous (SQ) injection which is typically injected into the abdominal fat. SQ injections are VERY easy to do and usually painless! Most patients learn how to do this during the first visit!
1) Schedule your appointment
2) Labs may be required depending on your situation. Labs are drawn in office and are an additional fee.
3) One week follow up to review how to draw up and administer injection
4) Two week follow up to receive your medication and again review how to draw up and administer injection (if needed).
5) Follow-up office visit, telemed, or phone call every 4 -6 weeks
5) In-office visit every 3 months
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, and include:
Other more serious side effects include:
If you experience any serious side effects, contact your healthcare provider immediately or seek emergency treatment.
The medication should not be used in anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), because there is an increased risk of developing thyroid C-cell tumors. You are NOT a good candidate for semaglutide if you currently have or have had in the past any of the following: diabetic retinopathy, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), poor kidney function, or pancreatitis,
There is also an increased risk of other complications including:
Not everyone will respond to semaglutide—about 13% of individuals with obesity in the semaglutide clinical trials didn’t lose any weight. Researchers say this is because there are different kinds—or subtypes—of obesity that remain unknown.
This is an excellent video that demonstrates step-by-step exactly how to draw up and inject medication subcutaneously. Highly recommended and the New Zealand accent makes it fun!
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