All You Need To Know About Semaglutide

By Your Health Magazine

You might have come across the name Ozempic and Wegovy recently. These are the brand names of the drug semaglutide and several countries have already approved it to help with weight loss amongst people who are dealing with issues of being overweight or obesity. Wegovy is used for weight loss while Ozempic is suitable for those with type 2 diabetes. In this article, we discuss what these drugs are, how do they work and whether they carry any health risks.

What do these drugs do?

It is obvious to wonder how these drugs work and what they do. These drugs tend to mimic the actions of a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1. It has multiple effects, like slowing down the process of emptying your stomach, boosting insulin release, and acting on your brain to reduce your appetite. This will help control your blood sugar levels.

The analogue has been used in people with type 2 diabetes for more than a decade and they have also seen modest weight loss. The drugs create a system that already exists inside the human body and it help suppress the appetite once you consume a meal.

Why are they popular?

Glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 is prescribed for weight loss in individuals with type 2 diabetes and it is available in a formulation that is easy to use. Earlier, it was approved for use in a lower dose and was required to be given by daily injections twice a day. But in the latest formulation, it is a weekly injection.

What is the effectiveness?

These drugs are very effective and doctors are talking about them bringing a significant shift in obesity management. Earlier, about a 5% loss of body weight was considered an ideal result for any weight loss medicine other than surgery which is a benchmark in the drug trials. When it comes to these two drugs, Wegovy brings about a 15% drop in body weight over a year when combined with a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. There are also people who feel that GLP-1 has led them to become gaunt but it does not do anything to the skin. At the end of the day, it is a weight loss drug and the weight loss will cause other side effects. However, these side effects are usually caused by constipation, nausea, or diarrhea which often occurs as one gets used to the drug. Even hair loss has been reported by a few semaglutide users and it seems to be more significant after noticeable weight loss but it can be seen due to weight loss from other causes too, like surgery. It is considered to be due to physiological stress over the body which leads to a higher number of hair follicles entering the resting phase, which leads to hair fall after a few months. As the weight stabilizes, it will stop.

What are the long-term results?

All patients are concerned about the long-term impact on weight and naturally so, it is important to understand how the drugs work on your body over the years. In a study, taking semaglutide each week led to about 15% loss in body weight as compared to 2% for individuals taking a placebo. This study was carried out in 2022 and was a 2-year trial that studied individuals with obesity and no diabetes. Several countries have already approved the use of Wegovy for two years. However, if people stop taking the drug, they can regain the lost weight, in a year. On the other hand, another research in Louisiana found that consumption of the same dose of semaglutide only once a week for a period of four years can lead to a reduction in weight which is also maintained for the entire period. This study included more than 17,000 individuals across 41 countries who were obese but did not have diabetes or any other heart condition. Individuals taking semaglutide saw the weight loss continue up to week 65 and was also sustained throughout the trial and they lost on an average 10.2% of the body weight.

This establishes semaglutide as a solid weight loss drug which shows that weight loss can be sustained for about four years across different populations with obesity but no diabetes. However, semaglutide should always be a long-term approach and one should not expect immediate results. The weight loss will only be sustained as long as the drug is regularly consumed. Once you stop using it, the physiological process will start working and get the weight back up.

Is there a risk for heart-related conditions?

Expert Ozempic attorneys state, “Many are worried whether these drugs will lead to a heart condition. However, bringing an individual’s weight into a healthier range through these medicines will only help reduce any risk of heart-related conditions like strokes or heart attacks.” Research by a team at the University College London showed a relationship between weight loss and cardiovascular condition. These studies show that semaglutide helped achieve 20% weight reduction in some events. It showed that the drug had other actions that reduced cardiovascular risk in addition to reducing body fat. Hence, semaglutide can help reduce the risk of heart-related conditions among people who are slightly overweight and not obese. However, the study does not show semaglutide as a preventative treatment for heart conditions.

The research mentioned here shows that there is less risk of cardiovascular conditions from using the above-mentioned weight loss drugs. No matter your weight or health, it is advisable to always speak to a medical professional before you take any sort of drugs. These are popular weight loss drugs that are approved and easily available in the market but one must not assume they are suitable for their health and body. They should only be consumed when recommended by an experienced professional and they should be consumed in the recommended dosage only. In case of any reactions or health risks, head to the doctor and stop using the drug immediately.