A Revolutionary Weight Loss Medication
Wegovy / Semaglutide is a weight loss medication that has received approval from the FDA. It was developed by Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company renowned for creating treatments for type-2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk is known for its expertise in developing GLP-1 drugs, which are effective in managing insulin levels for individuals with type-2 diabetes. The company previously created diabetes medications like Ozempic and Rybelsus, both utilizing a molecule known as “semaglutide.” In overweight or obese diabetic patients, these medications were found to suppress appetite and promote significant weight loss. Consequently, Novo Nordisk decided to introduce this molecule in a higher dosage under a new brand name, Wegovy, specifically targeting weight loss.
How Does Wegovy / Semaglutide Work?
Wegovy operates by imitating the action of a hormone known as incretin, which your body naturally produces after meals. This hormone is responsible for signaling the sensation of fullness to your brain, effectively curbing the urge to continue eating. Additionally, Wegovy helps combat insulin resistance, which enhances the feeling of satiety and diminishes cravings for sugary or unhealthy foods. When combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, Wegovy has been demonstrated to possess impressive weight loss capabilities.
Expected Weight Loss with Wegovy / Semaglutide
Clinical studies have demonstrated that Wegovy can lead to a weight loss of approximately 16% over a 68-week period, with most of the weight loss occurring in the initial six months. By incorporating the MWLA diet and exercise program into your routine, you might experience even more substantial weight loss. It is essential to remember that any weight loss journey requires a commitment to lifestyle changes and the application of willpower. Nonetheless, Wegovy can significantly ease this process by enhancing your efforts.
What Are the Side Effects of Wegovy / Semaglutide?
Wegovy is generally well-tolerated, but it can cause some common side effects, particularly nausea and gastrointestinal issues. To help manage these, your doctor might recommend an anti-nausea medication while you’re on Wegovy. Additionally, there are rare but potentially serious side effects associated with Wegovy. Your healthcare provider will evaluate these risks by considering your medical and family history to determine if Wegovy / Semaglutide weight loss medication is suitable for you.
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- Do not use Wegovy® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome 2 (MEN 2)
- You have had a serious allergic reaction to Semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy®
- Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
- In studies with rodents, Wegovy® and medicines that work like Wegovy® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.
Before using Wegovy®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you:
- have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
- have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
- have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Wegovy® passes into your breast milk
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly.
What are the possible side effects of Wegovy/ Semaglutide Weight Loss Medication®?
Wegovy® may cause serious side effects, including:
- inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without vomiting. You may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
- gallbladder problems. Wegovy® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
- increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
- kidney problems (kidney failure). In people who have kidney problems, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems to get worse. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration
- serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
- change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy®
- increased heart rate. Wegovy® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
- depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
The most common side effects of Wegovy® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.