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Semaglutide medication works with multiple systems within your body to result in weight loss. By mimicking the effects of a hormone called GLP-1, Semaglutide sends signals to your brain that communicate satiety (fullness) and reduced appetite.  In your digestive system, Semaglutide reduces your feelings of hunger and speeds up when you feel full as you are eating.  Semaglutide reduces fat production in the liver.  In the pancreas, Semaglutide improves blood sugar management, both by causing a decrease in blood sugar and by decreasing your body’s own production of blood sugar.  

From medical studies, the weight loss patients observed with Semaglutide is 11-14%. While these results outperform other approved anti-obesity medications, research has found that when patients stop using Semaglutide, weight loss rebound occurs. Ultimately, it is important that long-term changes in diet and activity are established during the course of Semaglutide treatment to maintain the weight loss long term.

There is no time restriction on Semaglutide. You can take this medication for as long as it is beneficial to you to do so.

It's the same compound. Wegovy and Ozempic are brand names for Semaglutide

The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.These side effects can be dose-dependent, meaning that as your dosage of medication increases, so does the possibility of experiencing side effects.

Other side effects include constipation, headache, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, eructation(burping), flatulence, dyspepsia (upset stomach), and injection site reaction.

In rare instances, patients may experience gallstones, liver, pancreas, or kidney damage

Adjusting your diet to avoid fried, greasy or sweet foods is recommended while on Semaglutide. Tidewater Weight Loss advocates for choosing smaller, low-fat meals that include plenty of protein. Eating your meals and snacks slowly is also beneficial.

Adding a daily multi-vitamin or nutritional supplement(such as AG1 or Bloom) is recommended.

Maintaining hydrationis very important to reducing the likelihood of headaches, dizziness and constipation. Drink plenty of water as well as electrolyte-enhanced water or drinks

Patients with Type 1 diabetes, a history of pancreatitis are not good candidates for using Semaglutide. Semaglutide should not be used by patients with a history of thyroid problems or a personal history or family history of thyroid tumors or cancer. Semaglutide should not be used by patients with a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type II (MEN 2).

Patients under the age of 18 or women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant arenot recommended for this medication.

Patients who will require anesthesia in the near future or whose medications include digestion-slowing side-effects, such as opiates, should not take Semaglutide.

Please refrigerate your medication to maintain a constant temperature. Do not freeze!

Your medications are stable at room temperatures and higher (up 90 degrees) for up to three weeks. This means that the medication maintains its quality and is safe to take. We provide your medications with ice packs to offset extreme temperature changes on your ride home, but it is a preventative measure.

A: Our office is available during business hours for a virtual call or you for you to come in person to go over how to administer your medication properly. In addition, we have developed a written step-by-step guide.

You may always choose to visit the office for a doctor or nurse to administer your weekly injections.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality provides guidance on how to properly dispose of medical sharps in your home. They recommend dedicating an empty hard plastic container, such as a laundry or dishwasher detergent jug, to serve as the receptacle for used sharps. It should be labeled "Sharps - Do Not Recycle" and thrown away once ¾ full into your household garbage. Syringes should never be reused.

Every month your medication may increase. Tidewater Weight Loss follows FDA guidelines for setting your dosing schedule. The FDA guideline dosing schedule for semaglutide is as follows:0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg. For tirzepatide, the FDA guideline is as follows: 2.5mg, 5mg,7.5mg, then 10mg. Following the FDA standards, doctor will tailor your dose schedule based on your weight loss progress and to minimize any negative side effects. It is not possible to skip ahead in your dosage schedule. However, the doctor can maintain you at the same dose or decrease your dose at any time.

Our practice requires you to pick up your medication in person to monitor your health and weight loss progress. By having a monthly check-in with the doctor or nurse, you can take advantage of an InBody scan and have your questions answered.

If you are traveling in the United States, you can arrange for your medications to be shipped to your temporary address for a small fee and applicable shipping charges. If you would like to get your medication early to accommodate your schedule, please call the office and we will adjust your billing and prepare it accordingly.

You are not locked into a program contract or a time commitment with Tidewater WeightLoss. If you decide to cancel, simply call or email the office and we will cancel your medication order.