Coastal Regional Health & Wellness

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 injectable weight loss medication that has revolutionized weight loss management. It is prescribed by medical providers and works by encouraging the pancreas to release more insulin when your blood sugars are high and helps move this sugar into your tissue and organs for energy. By using sugars more effectively in your body, you can lose the excess weight that has been plaguing you and lower your risk factors for many health issues.  

Ozempic and Wegovy are different brand names for the same injectable drug, Semaglutide.  At about $1,000 per month, either of these brand-name drugs can be costly if you have to pay for them out-of-pocket because of a denial from your insurance company or you simply do not have insurance coverage.

Thankfully for such patients, there is an option to use compounded Semaglutide.  Through an FDA inspected 503B compounding pharmacy such as our partner pharmacy, Semaglutide can be manufactured in large batches to supply healthcare facilities.  Each one of these batches is tested for stability and sterility and all of their suppliers of raw materials must be vetted.  The end result is that these larger batches result in lower manufacturing costs and the savings are then passed along to you!
 

Benefits of Semaglutide

Achieving a healthy body weight is crucial to lowering your risk for many medical concerns, and it can help you look and feel your best. When Semaglutide injections are used in combination with moderate diet and exercise, it has been proven to be effective for weight loss without the need for invasive and expensive surgeries.
 

Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which are associated with complications such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Semaglutide weight loss injections can assist patients with managing their weight, potentially preventing these serious conditions.
 

Some of the benefits of Semaglutide include:
 

• Better sleep

• Better mobility and less pain that is associated with excess weight

• Improved self-esteem and mood

• More energy for activities you love

• May lower risk of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease
   

Am I a Candidate for Semaglutide?

For patients who want to manage weight loss, Semaglutide is typically indicated for those with a BMI higher than 27.  However, Dr. Grant utilizes an individualized assessment approach that considers a patient's overall health, medical history, and lifestyle factors when determining if anti-obesity medications are appropriate, even though BMI may fall slightly below the standard criteria.  Percentage of body fat using the waist-to-height ratio has been determined to be a better indicator of obesity than BMI. 

Patients who have type 1 diabetes, history of medullary thyroid cancer, history of gallbladder disease, history of pancreatitis, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or have any allergies to the ingredients should not take Semaglutide. It is important to disclose your complete medical history and any medications to Dr. Grant to prevent any complications.
 

Taking Semaglutide

Semaglutide will typically be administered as weekly injections just under the skin.  The dosage may be increased as needed after four weeks and will vary based on your individual needs. We will provide you with detailed instructions, and it is important to follow these to achieve results safely and effectively.
 

Results and Possible Side-Effects

As with any medication, there may be some side effects that can include headache, abdominal pain, injection site reactions, and gastrointestinal upset. These typically subside and can be managed with over-the-counter relief aids, but you should inform Dr. Grant of any adverse side-effects that you experience. Many patients will see weight loss within the first several weeks of use, and optimal results are usually obtained by week 28.