ABOUT SEMAGLUTIDE AND WEIGHT LOSS
The newest group of type 2 diabetes medications are the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist) group and a GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). Examples of branded injectable semaglutide products are Ozempic and Wegovy. The only current, as of March 2023, GIP is tirzepatide which has the brand name Mounjaro. These brand-named GLP-1/GIP medications are very expensive and have been in short supply for diabetics. Because of this and also due to their usefulness for weight loss, compounding pharmacies have stepped in to help with supply and cost issues. Carter MD Aesthetics has developed a good relationship with WeCare Pharmacy compounding specialists in Warrenton, VA to assist our patients in their effort to maintain a healthy weight.
Amazingly, the GLP-1 and GIP medications not only help lower blood sugar levels and thereby help control type 2 diabetes, but they have useful side effects such as improved lipid levels and lowering body weight. In fact there was an average 14.9 % loss of body weight after 68 weeks for the subjects involved in the Norvo Nordisk studies submitted to the FDA for Wegovy approval June 2021.
Semaglutide for weight loss is administered as a once weekly subcutaneous injection in the upper arm, abdomen, or thigh. Starting dose is 0.25 mg weekly for at least the first month. Slowly the dose is increased until one’s goal weight is achieved or unless obnoxious side effects prohibit reaching that objective. Most people can achieve their goal.
Weight loss occurs due to lessening of appetite and slowing of stomach emptying. In this way, semaglutide mimics the effect of the GLP-1 group of incretin hormones released by our small intestine and colon whenever we eat food.
The only two absolute reasons why a person cannot be considered for semaglutide are either a personal or family history of medullary (C-cell) thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia type-2. Both of these conditions are rare. Semaglutide has not yet been associated with any type of human cancer. It was infrequently associated with thyroid cancer in preclinical rodent studies at high doses.
If you have type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 30 (or BMI of 27 along with an associated medical condition) then you may qualify for insurance provided brand named Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Mounjaro. If you do not have diabetes but have a BMI of at least 24.5, and you have failed reasonable efforts of healthy diet and exercise, then we may be able to help you with our medical approach combining a thoughtful lifestyle and semaglutide injections. The eventual goal would be to be able to reduce or discontinue the semaglutide, maintain the healthy lifestyle, and sustain your goal weight indefinitely.
William A. Carter
Carter MD Aesthetics