Frequently Asked Questions
When starting a medicine or even considering taking a medicine you are bound to have questions. While your health care provider is always the best source for answers, you may also find some help below.
Most Popular Questions
How quickly can I expect to lose the weight?
There is no set time for you to begin seeing results because people respond to medicine differently. You will most likely start to see some degree of weight loss quickly even within days. This is a direct result of the desire to take in fewer total calories per day of food. The first 1 to 2 weeks you may see more rapid loss of weight because initially, you tend to lose extra water weight as well. After the initial loss of water weight, the rate of weight loss will become slower and steadier. The rate of weight loss at this point is related to the amount of reduction in daily calories.
How much weight can I lose?
Results do vary, but in a 68-week medical study of 1,961 adults living with obesity or excess weight with a related medical problem, adults lost ~35 lbs (or ~15% body weight). People taking placebo lost an average of 6 lbs (or ~2.5% body weight). The average starting weight for both groups was ~232 lbs.
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity; Wilding et al. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002.
Research Articles:
FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014. US Food and Drug Administration.
FDA Approves Once-Weekly Wegovy injection for the Treatment of Obesity in Teens Aged 12 Years and Older. Drugs.com.
Weight Loss Outcomes Associated With Semaglutide Treatment for Patients With Overweight or Obesity. Wissam Ghusn, MD1; Alan De la Rosa, MD1; Daniel Sacoto, MD1; et al. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. John P H Wilding, Rachel L Batterham , et al. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002
Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Xueqin Gao, Xiaoli Hua, Xu Wang, et al. Pharmacol., 14 September 2022, Sec. Drugs Outcomes Research and Policies. Volume 13 – 2022
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Steven P. Marso, M.D., Stephen C. Bain, M.D, et al. November 10, 2016, N Engl J Med 2016; 375:1834-1844, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1607141
Are there any side effects?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal. Up to 7% of patients have reported complaints such as abdominal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. If any of these symptoms are bothersome, most are easily treated without having to discontinue your weight loss program. Fatigue and headache have also been reported. Any new or concerning side effects after starting this or any other medication should be discussed either with one of our providers or with your primary care physician.
Can I take it at any time of the day?
Yes, it’s recommended that you take it on the same day every week at the most convenient time for you.
Can I change the day I take it?
You can change the day of the week you take it as long as your last dose was given 2 or more days before.
How do I take this medicine?
Semaglutide is a once-a-week “subcutaneous” injection given by a tiny insulin needle. Subcutaneous means “under the skin.” The practically painless injection will be quite easy for you to learn how to do it yourself or enlist the help of a friend or loved one. We are happy to provide any necessary training you may need.