Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
To qualify for semaglutide injections, there are several factors physicians consider:
- A1C levels - Semaglutide is approved for adults with type 2 diabetes who have an A1C of 7% or higher. A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Higher A1C levels indicate poorer blood sugar control.
- Weight - Semaglutide can be prescribed specifically for chronic weight management for adults with an initial BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity) or 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol.
- Other medications - Your doctor will evaluate if you have tried other medications to manage blood sugar and weight and have not reached treatment goals on those other medications.
- Medical history - Your physician will thoroughly review your full medical history, including any conditions or medications that could impact treatment with semaglutide. Certain gastrointestinal conditions may preclude usage.
The injection regimen for semaglutide is:
- Initially 0.25 mg injected under the skin once weekly for 4 weeks
- Then increased to 0.5 mg once weekly for at least 4 weeks
- Then increased to 1 mg once weekly for ongoing maintenance
- Doses higher than 1 mg per week are not recommended
Monitoring under a physician's care is critical when taking semaglutide injections. Follow-up visits are needed to:
- Evaluate A1C, weight loss progress, and possible side effects
- Check for risks like diabetic retinopathy complications before and during treatment
- Monitor nutritional intake while appetite is decreased to prevent problematic nutritional deficiencies
Potential side effects to discuss with your doctor:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - usually improves over time
- Hypoglycemia - with insulin and sulfonylurea drugs
- Kidney problems
- Pancreatitis
- Diabetic retinopathy complications
- Injection site reactions
- Allergic reactions
If interested in exploring semaglutide injections for diabetes or weight management, contact Balance Hormone Clinic to determine if you may qualify. Our compassionate medical team specializes in cutting-edge hormonal therapies to help patients achieve transformative results. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.