Semaglutide Treatment Specialist in Laurel MD, Annandale VA, and Honolulu HI

Patients with type two diabetes can take semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) to lose weight, lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. The effects of semaglutide are to increase insulin release, reduce glucagon release, delay gastric emptying, and reduce appetite.

To supplement a diet and exercise program, semaglutide injections (Ozempic) is used in adults with type 2 diabetes when other medications failed to control blood sugar levels properly (type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not use insulin normally and therefore cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). In addition, the semaglutide injection (Ozempic) reduces the risk of stroke, heart attack, and death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Neither type 1 diabetes nor diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that can occur if high blood sugar is not treated) is treated with it. When treating people with diabetes who need insulin, semaglutide injections are not used instead of insulin. In overweight adults with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol, semaglutide injection (Wegovy) is used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise program to lose weight. The medication class that the semaglutide injection belongs to is known as incretin mimics. When blood sugar levels are high, it helps the pancreas release insulin at the right time. In order to use sugar for energy, insulin helps move it from the blood to other tissues of the body. The injection of semaglutide also slows the movement of food through the stomach, which may lead to weight loss and a decrease in appetite.
 
High blood sugar and diabetes can lead to serious and life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney problems, and eye problems. Managing diabetes and improving your health may be achieved through medication(s), lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regular blood sugar checks. Using this therapy may also reduce your risk of a heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; reduced sexual ability in both men and women), eye problems, such as changes or loss of vision, or gum disease associated with diabetes. Diabetic management will be discussed with you by your doctor and other healthcare providers.

According to the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity (STEP) 1 study, once-weekly semaglutide combined with lifestyle management led to significant weight loss in obese people. Researchers found that 86.4% of adults who took semaglutide were able to lose at least 5% of their baseline body weight during the trial, compared with only 31.5% who only followed lifestyle interventions.
 
Injections of semaglutide are used to control diabetes and lose weight, but they are not a cure. Even if you start to feel well, continue to use semaglutide. You should not stop using semaglutide injections without consulting your doctor first.

Injections of semaglutide are administered subcutaneously (under the skin) as a solution (liquid). A weekly injection is usually administered without regard to meals. Every week, use semaglutide injections at any time of the day on the same day. If it has been more than two days (48 hours) since your last dose of semaglutide, you may change the day on which you take it. You should follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and you should ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand anything about semaglutide.
 
How long you remain on semaglutide will depend on how well you are responding to the medication. Patients begin on a low dosage and after 4 weeks, your doctor will probably increase your dose of the semaglutide injection. If your body responds well to the medication, your doctor may increase your dose again after another 4 weeks. Each patient’s response and needs will be closely monitored to determine how semaglutide can best help them.
 
Semaglutide is available at the Wellness NPs so book your appointment with us. We serve patients from Laurel MD, Maryland City MD, South Laurel MD, Ammendale MD, Savage MD, Annandale VA, Lincolnia VA, Alexandria VA, Lake Barcroft VA, North Springfield VA, Honolulu HI, Sand Island HI, Ala Moana HI, Palama HI, Moiliili HI, and surrounding areas.