From the Guidelines
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the bariatric shot, specifically a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 to regulate appetite and food intake. The medication is administered as a subcutaneous injection, usually once weekly, using a pre-filled pen device 1.
Key Points
- Semaglutide slows gastric emptying, helping patients feel fuller longer after eating, and reduces appetite by directly affecting the appetite control centers in the brain 1.
- Typical dosing for weight management starts at a lower dose (often 0.25 mg weekly) and gradually increases over several weeks to the therapeutic dose (typically 2.4 mg weekly for Wegovy), allowing the body to adjust to the medication and minimize side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea 1.
- Patients should be aware that semaglutide is intended for long-term use alongside lifestyle modifications including diet and exercise, as weight regain commonly occurs if the medication is discontinued 1.
- The medication has been shown to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes 1.
Side Effects and Considerations
- Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distension, eructation, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease 1.
- Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2, and pancreatitis 1.
- Caution should be used in patients with a history of pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, or suicidal ideation and behavior 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Active Ingredient: semaglutide Inactive Ingredients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injection The active ingredient in the bariatric shot, specifically semaglutide, is semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist 2.
- The inactive ingredients are:
- disodium phosphate dihydrate
- propylene glycol
- phenol
- water for injection
From the Research
Bariatric Shot Composition
- The active ingredient in the bariatric shot is semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Semaglutide is administered via a weekly 2.4-mg subcutaneous injection 3, 5, 6, 7.
Mechanism of Action
- Semaglutide works by activating GLP-1 receptors, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels and promote weight loss 3, 4, 5.
- The medication has been shown to be effective in reducing body weight and improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity 3, 4, 5, 6.
Efficacy and Safety
- Clinical trials have demonstrated that semaglutide is a safe and effective treatment for weight loss, with significant reductions in body weight and improvements in weight-related complications 3, 5, 6.
- The medication has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of obesity and is recommended as a first-line therapy for weight management in patients with a BMI of 30 or higher 3, 5.