From the Guidelines
Semaglutide is a highly effective medication for weight management and should be considered as a first-line treatment for adults with obesity, due to its significant weight loss benefits and improvement in weight-related comorbidities, as demonstrated in the STEP trials 1. The use of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, has been extensively studied in recent years, particularly in the context of obesity management. According to a 2023 review published in JAMA 1, semaglutide has been shown to produce significant weight loss in adults with obesity, with a mean weight loss of 14.9% and 16.0% in the STEP 1 and STEP 3 trials, respectively. Key benefits of semaglutide include:
- Significant weight loss, with a mean weight loss of 14.9% and 16.0% in the STEP 1 and STEP 3 trials, respectively 1
- Improvement in weight-related comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease risk factors 1
- Lower rates of gastrointestinal adverse events compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as liraglutide 1
- Potential to decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes, as demonstrated in a meta-analysis 1 It is essential to note that semaglutide should be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity, to achieve optimal results. Additionally, patients should be monitored regularly by a healthcare provider while using this medication, particularly to assess for potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Some important considerations for the use of semaglutide include:
- Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing to minimize side effects
- Combining with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, for optimal results
- Regular monitoring by a healthcare provider to assess for potential side effects and adjust treatment as needed
- Avoiding use in patients with a history of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, or pancreatitis 1
From the FDA Drug Label
OZEMPIC is a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist indicated as: • an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (1). • to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease (1).
The use of Semaglutide is as an adjunct to diet and exercise to:
- Improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease 2
From the Research
Use of Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) used for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adults. The key uses of semaglutide include:
- Glycaemic management in adults with T2D 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Reduction of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels 3, 4, 6, 7
- Body weight reduction in people with uncontrolled T2D 3, 4, 6, 7
Patient Populations
Semaglutide may be beneficial for the following patient populations:
- Patients with inadequate glycemic control taking one or more oral glucose-lowering medication 5
- Patients for whom weight loss would be beneficial 5
- Patients at risk of hypoglycemia 5
- Patients who would historically have been considered for treatment with a subcutaneous GLP-1RA 5
- Patients receiving basal insulin who require treatment intensification 5
Administration and Safety
- Oral semaglutide should be taken on an empty stomach with up to 4 fl oz/120 mL of water, and patients should wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications 5
- Gradual dose escalation is recommended to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal adverse events 5
- Semaglutide has a safety profile consistent with subcutaneous GLP-1RAs, but may induce a higher risk of gastrointestinal disorders 3, 6