What are the effects of low-dose Semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy?

From the Guidelines

Low-dose Semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy is associated with significant weight loss and improvement in weight-related comorbidities, and its use is recommended for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications. The American Gastroenterological Association recommends adding pharmacological agents, such as semaglutide, to lifestyle interventions for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications who have had an inadequate response to lifestyle interventions alone 1. Semaglutide has been shown to reduce weight and improve weight-related comorbidities, and its use is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes 1.

The standard treatment with semaglutide begins with a dose of 0.25 mg once weekly, increasing to 0.5 mg weekly, with potential further increases to 1 mg or 2 mg weekly if needed for glycemic control or weight management. The medication works by mimicking GLP-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite, and requires sufficient concentration in the bloodstream to properly activate these pathways.

Some key points to consider when using semaglutide for weight management include:

• The importance of lifestyle modifications, including a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity, in conjunction with semaglutide therapy
• The need for gradual dose titration to minimize adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting
• The potential for long-term use to maintain weight loss and improve weight-related comorbidities
• The association between semaglutide use and a lower risk of cardiovascular events in adults with overweight or obesity without diabetes 1.

Overall, the use of low-dose semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy, as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications, is a recommended approach for adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related complications, and its benefits in terms of weight loss and improvement in weight-related comorbidities, as well as its potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, make it a valuable treatment option 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

What are the possible side effects of OZEMPIC OZEMPIC may cause serious side effects, including: • inflammation of your pancreas(pancreatitis). • changes in vision. • low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). • kidney problems (kidney failure) • serious allergic reactions The most common side effects of OZEMPIC may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach (abdominal) pain and constipation.

The effects of low-dose Semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy may include serious side effects such as:

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Changes in vision
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Kidney problems (kidney failure)
• Serious allergic reactions And common side effects such as:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Constipation 2

From the Research

Effects of Low-Dose Semaglutide (Ozempic) Therapy

The effects of low-dose Semaglutide (Ozempic) therapy have been studied in several clinical trials. The key findings are:

• Significant and sustained weight loss, with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors compared to placebo 3, 4, 5
• Greater improvement in participant-reported physical functioning from baseline compared to placebo 3
• Common adverse events include gastrointestinal events, which are typically transient and mild-to-moderate in severity 3, 4, 6, 5

Efficacy of Semaglutide for Weight Management

The efficacy of semaglutide for weight management has been demonstrated in several studies, including:

• The STEP program, which showed that semaglutide 2.4 mg achieved significant and sustained weight loss, together with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors compared to placebo 4, 5
• The SUSTAIN FORTE trial, which found that semaglutide 2.0 mg was superior to 1.0 mg in reducing HbA1c, with additional bodyweight loss and a similar safety profile 6

Safety Profile of Semaglutide

The safety profile of semaglutide has been consistent across trials, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal events, such as nausea and diarrhea 3, 4, 6, 5

• These events are typically transient and mild-to-moderate in severity, and may subside with time 3, 4
• Serious adverse events have been reported, but are similar between treatment groups 6

Comparison of Different Doses of Semaglutide

Different doses of semaglutide have been compared in clinical trials, including:

• The SUSTAIN FORTE trial, which compared semaglutide 2.0 mg to 1.0 mg, and found that the higher dose was superior in reducing HbA1c, with additional bodyweight loss and a similar safety profile 6
• The STEP program, which used a dose of 2.4 mg, and found significant and sustained weight loss, together with improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors compared to placebo 4, 5