Description
Medical uses
Semaglutide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes.
The higher-dose formulation of semaglutide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for long-term weight management in adults with obesity (initial body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2) or who are overweight (initial BMI ≥ 27 kg/m2) and have at least one weight-related comorbidity.
In March 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the indication for semaglutide (Wegovy), in combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in obese or overweight adults with cardiovascular disease.
Side effects
Possible adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion/heartburn, dizziness, abdominal distension, belching, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It has in the past been suspected to cause pancreatitis, and can cause gastroparesis, and bowel obstruction. Among people who were prescribed a GLP-1, 0.1% were diagnosed with gastroparesis at least six months later, which equates to a 52% increased risk of being diagnosed with gastroparesis while on a GLP-1 medication. A 2019 meta-analysis did not indicate a significantly elevated risk of acute pancreatitis. According to the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS), more than 150 patients taking Ozempic reported ileus or intestinal obstructions after taking the medication.
Reviews
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