Semaglutide
Reset your appetite, transform your health
About Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes and later approved for chronic weight management. It works with your body's own appetite-regulating hormones to help you feel full sooner, stay full longer, and reduce food noise. Most patients take it as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection, gradually titrating up over several months. Compounded semaglutide is prescribed off-label for patients who qualify and is used alongside lifestyle changes for the most durable results.
Common reasons patients ask about semaglutide:
- Reduced appetite and fewer cravings between meals
- Steady, sustainable weight loss alongside lifestyle changes
- Better blood sugar control and improved metabolic markers
- Less food preoccupation, often described as quieter 'food noise'
Data
What the studies show
Semaglutide has been studied in tens of thousands of patients across the STEP trials (weight management), SUSTAIN trials (type 2 diabetes), and the SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial. Across these programs, semaglutide has consistently shown clinically meaningful weight loss, improved glycemic control, and — in patients with established cardiovascular disease — a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events.
~15%
Average body weight reduction at 68 weeks on semaglutide 2.4 mg in STEP 1
20%
Relative reduction in major cardiovascular events in SELECT (patients with established CVD and overweight/obesity)
68 wks
Pivotal STEP 1 trial duration showing sustained weight loss vs. placebo
How it works
Regulates appetite and gastric emptying
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a natural hormone that helps regulate appetite, insulin release, and the speed at which your stomach empties. By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain and gut, it shifts the signals that drive hunger and satiety.
- 1
Signals fullness sooner
Activates receptors in the brain that govern appetite, so meals feel satisfying with smaller portions.
- 2
Slows gastric emptying
Food stays in the stomach longer, which extends the feeling of fullness between meals.
- 3
Supports blood sugar balance
Stimulates insulin release when glucose is high and reduces glucagon, helping stabilize energy throughout the day.
Eligibility
Who semaglutide is for
Generally a good fit for
- Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or 27+ with a weight-related health condition
- People who have tried lifestyle changes alone without lasting results
- Patients ready to commit to a structured, monitored treatment plan
- Adults with type 2 diabetes seeking better glycemic control
Not appropriate for
- People who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2
- History of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease such as gastroparesis
- Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any inactive ingredients
Calculate your BMI
A starting point your provider considers alongside your full health profile.
BMI is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. Your provider will review your full health profile during the intake to determine eligibility.
Your BMI
—
Journey
What to expect & when
Weeks 1–4
- Smaller appetite and earlier fullness
- Possible mild nausea, bloating, or constipation as your body adjusts
- Modest early weight loss for some, others see it begin later
Weeks 5–12
- Cravings and 'food noise' often quiet down
- Steady weight loss for most patients as dose titrates upward
- Side effects typically ease as your body adapts
Months 3+
- Continued weight loss for many through month 9–12
- Improvements in energy, sleep, and metabolic labs are common
- Maintenance dosing is personalized once goals are reached
Ongoing
- Continued monitoring, dose adjustments, and cycling decisions guided by your PreventiveMD provider
Side effects
Safety & side effects
Most side effects from semaglutide are gastrointestinal and tend to be mildest at lower doses or when titration is paced slowly. Serious risks are uncommon but important to recognize early.
Common
- Nausea, especially in the first few weeks
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Bloating, reflux, or burping
- Mild fatigue or headache
- Decreased appetite (expected, but can feel intense)
Less common but serious
- Pancreatitis — severe, persistent abdominal pain that may radiate to the back
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
- Kidney injury, often linked to dehydration from prolonged vomiting or diarrhea
- Possible thyroid C-cell tumors (seen in rodent studies; human risk unknown)
If you have questions about whether semaglutide is right for you, your PreventiveMD provider will review your full health history once you get started.
Dosing
How to take semaglutide
Typically titrated from 0.25 mg weekly to a target dose of up to 2.4 mg weekly over roughly 16 weeks, with dose increases every four weeks as tolerated. Specific dose is set by your provider based on goals and tolerance.
How to inject
- 1Wash your hands thoroughly.
- 2Choose an injection site your provider recommended, rotating to a different spot than your last injection.
- 3Clean the site with an alcohol wipe and let it dry completely, then inject as instructed.
- 4Place the used needle and syringe in your sharps container.
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, hives or a widespread rash, dizziness or fainting, or a rapid heartbeat. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Pricing
Transparent pricing, no surprises
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FAQs
In case you were wondering
Most people notice reduced appetite within the first two to four weeks. Visible weight loss often begins by week 4–8 and continues steadily through month 6 or beyond. Results vary based on your starting point, dose, and lifestyle.
Semaglutide treats the biology of appetite while you take it. When patients stop without a maintenance plan, some regain is common — which is why we work with you on lifestyle habits and a long-term plan.
Yes. Your provider will review baseline labs (commonly metabolic panel, A1C, lipids, and others as indicated) to confirm semaglutide is appropriate and to track progress.
If it has been fewer than 5 days, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If more than 5 days have passed, skip it and resume your normal schedule. Never double up.
Alcohol is not directly contraindicated, but it can worsen nausea, dehydration, and low blood sugar — and it stalls weight loss. Most patients find they tolerate much less than they used to.
Our content is reviewed by our medical team and draws from peer-reviewed clinical research, FDA prescribing information, and recognized clinical guidelines. The primary sources cited on this page:
- [TODO: Pivotal clinical trial citation for semaglutide]
[TODO: Authors, journal, year (DOI when available)]
- [TODO: Mechanism of action / review article]
[TODO: Authors, journal, year (DOI when available)]
- [TODO: FDA prescribing information / regulatory source]
- [TODO: Clinical society guideline or consensus statement]
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