The medication semaglutide has been in high demand over the past few years, thanks to promising research studies—as well as press coverage of celebrities such as Oprah, Kelly Clarkson, Chelsea Handler, and Charles Barkley, not to mention a host of social-media influencers.
According to statistics compiled by Pew Research Center, the combined sales for three brand-name weight-loss meds totaled approximately $21.1 billion in 2023. This was an 89% increase from the previous year. The nonpartisan research group also reports that 71% of semaglutide revenues were derived from the U.S. in 2022.
While these prescriptions continue to rise (chat with a ReflexMD Wellness Advisor now to find out if you qualify), many people don’t know much about the medication. So we’ve dug deep into the research to give you an overview of how semaglutide acts in the body, its possible benefits, and potential side effects.
How semaglutide works for weight loss
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) explains that semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs mimic the GLP-1 hormone that’s produced in the gastrointestinal system once food has been eaten to stimulate the release of insulin, which helps manage blood glucose levels.
As a bonus, GLP-1 also works with a region of the brain that helps to reduce hunger. It also provides a feeling of fullness. In fact, researchers at the Mayo Clinic discovered that administered GLP-1 can regulate appetite by triggering actions in both the brain and the gut. It directly affects hormones associated with satiety while also delaying gastric emptying.
“It works by slowing the motility in the stomach,” says Cathy Epps, PharmD. “So the reason you’re not hungry is because food is sitting in your stomach for a longer period of time.”
Related: Life On Semaglutide: Your Top 5 Questions, Answered
The FDA has approved oral and injectable semaglutide medications to lower blood sugar levels in adults who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The organization has also okayed it as a weight-loss aid for adults and children aged 12 and older who have been classified as either overweight or obese.
Contrary to what some people believe, semaglutide drugs are not a silver bullet for dropping unwanted pounds. (Check out these five essential facts about what you can realistically expect.) It’s important to note that GLP-1 agonists drugs are designed to work in conjunction with exercising regularly and following a healthy eating plan, the FDA points out.
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4 potential health boosts of semaglutide
Lowers blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels are stabilize, numerous health benefits can follow. These include a reduced risk of heart disease and fewer cravings. Semaglutide meds were originally prescribed to treat elevated blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. For that reason, lower hemoglobin A1C levels tops the list of benefits.
In fact, clinical trials found that GLP-1 agonists were superior to other antihyperglycemic drugs in many areas. Among them: improving glycemic control, reducing weight, lowering blood pressure, and boosting overall heart health without the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Boosts weight loss. Yes, there is proof beyond the before-and-after photos seen on Instagram and TikTok. A research article published in The American Journal of Cardiology analyzed data from randomized controlled trials of nearly 3,100 overweight or obese patients without type 2 diabetes. Approximately one-third of the volunteers on semaglutide experienced at least a 20% reduction in body weight. Compare that to only 2.2% of those on a placebo.
Overweight and obese participants taking semaglutide continued to shed pounds over 65 weeks. They also sustained the weight loss up to four years, according to a study published in the journal Nature Medicine. And at the 208-week mark, this drug was linked to a greater reduction of weight and waist circumference compared to the placebo group.
The authors also mentioned that “clinically meaningful weight loss” occurred in women and men of various body sizes and races.
Lessens your risk of multiple heart-related conditions. Going down a few pants sizes leads to better health outcomes, starting with overall heart benefits. Results from a six-month study found that obese adults who had been prescribed semaglutide continued to show improvements. This included a lower number on the scale as well as reduced blood pressure and A1C levels.
“There are massive benefits beyond the cosmetic reasons for weight loss,” explains Dr. Epps. “As a pharmacist, I feel people should not feel ashamed for using semaglutide because obesity is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in the U.S. It’s huge if someone can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.”
Research published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide meds can lower the risk of non-fatal heart attack and stroke by up to 20% in obese adults with preexisting cardiovascular disease. And another study published in the same journal discovered that heart failure patients treated with semaglutide showed a greater reduction in symptoms and weight. They also had improved physical abilities compared to those taking a placebo.
“It’s not a direct link in which taking the drug will automatically reduce the risk of heart disease,” continues Dr. Epps. “We look at some of the common risk factors for cardiovascular disease—genetics, smoking, inactivity, high lipid levels, diabetes, obesity. Semaglutide can help reduce some of these risk factors.”
Improves kidney health. A common cause of kidney failure is type 2 diabetes. So it’s understandable how semaglutide can lead to a decreased risk of kidney-related conditions. In one study, more than 3,500 patients living with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease were divided into two groups and prescribed either a placebo or semaglutide. The results showed that adults taking a GLP-1 were less likely to suffer from kidney-related complications. They also had a reduced risk of major cardiovascular events and risk of death from any cause.
Related: 5 Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Semaglutide
Possible side effects of semaglutide
While side effects vary from person to person, Dr. Epps says, the number one undesirable outcome from semaglutide is nausea.
“Because the food is sitting in your stomach, you’re feeling full but could also feel nauseous,” she explains. “And since the good microbes in the gut are going to town and making natural gas, bloating is another common side effect, along with reflux, regurgitation, and constipation.” Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur, according to MedlinePlus, a website from the National Institutes of Health.
Related: What You Should Know About Side Effects of Semaglutide
Ongoing constipation can become a critical problem and lead to a medical emergency, Dr. Epps points out. “It’s important to keep things moving in the gut and to stay regular,” she says.
Exercising consistently, eating foods high in insoluble fiber (including vegetables, whole grains, and wheat bran), and drinking water throughout the day can offer relief. Dr. Epps recommends over-the-counter products that either increase the bulk in stool (such as Metamucil) or soften stool (like MiraLAX). Prescription treatments can work as well, she adds.
Potential serious side effects from semaglutide that require immediate medical attention include:
- Vision changes
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fainting or dizziness
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Clay-colored stools
- Rash
- Swelling of the eyes, face, mouth, tongue or throat
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Pain in the upper stomach
- Pain that begins in the upper left or middle of the stomach which may spread to the back
If you think a weight loss medication like semaglutide might be right for you, chat with a ReflexMD Wellness Advisor now. Or take our short quiz to see if you qualify.