If you’re thinking about trying to lose weight, whether you’re concerned about your overall wellness or because your doctor has suggested it, you may be considering medication. After all, being overweight or obese can raise your risk of a whole host of health issues, according to research.
Or maybe you have type 2 diabetes and have struggled to keep your blood sugar in balance. And you’re well aware, per the Mayo Clinic, that the disease can cause wide-ranging health problems from moderate to life-threatening.
One breakthrough medication you may have heard of is semaglutide, which is helping many people with type 2 diabetes get their blood sugar under control. It can also reduce some of the health risks that come along with the disease. In addition, it’s been shown in research to give a range of people a significant weight loss boost—and to reduce cardiovascular risks even in those who don’t have diabetes.
In fact, a huge study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in overweight and obese people with preexisting cardiovascular disease, semaglutide lowered the risk of a heart event or death from heart disease by 20%.
Read More: Life On Semaglutide—Your Top 5 Questions, Answered
How semaglutide works
Inside your gut, your body naturally produces a hormone after you eat called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). Its job: to tell your pancreas to release insulin and block glucagon production to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range. It also sends an “okay, you’re full” signal to your brain.
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1. So in people with type 2 diabetes, the medication helps them manage their blood sugar. It also slows down the speed at which the stomach empties. This means you’ll feel full more quickly and for a longer time.
Combine that with the fact that it seems to quiet the “food noise” that many overweight and obese people experience in their minds, and it’s clear why the result is an often significant loss of weight.
But, as with any medication, there are possible side effects. We asked Shirley Jiang, MD, Chief Medical Officer for ReflexMD, to share the potential impact of semaglutide on the body—to help you gauge if it’s right for you and use it as safely and comfortably as possible.
Semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the weight loss drug Wegovy®—available today at 40% OFF.
The side effect factor
“The main side effects of taking semaglutide are GI-related,” Dr. Jiang explains. “Nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea—those are the main four.”
One study found that nausea was the most common of the four, affecting as many as 44% of patients. Other side effects may include headaches, hypoglycemia, and possibly injection site reactions—like rashes or allergies—but these are far less common.
To manage GI upset, you can start with a lower dose of semaglutide and then gradually increase it as your body gets used to it, suggests Dr. Jiang. It can also help to eat smaller, more frequent meals and fewer fatty, greasy, or spicy foods. For those who experience diarrhea or vomiting, it’s important to stay hydrated to avoid fluid loss and dehydration.
Most of the people in the study above reported that their GI discomfort was mild to moderate, and not long-lasting. “Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are usually worse when you’re just starting or increasing the dose,” says Dr. Jiang.
How long do semaglutide side effects last? They typically subside over time as you get used to the medication. “Constipation is something people might experience for longer—for a few months, if not longer,” she says.
There’s been concern among some people about whether semaglutide causes cancer. But the current research does not show those risks in humans. Still, “It’s been found to cause thyroid cancer in rats,” Dr. Jiang says. That’s why doctors are cautious when prescribing semaglutide.
“If you have a personal or family history of this type of cancer—medullary thyroid cancer—that’s a hard ‘no’ for starting this medication,” says Dr. Jiang.
What isn’t a side effect of semaglutide
There’s been some buzz online about side effects that aren’t actuallyassociated with semaglutide. One of the most common questions that pops up on Google is, “Does semaglutide cause hair loss?”
There’s no significant evidence of that. However, experts have seen that rapid weight loss can contribute to a loss of locks, Dr. Jiang points out. But it’s not linked to the medication itself. Losing weight quickly can alter the hair’s normal growth cycle because it can throw a person’s hormones out of whack and bring on nutritional deficiencies, found one study.
When to get help with semaglutide side effects
The side effects of semaglutide may be uncomfortable and disruptive to your day-to-day life at first. But many people experience them as relatively mild and brief. Just like with any medication, however, there might be situations where you need to seek a doctor’s care.
If the symptoms don’t resolve or get worse, Dr. Jiang explains, you should see a healthcare professional because it can lead to more serious problems.
“When you’re having uncontrollable vomiting, that can lead to dehydration,” she says. “If you haven’t had a bowel movement in a few days, that can lead to an obstruction. If you have really severe abdominal pain that spreads to your back, that could be a sign of pancreatitis.”
Bottom line: Knowing the potential side effects before taking semaglutide is critical. You can take that information into account as you decide whether it’s the right drug for you, and be armed with knowledge so you can keep an eye on how you’re feeling in the days ahead, and ask for help if needed.
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.
Read Next: The Ultimate Guide To Semaglutide
