September 5, 2025
Semaglutide tends to be a strong fit for patients who: Have a weight loss goal in the 1015% range Have a BMI of 30 or higher, or BMI of 27+ with a related health condition such as elevated blood sugar, high blood pressure, or metabolic dysfunction Have struggled to lose or maintain weight through diet and exercise alone Are not candidates for Tirzepatide due to budget, GI sensitivity, or clinical history Have no personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome Are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding Semaglutide may not be appropriate with a history of: Pancreatitis MEN syndromes (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia) GERD or significant acid reflux Severe constipation or GI motility disorders A previous adverse reaction to semaglutide or GLP-1 medications Active GI conditions that may be worsened by slowed gastric emptying What is Semaglutide
doi:10.1001/jamaoto.2024.4852 Written by Dr
Common side effects across all semaglutide products include: Nausea Stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation Vomiting Bloating Loss of appetite Low blood sugar Fatigue Injection site reactions (Wegovy and Ozempic) Headache Cold or flu-like symptoms Dizziness Serious side effects, though rare, may include: Allergic reactions (hives, facial/throat swelling, shortness of breath) Thyroid tumors (MTC or MEN 2): lump in neck, hoarseness, difficulty breathing or swallowing Pancreatitis: severe upper abdominal pain radiating to the back, increased heart rate, nausea Diabetic retinopathy complications: vision changes Severe hypoglycemia: sweating, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, rapid heartbeat Kidney problems: decreased urination, thirst, dry skin Gallbladder issues: fever, claycolored stools, upper abdominal pain These are not all possible side effects

These approaches require further testing for more complex research questions such as assessment of meaningful treatment benefit or meaningful within-patient change for COAs
At this dose level, most people begin experiencing meaningful appetite suppression and weight loss