WHAT IS SEMAGLUTIDE?

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) is a medicine used for weight loss in specific patients, and to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in type two diabetes patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite.

HOW DO I take semaglutide?

Wegovy and Ozempic are given as a subcutaneous injection once a week. Rybelsus is a tablet that you take once a day in the morning, 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medicines. You may eat, drink or take oral medicine 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus

SIDE EFFECTS & WARNINGS

Serious Side Effects of Semaglutide (Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • vision changes

  • unusual mood changes, thoughts about hurting yourself

  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out

  • signs of a thyroid tumor–swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath

  • symptoms of pancreatitis–severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea with or without vomiting fast heart rate

  • gallbladder problems–upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

  • low blood sugar–headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery

  • kidney problems–swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath

  • stomach flu symptoms–stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody)

Common Side Effects of Semaglutide:

  • low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes)

  • upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating

  • nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite

  • diarrhea, constipation

  • stomach flu symptoms

  • headache, dizziness, tiredness

    This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You Should Not Use Semaglutide if you are Allergic to it, or if you Have:

  • multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands)

  • a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer)

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment)

Tell Your Doctor if you Have Ever Had:

  • a stomach or intestinal disorder

  • kidney disease

  • eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy)

    In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

    Men and women should stop using semaglutide at least 2 months before you plan to get pregnant. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby.

    Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this Ozempic or Wegovy.

    You should not breastfeed while using Rybelsus.

    Semaglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

    Semaglutide pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)