Medical Weight Loss in Albuquerque, NM

If you’ve ever tried to lose a significant amount of weight, you know it’s never quite as simple as the antiquated “calories in, calories out” advice. In reality, your energy level, appetite, stressors, hormones, metabolism, and other factors influence how easy or difficult it is to lose excess body fat. When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough, semaglutide injections overseen by a medical professional could help you achieve a healthy weight.

What Is Semaglutide?

Sold under the brand names Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Rybelsus®, semaglutide is a prescription medication for type 2 diabetes and long-term weight management. Available in injectable and tablet form, this drug works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) which the body naturally produces to regulate hunger and blood sugar levels.

Semaglutide helps your body produce more insulin when your blood sugar levels are too high. It also works in the GI tract by slowing gastric motility, which means food stays in your stomach longer and prolongs the feeling of fullness. For that reason, it can be a great weight loss aid.

Can I Take Semaglutide if I Am Not Diabetic?

Semaglutide was developed as an antidiabetic medication, but you don’t need to have type 2 diabetes to experience the benefits. A randomized controlled trial from 2021 found semaglutide was an effective weight loss drug for overweight and obese non-diabetic adults. It may also lower your risk of obesity-related conditions like heart attack and stroke.

How Do I Use Semaglutide for Weight Loss?

Semaglutide can be administered subcutaneously or orally. The dose will vary depending on the brand and the individual. Typically, adults taking Wegovy for chronic weight management inject 2.4 mg once weekly. However, adjustments can be made as needed under medical guidance.

What Should I Do if I Forget a Dose of Semaglutide?

While the following recommendations may be helpful, you should ask your provider for specific instructions. If you miss an Ozempic injection, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, you should skip the dose if it’s been more than five days since you missed the injection. If you’re using Wegovy, you can take the missed dose as soon as possible as long as your next dose is more than two days away. Otherwise, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. You shouldn’t double your injections to make up for a missed one.

Missing a dose of Rybelsus works differently. Rather than taking the missed dose as soon as possible, you should skip it and take the next tablet when you usually would. If you’re consistently missing oral doses of semaglutide, it could help to switch to an injectable form.

What Side Effects Can This Medication Cause?

Semaglutide is a safe and effective medication for many people struggling with weight loss or type 2 diabetes management. However, potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heartburn, constipation, or burping.

In rare cases, semaglutide can cause serious side effects, some of which may require medical attention. That said, adverse reactions are usually limited to mild gastrointestinal upset.

Tirzepatide 

Tirzepatide belongs to a clasS of drugs called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogs with a gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). Drugs with this combination of activity increase insulin levels when needed and reduce the unnecessary amounts of glucose that are produced by the liver.

The benefits include reducing the speed at which the stomach digests and empties (delayed gastric emptying), appetite reduction, helping lose weight, decreased cholesterol and blood pressure. Managing blood sugar helps to lose weight, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise plan.

Tirzepatide prompts your pancreas to produce more insulin when blood glucose levels are high. At higher doses, it acts on centers in the brain and suppresses appetite. All these functions result in weight loss.

Similar to Semaglutide but each client, depending on health and other variables, may work with one better than the other, this is why we recommend a consulation.

CONTRAINDICATED in patients with a history of thyroid cancer or Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and acute or chronic pancreatitis.
USE CAUTION in patients with gastrointestinal problems or taking medications that slow the gut or have gastroparesis. There is also a risk of bowel obstruction that is at an even higher risk in patients already prone to gastrointestinal issues.

Contact Us About Medical Weight Loss

If you’re interested in semaglutide or Tirzepatide to help with weight loss, contact our office. Our provider can determine if it’s a good match for you.

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.01 Get To Know Your Provider.

.02  Help her understand you and your goals.

.03  Learn about our services and specialties.

The Patient Portal link above allows our patients to fill out paperwork ahead of time, look at what you have spent, and also what services you currently have. In order to access the Patient Portal, you must first be seen by our practice to receive the login information. If you are experiencing any issues when trying to access the Patient Portal, please call our practice.

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