Your Top 5 Questions About Semaglutide Medications, Answered

Patients about to start weight-loss treatment have all sorts of questions. Their lists of inquiries can be especially long and varied when it comes to GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), says Dr. Tina Wu, Sunrise’s Medical Lead. With so much online and offline discussion surrounding these medications, many of Dr. Wu’s patients have done at least some research on their own but are still looking to their doctor to clarify points of confusion, separate rumor from fact, and generally provide an authoritative perspective.

We asked Dr. Wu to share — and answer — the top five questions she hears from patients about semaglutide. 

Doctor-led & Individualized
GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication
Take the Quiz

Though some information and advice applies to all medications in or adjacent to the GLP-1 family, other aspects of treatment are specific to a singular medication or a subset of GLP-1 drugs. The advice in this article pertains to weekly injectable GLP-1s in which the active ingredient is semaglutide — Wegovy, Ozempic and compounded semaglutide. Wegovy is FDA-approved specifically for weight loss, while Ozempic is approved for Type 2 diabetes and only prescribed off label for weight loss. Compounded semaglutide is a generic medication. Compounded medications aren’t evaluated by the FDA, so the specific formulation matters

Here are answers to five questions Dr. Wu fields all the time (and believes all patients considering a semaglutide medication would benefit from understanding).

If I want to avoid feeling nauseated at work, when should I take my medication?

Dr. Wu: For a weekly GLP-1, it doesn’t really matter. If you’re going to feel nauseated, it’s usually going to be the day after the injection, not the day of. Nausea is most often experienced when you first start the medication or increase your dose, so I wouldn’t recommend taking it the day of or the day before something really important. But it can be hard to predict and every person is unique.

What’s most important is taking the medication the same day each week. For example, if you take your first injection on a Monday, try to inject on Monday every week. The time of day can change; it doesn’t matter as much. But being consistent about which day it’s taken helps to mitigate side effects. Taking a dose too early can increase side effects, and so can taking it late. That said, if you forget to inject on your normal day, it’s not the end of the world — just reach out to your provider for instructions on what to do.

Once I begin taking my medication, when can I expect to see results?

Everyone is different in how they respond to medications and when they might start to see results. It also depends on how optimized diet and exercise are. The medications will not work as well or as quickly (or possibly at all!) if lifestyle modifications are not also made. 

Anecdotally, some people start to feel effects immediately — appetite suppression and reductions in cravings can start within hours. And most people notice appetite suppression going hand in hand with weight loss. But semaglutide is a long-acting medication and it takes time for it to build up in your system, so many people might not notice a change until week four, and still others might not see changes until the maximum dose is reached. It’s important to be patient, and not to be too concerned, if you do not see immediate results. 

If you’re not seeing weight loss at three months, then it’s time to check in with your provider, if you haven’t already. We’ll figure out if the medication isn’t working, or if we need to make further changes to diet and exercise, or if we need to increase the dose or switch to a different medication.

What should I expect after my first dose?

After a day or two, you might notice that your appetite is reduced. But that doesn’t happen for everyone, so be patient.

You might also experience any of the most common side effects, which are typically mild in nature and not concerning. The most common are gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain and acid reflux. They could happen anytime after your first dose — everyone is different. As long as the side effects are tolerable, which they are for most people, continue taking your medication. You can use Zofran if you’re feeling very nauseated or vomiting. If you have severe symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, or nausea and vomiting to the point where you can’t keep up with fluid intake, get in touch with your doctor or go to the nearest ER.

What foods or beverages should I eat or drink when I start taking my medication?

The best diet is one that you can follow long term, since you will need to stick with it even after you reach your goal weight. In terms of things to drink, avoid anything with calories in it. Alcohol can make people feel really sick, so I typically recommend reducing alcohol — especially if you’re having nausea or abdominal discomfort. But this is an anecdotal observation. 

This class of drugs slows down the emptying of your stomach, which is partially how they reduce appetite. Fatty foods do that too, so I recommend cutting back on them because the combination might make you feel sick. I don’t necessarily tell patients to go on a low-fat diet, but cutting back on fatty foods and eating smaller meals can help. But there’s no food or drink in particular that you need to load up on.

If semaglutide doesn’t work for me, does that mean other GLP-1 medications won’t work either?

For better or worse, the way people respond to medication is really individualized. The vast majority of people tolerate GLP-1 medications very well and lose a significant amount of weight. But if you have side effects, there are things we can do to mitigate them, and we can also change the medication. For example, a lot of people who don’t tolerate semaglutide might tolerate tirzepatide (a similar drug to GLP-1s), and vice versa. Also, some people just don’t respond to certain medications, and that’s nothing to be alarmed about. At the end of the day, it’s important to know that not every medication works for everyone. Don’t panic. Don’t lose faith. We can try something else.

Doctor-led & Individualized
GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication
Take the Quiz

Related Blog Posts

May 23, 2023
4 min read

GLP-1s vs Contrave™ Comparison

GLP-1s vs Contrave™ Comparison

GLP-1 medications and Contrave™ are both prescription medications that can help people lose weight, but they work differently to help you lose weight. In this post, we compare the two medication types.
GLP1s
Contrave
Medication
June 29, 2023
12 min read

Ozempic vs Wegovy: Which One Works Better for Weight Loss?

Ozempic vs Wegovy: Which One Works Better for Weight Loss?

In this article, we will discuss the similarities and differences between Ozempic and Wegovy and help you to better understand these medications and which one may be better suited for weight management.
Ozempic
Wegovy
GLP1s
June 29, 2023
8 min read

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which One Works Better for Weight Loss?

Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Which One Works Better for Weight Loss?

Are you considering Mounjaro or Ozempic for weight loss? Here's a comprehensive comparison of the two medications to help you choose the best option for you.
Mounjaro
Ozempic
GLP1s
June 29, 2023
7 min read

PCOS and Weight Loss: The Ultimate Guide

PCOS and Weight Loss: The Ultimate Guide

In this article, we will break down the relationship between PCOS and weight to help you better understand why weight loss is more difficult when you have PCOS.
Guide
June 29, 2023
5 min read

The Link Between Obesity and Shortness of Breath: What You Need to Know

The Link Between Obesity and Shortness of Breath: What You Need to Know

This article will define the different weight categories and discuss their connections to certain complications, including shortness of breath and obesity hypoventilation syndrome.
Guide
July 10, 2023
5 min read

Menopause and Weight Gain: Is Exercise the Answer?

Menopause and Weight Gain: Is Exercise the Answer?

This article explains why weight gain may occur during menopause and how to manage it.
Guide
GLP1s
July 11, 2023
6 min read

Exploring the Different GLP-1 Drugs: Which One is Right for You?

Exploring the Different GLP-1 Drugs: Which One is Right for You?

Different GLP-1 drugs possess distinct characteristics. Understanding the various GLP-1 drug options available is crucial in finding the right medication for your needs.
GLP1s
Mounjaro
Ozempic
Wegovy
July 11, 2023
6 min read

Top 5 Trulicity Alternatives

Top 5 Trulicity Alternatives

Trulicity is a weekly injection for type 2 diabetes that can help with weight loss. This article explores Trulicity and discusses alternative medications that are available and can be used for weight loss.
Medication
Guide
July 13, 2023
4 min read

Can Weight Loss Really Help Stop Snoring?

Can Weight Loss Really Help Stop Snoring?

Snoring can affect your sleep quality, and poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep can lead to sleep deprivation and other health consequences, such as high blood pressure and weight gain. Snoring can also be a symptom of other sleep-related breathing disorders like sleep apnea.
Guide
GLP1s