Semaglutide - Renew Hormone Center

Semaglutide is an injectable prescription medication used to improve blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists that work by stimulating the release of insulin when blood sugar levels are high while also slowing digestion to help control blood sugar.Semaglutide comes as a once-weekly injection that patients can self-administer at home with a prefilled pen device. Studies have shown it to be highly effective, leading to significant reductions in A1c levels of around 1-2% when used alone or with other diabetes medications. "Semaglutide is a game-changer for many with type 2 diabetes due to its ability to lower A1c substantially," said Dr. Smith, an endocrinologist at County Medical Center.

Semaglutide works in a few key ways to lower blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes:* It stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin when blood sugar levels rise after eating. This promotes better uptake of glucose into cells.* It slows digestion in the stomach allowing sugar to be absorbed more slowly to prevent spikes.* It suppresses appetite leading to less food/calorie intake overall.Together these effects lead to improved 24 hour blood sugar control. "By tapping into multiple pathways, semaglutide is very effective for glycemic management," shared dietician Jane Brown of Helpful Nutrition Services. Most patients see clinically meaningful drops in their A1c after 3-6 months on treatment.

The most common side effects of semaglutide are gastrointestinal in nature as it can take time for the digestive system to adjust. These include:* Nausea - Often mild and improves over time for most* Diarrhea - Typically resolves within a few weeks* Decreased appetite - Usually stabilizes after 2-3 months* Constipation or abdominal pain - Reported by someThese issues tend to be worst early on when starting and often resolve with continued use. "We start patients on a lower dose for a month before moving to the full dose which improves tolerance greatly," advised Dr. Abrams at Metro Health Network.While rare, semaglutide can also increase risk of thyroid tumors so thyroid function is monitored. Patients should let their doctor know if side effects are severe or persist beyond the first 1-2 months of therapy.

There are some patients who should not be prescribed semaglutide therapy:* Those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2* Those with severe gastrointestinal disease - e.g. severe pancreatitis, diabetic gastroparesis* Pregnant or breastfeeding women* Children under 18 years of age"We carefully screen patients for any precautions or contraindications before initiating semaglutide," noted endocrinologist Dr. Lee who stresses the importance of a complete medical history.It's also key that prescribing doctors are aware of all current medications a patient is on case adjustment is required to avoid interactions. Patients should always inform their doctor of their full health profile before starting semaglutide.

The cost of semaglutide can vary greatly depending on one's health insurance coverage. Those with private prescription plans may pay between $15-150 per month for the medication itself. The maximum anyone would pay out-of-pocket per month is around $1,000 based on current pricing models.There are manufacturer savings cards available that can lower copays to as little as $25 per month for eligible, privately insured patients. Uninsured individuals may also qualify to get semaglutide at reduced rates through patient assistance programs based on income."Don't let worries about cost deter you from asking about semaglutide - there are options to make this medication affordable for many," encouraged diabetes educator Susan James. Reach out to your doctor or healthcare team to discuss budget-friendly ways to access this type 2 diabetes treatment if interested.