Semaglutide
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While semaglutide is effective for weight loss, these findings emphasize the need to balance therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability, tailoring treatment plans to minimize side effects while achieving optimal outcomes. | While semaglutide is effective for weight loss, these findings emphasize the need to balance therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability, tailoring treatment plans to minimize side effects while achieving optimal outcomes. | ||
| - | Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated efficacy in weight loss and glycemic control but is often discontinued due to adverse effects and financial barriers. Real-world data reveal that 36.5% of patients discontinue GLP-1 agonists within 12 months, with higher rates among those with obesity compared to type 2 diabetes. Factors such as gastrointestinal side effects, out-of-pocket costs, and demographic disparities, including race and socioeconomic status, significantly contribute to discontinuation rates (Do et al., 2024). These findings highlight the need for balancing therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability and accessibility. | + | Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated efficacy in weight loss and glycemic control but is often discontinued due to adverse effects and financial barriers. Real-world data reveal that 36.5% of patients discontinue GLP-1 agonists within 12 months, with higher rates among those with obesity compared to type 2 diabetes<ref>DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13172</ref>. Factors such as gastrointestinal side effects, out-of-pocket costs, and demographic disparities, including race and socioeconomic status, significantly contribute to discontinuation rates (Do et al., 2024). These findings highlight the need for balancing therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability and accessibility. |
== References == | == References == | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 18:10, 11 December 2024
This page is under construction until Dec 20th 2024.
Semaglutide is an analog of the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) hormone. It acts as an agonist to the GLP-1 receptor and is used as drug to manage diabetes. Its use has been growing as a weight-loss medication, and potential benefits across a wide range of diseases is currently studied.
Contents |
Discovery
Semaglutide was discovered [1] in an effort to increase the lifetime of a once-a-day medication called Liraglutide. It is derived from the GLP-1 hormone, contains two amino acid sequence changes and a covalently attached lipid.
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Medical use of Semaglutide
Semaglutide medications have become extremely popular over time in managing weight loss and obesity. Originally developed as treatments for type 2 diabetes, medications such as Ozempic are now widely used for their ability to aid weight loss. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), semaglutide works by mimicking the effects of the GLP-1 hormone in the body. This action helps regulate the metabolic system, control appetite, and reduce calorie intake, leading to significant weight loss in many users. Semaglutide also slows gastric emptying, which prolongs the feeling of fullness after eating and further supports weight management.
Side effects
While semaglutide has shown great promise in helping manage obesity, it is associated with a variety of dose-dependent side effects, as demonstrated in clinical trials. The most commonly reported adverse effects are gastrointestinal and neurological in nature. Gastrointestinal issues include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain. These effects are primarily due to semaglutide's mechanism of action, as the slowing of gastric emptying can cause discomfort, particularly at higher doses.
Neurological side effects, including headaches and dizziness, are also frequently reported. These may result from fluctuations in blood sugar levels and how the brain adjusts to changes in hunger and energy signaling. Other less direct effects, such as gastroenteritis, may occur due to altered gut motility or changes in gut flora, which increase susceptibility to infection. Additionally, semaglutide can affect kidney function because reduced fluid intake may lead to dehydration, highlighting the importance of monitoring hydration levels. Some users also report nasopharyngitis, potentially linked to immune modulation, though this is less common.
While semaglutide is effective for weight loss, these findings emphasize the need to balance therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability, tailoring treatment plans to minimize side effects while achieving optimal outcomes.
Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated efficacy in weight loss and glycemic control but is often discontinued due to adverse effects and financial barriers. Real-world data reveal that 36.5% of patients discontinue GLP-1 agonists within 12 months, with higher rates among those with obesity compared to type 2 diabetes[2]. Factors such as gastrointestinal side effects, out-of-pocket costs, and demographic disparities, including race and socioeconomic status, significantly contribute to discontinuation rates (Do et al., 2024). These findings highlight the need for balancing therapeutic benefits with patient tolerability and accessibility.
References
- ↑ Lau J, Bloch P, Schaffer L, Pettersson I, Spetzler J, Kofoed J, Madsen K, Knudsen LB, McGuire J, Steensgaard DB, Strauss HM, Gram DX, Knudsen SM, Nielsen FS, Thygesen P, Reedtz-Runge S, Kruse T. The discovery of the once weekly glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog semaglutide. J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 26. PMID:26308095 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00726
- ↑ Do D, Lee T, Peasah SK, Good CB, Inneh A, Patel U. GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Discontinuation Among Patients With Obesity and/or Type 2 Diabetes. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2413172. PMID:38787563 doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13172
