Semaglutide is a revolutionary new drug that has taken the diet world by storm. Originally developed as a diabetes medication, semaglutide (also known as Ozempic or Wegovy) was found to have a highly beneficial side effect: weight loss. As more and more people begin taking it for weight management, it’s not uncommon for physicians to get asked “When does semaglutide start working for weight loss?”

There are a few different influences on how long the medication can take to become effective. Still, most people can expect to see results fairly quickly. We’ll further explore the entire semaglutide timeline, how it works, and more below.

Understanding Semaglutide

Semaglutide belongs to a class of prescription drugs that interact with a hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which affects the body’s blood sugar levels and appetite. It was first created to treat Type 2 diabetes, but researchers quickly realized that it also had a noticeable impact on obesity and weight gain.

This medication helps with weight loss in a few ways. First, it reduces appetite and hunger, which results in people craving fewer high-calorie snacks and foods. Additionally, it slows how quickly the stomach empties food, allowing people to go longer between meals. Finally, it regulates blood sugar levels. This is vital for people with diabetes but can also help those trying to lose weight by stabilizing energy levels.

Early studies have revealed that semaglutide can help people lose as much as 20% of their body weight, and up to 80% of people can benefit from adding semaglutide to their weight-loss routine.

There is some potential for side effects with semaglutide, including gastrointestinal issues, dizziness, fatigue, or headaches, so it’s important to tell your doctor immediately if you notice any issues. Fortunately, most people find that the side effects go away on their own after a few days or weeks. Your doctor may start you on a smaller dose and have you work your way up to avoid these.

Semaglutide comes in an injectable form that is typically self-administered by the patient once a week.

The Semaglutide Timeline

No two people have the same physiological chemistry, so semaglutide will impact everyone a little differently. However, there are some standard lengths of time in which the majority of patients begin to see results.

In the first one to four weeks of taking semaglutide, you likely won’t see many physical changes, but you should start noticing the impact on your appetite and hunger. You may find that you’re less hungry or are going longer in between meals.

By weeks five to eight, you’ll start to see more significant effects. The weight loss begins gradually and starts to ramp up as you stay consistent with your routine and medication, and the first signs of weight dropping off will slowly appear. As you approach week 20, there should be steady and regular results. At this point, some people have lost up to 5-10% of their body fat.

The long-term impacts of semaglutide are often the most visible. By now, people are on their maintenance dose of the medication. If you remain dedicated to exercise and healthy eating habits, your weight should continue to drop at a regular pace. You can remain at your dose until you’ve reached your weight-loss goals, which you can discuss with your healthcare provider.

Factors That Can Affect How Fast Semaglutide Works

There are a number of factors that may influence how quickly or slowly you lose weight with semaglutide, from personal biology to your environment and more.

• Metabolism: Your body’s metabolism, which is largely a result of genetics, will vary from other people’s. This may mean that you’re able to process semaglutide at a faster or slower rate, which affects how quickly the drug can become effective.
• Lifestyle choices: Your diet, exercise routine, sleep patterns, stress management, and more can all influence how quickly you lose weight.
• Co-occurring medical conditions: People with medical conditions or illnesses like diabetes may find that it takes semaglutide longer to help with weight loss.
• Treatment plan consistency: Skipping doses of semaglutide or not following your provider’s instructions on how and when to properly take it may result in impacted weight loss.

Final Thoughts

Semaglutide can be incredibly beneficial for weight loss, but it’s vital to follow the healthy routines directed to you by your doctor. If you fail to stick to healthy diet and exercise patterns, it may not be effective at all.

However, if you’re able to stay consistent, you should begin noticing results in next to no time. If you’re interested in trying semaglutide for yourself, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians today to find out if it’s right for you.