If you are under the care of another healthcare provider, it is important that you inform your provider of your use of Semaglutide.
Note: If you have any physical or emotional reaction to Semaglutide treatment, discontinue use immediately, and contact your provider to ascertain if the reaction is adverse or an indication of the natural course of your body's adjustment to the treatment.
Laboratory testing will be completed before treatment. Laboratory testing will not be used to diagnose or treat any illnesses
We may perform these potential blood tests:
- Full blood count;
- Liver function test;
- Kidney Function Tests; and
- Cholesterol levels, HbA1c, Glucose.
Several weeks to months of treatment may be required depending on your individual response to Semaglutide.
If a missed dose is more than 5 days late, the missed dose should not be taken, and the next dose should be taken at the normal time.
It is essential to combine eating, exercise, and behavioral modifications with Semaglutide.
Semaglutide is not used in combination with another GLP-1 receptor agonist, insulin, or insulin secretagogues (such as sulfonylureas) due to the risk of hypoglycemia.
Semaglutide causes a delay of gastric emptying and may impact the absorption of oral medications.
There are several special warnings and precautions for use of Semaglutide including warnings regarding pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and cholecystitis, thyroid disease, heart rate, dehydration, and hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes.
Thyroid adverse events, such as goiter have been reported in patients with pre-existing thyroid disease. Semaglutide is used with caution in patients with thyroid disease.
A higher rate of cholelithiasis and cholecystitis (gallstone and gallbladder disease) has been observed in patients treated with Semaglutide. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis may lead to hospitalization and cholecystectomy.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration, including renal impairment and acute renal failure, have been reported in patients treated with Semaglutide. There is the potential risk of dehydration in relation to gastrointestinal side effects and you should take precautions to avoid fluid depletion. Patients may also experience symptoms of increased heart rate.
Acute pancreatitis has been observed with the use of Semaglutide. Talk to your healthcare provider about the signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms develop. If pancreatitis is suspected, Semaglutide should be discontinued; if acute pancreatitis is confirmed, do not re-start Semaglutide..
Semaglutide may cause dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors. It is unknown whether Semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (cancer, MTC). Symptoms of thyroid tumors include a mass in the neck, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent hoarseness.
Risks of Semaglutide treatment include but are not limited to:
- Common or very common: altered sense of taste, dry mouth, insomnia, burping; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth; gallbladder disorders; gastrointestinal discomfort; gastrointestinal disorders; insomnia; nausea; vomiting, hypoglycemia, dyspepsia, gastritis, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, flatulence, upper abdomen pain, abdomen distension, cholelithiasis, injection site reactions, fatigue, increased lipase and increased amylase.
- Uncommon: Malaise; pancreatitis; tachycardia; urticaria
- Rare: Renal impairment, allergic reaction, anaphylaxis
Do not take Semaglutide if any of the below contraindications apply to you:
- Aged under 18 or above 75;
- Severe renal/kidney impairment (with eGFR of 15 or below) or a history of renal disease;
- Severe hepatic/liver impairment;
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC);
- Hypersensitivity to Semaglutide or to any of the excipients: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol and water for injection.
- Concurrent treatment with any other products for weight management;
- Weight problems related to endocrinological or eating disorders;
- Concurrent use of insulin or sulfonylurea;
- Concurrent use of warfarin (more frequent INR monitoring required);
- Concurrent use of any medicinal products with may cause weight gain;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding or trying to/planning to become pregnant;
- Congestive heart failure;
- History of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetic gastroparesis and/or
- Patients with a personal or family history of MEN 2 (Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome.
The below drugs interact with Semaglutide and treatment of Semaglutide should not be used concurrently:
Alogliptin, Biphasic insulin aspart, Biphasic insulin lispro, Biphasic isophane insulin, Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Dulaglutide, Empagliflozin, Exenatide, Glibenclamide, Gliclazide, Glimepiride, Glipizide, any insulin including aspart, degludec, detemir, glargine, glulisine, lispro, isophane, zinc suspension, Nateglinide, Pioglitazone, Repaglinide Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin, Vildagliptin, Tolbutamide.