What exactly is Semaglutide? Medical Weight Loss Clinic pros answer the question

For those of us working to improve our health and lose extra pounds, several new medications on the market have been circulating on the news and in conversations for the past year. If you’ve been wondering what exactly the active ingredient – Semaglutide – is, you’re not alone.

What exactly is semaglutide? Is it right for me? At Medical Weight Loss Clinic, we have answers.

All the talk about these popular injectable weight loss drugs has caught the attention of both new and existing Medical Weight Loss Clinic patients, too. 

So, we checked in with Jordan Stewart, business analyst at Medical Weight Loss Clinic, to learn more about this medication, where it comes from and why it’s causing such a stir.

"Semaglutide is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist medication that is used for the treatment of obesity and Type 2 diabetes," she says. "Semaglutide binds to GLP-1 receptors located throughout the body, acting centrally in the brain to control hunger.  It also acts locally in the pancreas to lower blood sugar."

For those patients who struggle to see a shift on the scale despite making healthy choices, injectable medications containing semaglutide can ease hunger and provide a much-needed extra boost for weight loss. It interacts with the parts of the brain that signal us to feel full, causing weight loss patients to think differently about food.

At Medical Weight Loss Clinic, some of our current patients are switching from older medications like Phentermine (Adipex) to try out this new option. And Jordan says, the company has seen an increase in patients who are enrolling in prescription therapy programs because they are so interested in trying semaglutide medication.

Semaglutide medications are meant for patients with obesity struggling to control hunger and food cravings. Those patients with cardiac conditions are not able to safely try stimulant-based appetite suppressants, so this new category of medicine provides an exciting new option.

Of course, not everyone is a good candidate for this kind of treatment.

Patients at Medical Weight Loss Clinic locations who are interested in learning more about semaglutide treatments talk directly with our medical providers to find out if this is an option to them.

“Our Physicians will evaluate a patient’s medical history and current health, and they will work together to determine the best medication for treatment and weight loss,” Jordan says.

For those individuals who are candidates, Medical Weight Loss Clinic offers a convenient and cost-effective way to access a prescription and obtain the self-administered once-weekly injection.

“Medical Weight Loss Clinic has partnered with a compounding pharmacy to be able to offer our patients semaglutide combined with B12 at a fraction of the cost of the name-brand medication,” Jordan says. “Because semaglutide is on the FDA shortage list, making it commercially unavailable, compounding pharmacies have legally been allowed to step in to provide the medication compounded with vitamins - like B12 or B6.”

And yes, Jordan says, this is a very safe option. 

By federal law, compounding pharmacies must source the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient from FDA-registered and inspected facilities, according to Jordan. This comes with a certificate of analysis that shows the substance’s identity, potency and purity. 

“Compounded semaglutide is prepared with care and adheres to strict safety and quality standards,” she adds. “Our patients can conveniently have it delivered to their doorstep within days of being prescribed.”

So far, patients who try this as part of a Medical Weight Loss Clinic personalized program are seeing positive results.

Jordan says: “When used in conjunction with a structured meal plan, exercise and support from our professionals at Medical Weight Loss Clinic, this medication can be very effective for weight loss and improving overall health.”   

Are you a candidate for semaglutide? Do you want to learn more about how it can assist in weight loss alongside healthy habits?Schedule your free consultation online or by calling 1-800-GET-SLIM

*Results may vary. Minimum purchase required. Some restrictions apply and discounts may not be used for online purchases.
When you enroll in a Medical Weight Loss Clinic program, the length of your program will be determined by you and the staff based on the amount of weight you want to lose and how quickly you want to lose it. Your actual weight loss will be determined by many factors, including, but not limited to: your medical circumstances, the plan you choose, adherence to the meal plan and use of nutritional supplements. Your goal and program duration information will be given to you in writing at the time of enrollment. As your program progresses, the rate you lose weight may change and you will have the opportunity to discuss this at every daily visit with your weight loss consultant, where changes to your meal plan and/or program can be made.