SEMAGLUTIDE/OZEMPIC/WEGOVY
WEIGHT LOSS INJECTIONS

What is Ozempic and Wegovy

Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA approved prescription medications used for weight loss in certain overweight people, such as those who are obese or are over-weight with weight-related medical problems. 

Do you take insurance or HSA/FSA accounts?

At Anchor Medical,  we do not participate in insurance plans or HSA/FSA accounts, but we offer affordable self-pay rates at $100 per provider visit monthly and $50 for follow ups in between visits as needed. 

Your insurance may cover the costs for Lab works and prescription medications. We also offer affordable self-pay rates for the Lab works and generic medications (like Semaglutide) from FDA approved compounding pharmacy. 

How much does Ozempic/Wegovy cost?

The cost of your medication will vary. We will assist you in obtaining coverage and will work with you and your budget to select an affordable weight loss medication that’s right for you. 

What is Semaglutide?

Semalgutide is the active ingredient of Ozempic and Wegovy. It is a synthetic polypeptide analog of the endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

Semaglutide has the effects of appetite suppression, blood glucose control for Type 2 Diabetes and chronic weight loss for Obesity. It has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes patients and induce anti-inflammatory benefits in multiple organ systems [1, 2, 4, 5 ].  The medication is used with a doctor-approved exercise, behavior change, and reduced-calorie diet program to help you lose weight.

It is injected under the skin in the thigh, abdomen, or upper arm once a week. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Semaglutide Dosages and Costs

Based on the available information to date, here is a reference semaglutide dosing protocol to induce weight loss in obese or overweight subjects. We need to evaluate your response monthly and decide whether we need to further increase the total weekly dose:

  • Weeks 1-4: 0.25 mg/week, 4 weeks total for $100;
  • Weeks 5-8: 0.5 mg/week,  4 weeks total for $125;
  • Weeks 9-12: 1.0 mg/week, 4 weeks total for $150;
  • Weeks 13-16: 1.7 mg/week, 4 weeks total for $200;
  • Weeks 17 and above: 2.4 mg/week, 4 weeks total for $235.
  • The goal of weight loss while you are on Semaglutide is average 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week. At any dosage, if you may maintain the monthly weight loss of 4 lbs, then you may stay on the lowest effective dosage as long as it requires to reach your final weight loss goal.

Semaglutide FAQs

1. What can make me not eligible for this treatment?

The use of Semaglutide is contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma and in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. It is recommended not to take this medication when you are pregnant or lactation. 

2. What are the possible adverse reactions? 

Semaglutide may cause abdominal adverse reactions, including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, belly pain, heart burn, abdominal distention, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.  It may also cause headache, fatigue, dizziness, and hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.  

3. How long does it take for the medication to start working? 

It gets to a steady-state in the body after 4-5 weeks. This is typically when patients start to appreciate steady weight loss. However, you may experience some nausea or changes in appetite and cravings immediately after starting the medication. 

4. What will happen if I stop taking the medication?

Semaglutide helps the insulin in your body work much more effectively while you are on the medication. If you stop the medication shortly after starting it, you will see very little change. If you’ve been on Semaglutide for long term and then stop taking it, the lifestyle component becomes very crucial to maintain the weight loss. If you’ve developed and adopted healthy lifestyle habits, you will likely succeed at keeping the weight off. This includes ensuring eat a healthy, nutritious diet that is appropriate for your weight maintenance goals, exercising regularly, and getting enough refreshing sleep on a nightly basis. Besides all, ask us how peptides supplements may support you throughout the weight loss journey. 

5. Do I need to follow a specific diet to lose weight while on Semaglutide?

We have found that the best diet for you is going to be one that is well-balanced, nutrient-filled, and calorically appropriate for your gradual weight loss. You may choose the one that you are most likely to follow consistently, because consistency leads to success. We will also discuss about your diet during the weekly and monthly appointment. 

6. Why do I need to start with the lower dose?

Your body must adjust to the medication slowly. There is often some unwanted side effects initially after you begin the medication. The most common side effects of nausea at higher dose may cause you blood sugar dropping. You may become faint and possibly pass our and fall. Therefore, a slow titration, starting with the lowest effective dose, will be the best way to decrease side effects. 

7. What happens if I skip a weekly dose?

The medication lasts in your system at steady-state for about a week. If you accidentally skip a dose, you can take it immediately once you remember and allow the level to build back up in your system. If it has been over a week since you were supposed to have taken your last dose, you may need to step down your dose in order to get your body adjusted to alleviate any side effects.

8. Why do I need blood work done to start this medication?

Bloodwork is crucial to ensure that we can safely prescribe Semaglutide. This, like any other medication, has the potential side effects and can place stress on your body. By testing a comprehensive panel of labs, we can get substantive information about the status and functions of your multiple organs and about how your body works together as a whole. 

9. I’m getting nausea from Semaglutide, what should I do?

There are many ways to mitigate possible nausea from Semaglutide. First, eat absorptive foods such as rice or toast prior to your injection. Taking the injection before bed can also allow you to sleep through any nausea. Typically any nausea will abate within a few days. We can also prescribe anti-nausea medication ondansetron to ease your symptom.  

10. How long can I be enrolled in your program?

We require an initial commitment of 3 months to assure your success in weight loss. After the initial 3 months, you can continue monthly provider appointment with medication treatment or cancel at anytime when you have achieved your weight loss goals. 

References:

  1. Mahapatra MK, Karuppasamy M, Sahoo BM. Semaglutide is a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist with cardiovascular benefits for the management of type 2 diabetes. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2022 Jun;23(3):521-539. doi: 10.1007/s11154-021-09699-1. Epub 2022 Jan 7. PMID: 34993760; PMCID: PMC8736331. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8736331/
  2. Knudsen LB, Lau J. The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019 Apr 12;10:155. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00155. PMID: 31031702; PMCID: PMC6474072. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31031702/
  3. Ahmann AJ, Capehorn M, Charpentier G, Dotta F, Henkel E, Lingvay I, Holst AG, Annett MP, Aroda VR. Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide Versus Exenatide ER in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 3): A 56-Week, Open-Label, Randomized Clinical Trial. Diabetes Care. 2018 Feb;41(2):258-266. doi: 10.2337/dc17-0417. Epub 2017 Dec 15. PMID: 29246950. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29246950/
  4. Christou GA, Katsiki N, Blundell J, Fruhbeck G, Kiortsis DN. Semaglutide as a promising antiobesity drug. Obes Rev. 2019 Jun;20(6):805-815. doi: 10.1111/obr.12839. Epub 2019 Feb 15. PMID: 30768766. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30768766/
  5. National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 56843331, Semaglutide. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Semaglutide
  6. Yang Z, Chen M, Carter JD, Nunemaker CS, Garmey JC, Kimble SD, Nadler JL. Combined treatment with lisofylline and exendin-4 reverses autoimmune diabetes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Jun 9;344(3):1017-22. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.03.177. Epub 2006 Apr 5. PMID: 16643856. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16643856/</>
  7. Blonde L, Klein EJ, Han J, Zhang B, Mac SM, Poon TH, Taylor KL, Trautmann ME, Kim DD, Kendall DM. Interim analysis of the effects of exenatide treatment on A1C, weight and cardiovascular risk factors over 82 weeks in 314 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2006 Jul;8(4):436-47. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2006.00602.x. PMID: 16776751. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16776751/
  8. During MJ, Cao L, Zuzga DS, Francis JS, Fitzsimons HL, Jiao X, Bland RJ, Klugmann M, Banks WA, Drucker DJ, Haile CN. The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor is involved in learning and neuroprotection. Nat Med. 2003 Sep;9(9):1173-9. doi: 10.1038/nm919. Epub 2003 Aug 17. PMID: 12925848. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12925848/
  9. Gros R, You X, Baggio LL, Kabir MG, Sadi AM, Mungrue IN, Parker TG, Huang Q, Drucker DJ, Husain M. Cardiac function in mice lacking the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. Endocrinology. 2003 Jun;144(6):2242-52. doi: 10.1210/en.2003-0007. PMID: 12746281. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12746281/