Well Medical Arts is happy to be offering personalized Semaglutide consultations in West Seattle.

Semaglutide is the once weekly injection that can help you minimize food cravings and lose weight.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is an FDA-approved prescription peptide for weight management^*.  Originally used to treat Type 2 diabetes, two robust studies show its efficacy in weight management in non-type 2 diabetic patients. Semaglutide is a base ingredient medication that is also available under the brand names of Ozempic and Wegovy. At Well Medical Arts we administer a compounded version of Semaglutide that also contains Vitamin B which helps reduce the two most common side effects, fatigue and nausea in most patients.  This compounded version of Semaglutide contains the exact same active ingredient as Wegovy and Ozempic.

Semaglutide is a once weekly injectable that binds to the GLP-1 receptors which are located on the beta receptors of the pancreas and areas of the brain.  Binding increases insulin secretion which lowers glucose levels, reduces post-prandial glucagon secretion, promotes early satiety (you feel full faster), slows down gastric emptying (you stay feeling full longer), and helps reduce appetite & cravings.

How will Semaglutide affect me?

Semaglutide Function on Specific Organs:

• Brain:  Helps Regulate appetite and cravings
• Stomach: Slows down emptying of stomach after meals
• Pancreas:  Increase insulin production to help regulate glucose levels
• Liver: Reduces production of glucose

Aside from weight loss, patients taking Semaglutide have also seen a decreased risk of certain conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, joint pain and reduced blood pressure.

Who can NOT use Seamaglutide?

The following conditions are contraindications for using Semaglutide, if you have or have a history of any of these conditions it is NOT recommended that you use Semaglutide.

• diabetic retinopathy, a type of damage to the eye from diabetes
• low blood sugar
• disease of the gallbladder
• acute inflammation of the pancreas
• decreased kidney function
• medullary thyroid cancer
• multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2
• family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• kidney disease with likely reduction in kidney function

What is the process for starting Semaglutide?

Stage 1: To get started on Semaglutide at Well Medical Arts we first schedule you for a intial consultation to teach you about how to safely use Semaglutide and help determine your realistic goals and set you up for continued success.  At this appointment you will leave with medication to get started. We will also schedule a 1 month follow up to check in with you and ensure you are meeting the goals we have collaboratively set with you.

Some patients will see enough weight loss after the initial stage that continued treatment is not needed. Others with more weight to lose will want to continue on to the second stage.

Stage 2: After the initial course of Semaglutide we will have you come back to start the second stage. At this appointment the dosage will be increased and this is where we typically see more weight loss happen.  For some clients looking to lose a good amount we may continue a third course to achieve desired results. It is not recommended to take Seamaglutide for more than 6 months but we hope that with your desire and commitment we can hit and even surpass your goals.  If you do desire to continue on past 6 months we have you take a 1 month break to clear all medication from your system and minimize any potential long term side efffects.

When can I expect to see results from Semaglutide?

Most patients will notice some body weight loss in the first month, the real game changing benefits are usually fully noticed starting after three months of treatment. (Results may vary based on treatment plan)

Semaglutide is a medication that dosage strength increases over time.  This allows your body to adjust and tolerate the medication better. We do not start at a high dose as you could have an increased risk of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Are there side effect when using Semaglutide?

There are potential negative side effects. The most common are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. We recommend patients reduce their portion size and stop eating once they start feeling full when starting the medication. This is because your stomach empties at a slower rate when you are on the medication. Overeating greatly increases the incidence of nausea.

While there is never a miracle cure when losing weight, at home use of Semaglutide in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise has shown an average of 15% loss of total body weight in a 68 week study^***.

*Side effects may occur and include the following: Low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes), upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, stomach flu symptoms, headache, dizziness, and tiredness.

** FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014 | FDA

***Studies done by the New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of American Medical Association. For more information, visit Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity | NEJM

Instructions for using Semaglutide

While using Semaglutide it is highly recommended that you:

• Eat a fibrous diet. Focus on fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber
• Eat small high protein meals as digestion is slowed down while on this medication
• Avoid foods high in fat as they take longer to digest
• Limit alcohol intake as this medication can lower blood pressure, and alcholol can increase side effects
• Drink at least 32oz of water a day to avoid constipation and help with fat burning

Semaglutide must be ramped up slowly to minimize any adverse side effects
For the first two months you will be starting on a lower medication dosage and must keep up with your weekly injections. Those who are looking to lose more weight than comes off in the first 2 months will move up to a stronger dose for a second 2 month cycle.

We recommend you set a weekly recurring alarm in your phone to remind you to take your dose. It is recommended to take Semaglutide the same day each week, if you forget on your day take your dose as soon as possible.

STAGE 1 – 1mg strength

1. Initial dosing, inject 0.25cc subcutaneously once a week for 4 weeks (25 Units on Insulin Syringe)

2. After 4 weeks dose is increased to inject  0.5cc subcutaneously once a week for another 4 weeks (50 Units on Insulin Syringe)

NOTE: We will schedule your 4 week and 7 Week follow up after your consultation so that you can track progress and keep to your dosage schedule.

STAGE 2 – 5mg strength – This is the therapeutic strength dosing that requires less volume injected

3.  Dose for Month 3, inject  0.2cc subcutaneously once a week .  (20 Units on Insulin Syringe)

4.  Dose for Month 4, inject 0.3cc subcutaneously once a week. (30 Units on Insulin Syringe)

If you have any issues or questions about your Semaglutide medication please call Well Medical Arts at 206-935-5689.

It is recommended that you pre load your syringes and keep Your Semaglutide Medication refrigerated to ensure it keeps its potency. Be sure to allow your shot to come to room temperature prior to injection to minimize sting, and always rub the injection site with two fingers and good pressure directly after injection.