Semiglutide Slimming: Do Good Things Come To The Patient?
How much and how fast you can expect to shed pounds on semaglutide drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
Did you catch the double entrende in the title this week?
Is Semiglutide effective, yes.Instantly effective, no.
GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic take time to work.
The amount of weight loss seen from GLP-1 drugs can vary depending on the specific drug, the dosage, and the individual taking it. However, based on studies that have been published, here's a rough estimate of the typical weight loss seen from GLP-1 drugs on a monthly basis for the first year:
Month 1: 0.5-1% of body weight
Month 2: 1-2% of body weight
Month 3: 2-3% of body weight
Month 4: 3-4% of body weight
Month 5: 4-5% of body weight
Month 6: 5-6% of body weight
Month 7: 6-7% of body weight
Month 8: 7-8% of body weight
Month 9: 8-9% of body weight
Month 10: 9-10% of body weight
Month 11: 10-11% of body weight
Month 12: 11-12% of body weight
When it comes to weight loss, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. These averages, they're just that, averages. As the pros say, “Your results may vary”.
And let's not forget, weight loss is a complex thing. Diet, exercise, and dosing all play a role. So, it's important to work with your healthcare provider to create a plan that's tailored to you. Because when it comes to weight loss, you gotta play the hand you're dealt.
Bonus Ways to Spend It
Got cash stashed under your mattress or an ether token lying around to accelerate results? MyBodyTutor is a great way to create daily accountability. FlexIt offers Virtual Private Training and Nutritionist support in the comfort of your own home. MyFitnessPal for tracking calories is also popular for a reason.
If you want to stay Scrooge McDuck, stick to the basics: Consume less sugar, exercise more (even going for walks while listening an entire episode of Lex Friedman - at 1x speed, no cheating!), and your results can be better than the averages.
The drug you get prescribed might also make a difference.
According to clinical trials, Ozempic has been shown to produce an average weight loss of 5-10% of body weight over the course of 52 weeks. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, for example, reported an average weight loss of 8.4% in individuals taking Ozempic, compared to 3.5% in those taking a placebo.
On the other hand, Wegovy (Semaglutide) has been shown to produce an average weight loss of 7-12% of body weight over the course of 52 weeks. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, for example, reported an average weight loss of 10.9% in individuals taking Wegovy, compared to 3.5% in those taking a placebo.
It's important to note that these are averages and individual results may vary. Also, weight loss results may differ between the two medications, but the overall weight loss trend is similar over the course of a year.
Show Me Some Ozempic Weight Loss Charts!
As part of the FDA approval clinical trials for Ozempic as a drug for diabetics, average change in body weight was a secondary measurement endpoint. The charts are interesting.
In the FORTE trial, we can see what happens over 40 weeks for users on 1mg of Ozempic vs. 2mg of Ozempic:
The higher dosage resulted in just over 11% more weight loss (for patients with diagnosed diabetes.)
The Ozempic Sustain 4 trial is shorter (30 weeks vs 40 weeks) and used the 0.5mg and 1.0mg dosage, let’s have a look:
Hit Reply to Share Your Semuglutide Journey.
Metamorphosis Marvel of the Week.
Kudos to Reddit user Nodella1 who lost 82lbs on Ozempic in 8 months!
Ozempic (Semaglutide): A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, "Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes", by Marso et al. (2016)
Wegovy (Semaglutide): A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism "Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Semaglutide in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3a Study", by Buse et al (2018)