Semaglutide Patient Information

Generic name: Semaglutide

Dosage form: Subcutaneous (SQ) Injection

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medicine used for weight loss in specific patients and to lower blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying, and reducing appetite. Semaglutide is NOT for use in people with Type 1 diabetes.

How does Semaglutide work?

Semaglutide works to lower high blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin that is released, lowering the amount of glucagon released and by delaying gastric emptying. Semaglutide also controls appetite and so helps you reduce the amount of food that you want to eat. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist.

How should I take Semaglutide?

Take Semaglutide as a subcutaneous injection weekly. The dose may increase monthly.

Semaglutide Dosing

Initiate with a dose of 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously once weekly, and follow the dose escalation schedule below to minimize gastrointestinal adverse reactions:

  • Week 1 to week 4: 0.25 mg weekly

  • Week 5 to week 8: 0.5 mg weekly

  • Week 9 to week 12: 1 mg weekly

  • Week 13 onwards: 2 mg weekly

If you do not tolerate a dose during dose escalation, consider delaying dose escalation for 4 weeks. If you do not tolerate the maintenance 2 mg once-weekly dose, the dose can be temporarily decreased to 1 mg once-weekly, for a maximum of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, increase to the maintenance dose of 2mg once weekly. Patients with type 2 diabetes, it is recommended to monitor blood glucose prior to starting and during treatment. Contact our office at 817-644-1758 with dosing questions.

General Semaglutide Dosing Information

Semaglutide is injected under the skin, usually once per week at any time of the day, with or without food. Use an injection on the same day each week. Read and follow all instructions you have been given. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help.

  • Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the solution has turned cloudy or has particles in it. This may be temperature-related.

  • Your healthcare provider will show you where to inject Semaglutide. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

  • If you choose a different weekly injection day, start your new schedule after at least 2 days have passed since the last injection you gave.

  • Do not use different brands of Semaglutide at the same time.

Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, consume 15–20 grams (g) of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as a small glass of fruit juice or a few crackers. If a person is still experiencing symptoms of low blood sugar after 15 minutes, they can eat another 15–20 g portion of carbohydrates.

Tell your doctor if you have frequent symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) such as increased thirst or urination. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, medical tests, and special medical care. You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Store Semaglutide injection in the original carton in a refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use past the expiration date.

Do not reuse a needle. Place it in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can and then go back to your regular schedule. If your

next dose is due in less than 2 days (48 hours), skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

Call your doctor if you miss more than 2 doses in a row. You may need to restart the medicine at a lower dose to avoid stomach problems.

What happens if l take too much?

Do not use two doses of Semaglutide at one time. Taking too much may cause severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar.

Semaglutide Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, severe itching; dizziness, fast heartbeats; difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of Semaglutide may include:

  • 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, tiredness.

Serious side effects (though rare) reported of Semaglutide may include:

  • vision changes;

  • pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

  • trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, feeling short of breath;

  • symptoms of pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back,

  • gallbladder problems--upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  • low blood sugar--headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;

  • kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or

  • stomach flu symptoms--stomach cramps, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea (may be watery or bloody).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor or pharmacist for advice on treating side effects.

What other drugs will affect Semaglutide?

Semaglutide can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially insulin or other diabetes medicine, such as dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, Byetta, Trulicity, Victoza, and others.

Other drugs may affect Semaglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all other medicines you use.

Breastfeeding

 Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Semaglutide.

Storage

  • Store in the original vial in the refrigeration from 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F)

  • do not freeze

  • protect from light

  • discard after use

What are the Ingredients of Semaglutide?

Active ingredient: Semaglutide

Inactive ingredients: Sodium Chloride; Sodium Phosphate; B-12 Sodium Hydroxide (to adjust pH)

Further information

Consult with your physician to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your circumstances. Contact your pharmacy with any questions or concerns.

Complaints can be registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy at 512-305-8000.

Warnings

Call your doctor at once if you have swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath. You should not use Semaglutide if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.

Before taking this medicine

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (call your physician for treatment)

  • a stomach or intestinal disorder

  • Pancreatitis

  • kidney disease or eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy).

Men and women should stop using Semaglutide at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Ask your physician about taking Semaglutide while breastfeeding.

Semaglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.