Side Effects of Weight Loss Medication Semaglutide

Also known by brand names Wegovy or Ozempic, semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) that is buzzing in the weight loss industry, and for good reason—it works really well! By targeting three common struggles associated with shedding pounds—mental cravings, blood sugar, hunger/satiety—semaglutide is able to free the body up to actually release weight.

Second in popular conversation to the powerful effects we’ve seen are the side effects associated with the medication. First things first, we’d like to be clear that this medication has been used to treat blood sugar issues related to diabetes for years, and only recently has it been used specifically for weight loss, so there is no shortage of study and management of these side effects. The chances of experiencing one or more of these side effects will be totally unique to your body, but since we noticed a number of them were almost 100% common across those who were using it when we first started implementing it within VIVA Wellness, we simply built some solutions into the protocol itself so that our clients are able to see the results they’re aiming for without compromising their quality of life.

That’s why opting to receive your semaglutide weight loss therapy through the VIVA Wellness, NP-guided, side-effect resolving approach is your sure bet for maintaining your participation in your life—that’s the whole point, in our eyes.

A benefit to working with a Nurse Practitioner for your use of semaglutide is that you have a healthcare provider as your ally throughout the course. Before you even receive the medication, and perhaps as you’re adjusting to it, our NPs are carefully assessing whether your medical background makes you a good candidate and also how your body is reacting to the initial dosages. The fully customized protocol means that your body and your experience drive the dosage. At the same time, the supplements (oral and injected) that we’ve built into our protocol mean that you likely won’t have to slow or stop usage, meaning you’re staying on track toward your results.

First, these do usually decline with time as the body adjusts. Again, this is why having an NP-managed program, including frequent check-ins and dosing (including administration of the injections themselves), can revolutionize the way you feel as you receive semaglutide, which may ultimately influence the results you experience.

1. Nausea

   Nausea is the most common side effect associated. A lot is changing throughout your digestive process as the medication begins to work, so nausea is not really an unexpected experience. Remember part of the medication’s impact is actually slowing the speed with which food empties the stomach, so what and how much you eat may influence whether or not this is something you experience. Additionally, your overall health, proclivity towards nausea, sensitivity, pancreas and liver health, and overall digestion may all influence this too.
   Our team has designed multiple parts of our protocol to support your body in warding off or experiencing less severe nausea.

2. Digestive disturbances: constipation or diarrhea

   As mentioned above, this isn’t unexpected when the body’s chemistry and function are readjusting to the medication’s presence. We’re incredibly confident in our protocol designed to support your digestive function.
   Food choices will also influence this, which we discuss at length in your initial consultation and along the way as your body offers us constant feedback.
   Digestive health is a pillar of overall health, we feel, so our team has an expansive background in options to help address any distress that is appearing. Many of our semaglutide users have had great results pairing semaglutide use with other VIVA Wellness services also aimed at supporting the body’s ability to detox and digest: colonics, lymphatic drainage treatments, infrared sauna, etc.

3. Abdominal discomfort, bloating

   Whether or not accompanied by nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea, there may be an overall sense of pain, bloating or tenderness in the abdomen as the body adjusts to the delayed gastric emptying. This is somewhat common and expected, but it generally resolves in about a week of use. Should it be experienced for a longer amount of time, we can adjust the dosing to a lower amount and slowly work up the amount. Again, this will be tailored to your body’s experience, a benefit to working closely with the team of VIVA NPs.
   While incredibly rare, if the pain is a bit severe or is not resolving quite quickly with dosing changes or small and frequent meals, please discuss with your NP. If the pain is severe, please contact 911.

4. Low energy, fatigue, detox symptoms

   You knew you’d hear this one eventually, but any sort of big change to the body’s food intake or adjustment to new chemistry may create disturbances to your energy. One thing that many are not aware of is that when we begin to eat less and our body goes into the processing of stored fat as energy, what’s also being processed is what is stored in that fat—toxins. You may be experiencing some general detox symptoms.
   We highly suggest lymphatic drainage treatments, lymphatic support and detox activities (castor oil packs, dry brushing, infrared sauna—all available at VIVA Wellness), and IV drips (and other IM injections both part of the protocol and available as an add-on) to assist your body as it processes the toxins as they make their way out of the system.

5. Emotion, mood, and hormonal changes

   Similar to 4, the circulation and processing of toxins that are catalyzed through semaglutide weight change may create some changes within your experience of your hormones and mood. Please share your experience of this with your NP. We have worked with thousands through their weight loss experience and have concepts, suggestions and other mental, emotional, and energetic health practitioners we can offer.
   For many who have relied on food and eating as emotional support or who have had a significant focus on weight loss for a sustained amount of time may find that the freed-up mental space or loss of their go-to emotional crutch leaves them without coping mechanisms. While this is ultimately a “good thing” and means that semaglutide is working, we know that change can be confronting! We are honored to support you with options. Freedom from food chatter and obsessing over desiring weight loss is supposed to feel like exactly that—freedom! If you are struggling at this stage in the weight loss journey, please remain open and allow your NP to support you.

6. Blood sugar changes

   While the whole mechanism that makes semaglutide effective is what it is doing to your body’s insulin response to eating, for some individuals this can create blood sugar changes that feel too variable or low. In most cases, we would be able to determine whether this is something you may experience before you start your program, but if you notice changes, please do let your NP know.
   We can’t reiterate enough the benefit of working with VIVA Wellness when taking semaglutide for our ability to support you with a custom, Nurse Practitioner-guided approach. Additionally, our wide range of services and depth of expertise allows us to take what can be a side-effect-heavy experience and make it into a simply effective weight loss program. Imagine the freedom of watching your body shed weight as you live your life free to think about things OTHER than weight, food, and movement. Regain trust in your body by supporting it.
   So while we’re talking about semaglutide and its side effects, we are absolutely confident in our approach to keeping them managed. Working with a healthcare provider in a high vibe, warm, supportive, and open-minded environment that is also fully resourced with the best of the medical world sets you up for incredible results with semaglutide that the weight loss community, celebrities, and thousands of individuals are raving about!

The VIVA Weight & Detox Protocol, our signature blend of services and products may use semaglutide as a component of the weight change aspect.

• You will receive the protocol through weekly injections. These include both the medication and our unique blend of other supportive items (two other IM injections and other oral supplements that further prevent nausea and constipation as well as support digestion.)
• Expect consistent, sustained results over time. The weight does release with time, though your NP may start with a quite small dose while your body adjusts, so expect a bit of uptick time.
• Anti-nausea support is automatic. VIVA Wellness and your dedicated NP make the experience easier by automatically prescribing anti-nausea relief medications and supplements that support metabolic health and detoxification pathways.
• You’ll have a dedicated Nurse Practitioner. Our staff of NPs guide you with customized dosing changes, no complicated pricing structure, and years of experience. Through our weekly support, we will make adjustments based on real-time feedback from your body and from your mental, emotional, and lifestyle experience. Your plan is tailored to YOU and your individual body.

Be in touch with our Nurse Practitioners to start the conversation regarding semaglutide assuming we confirm you are a suitable candidate! Book your consultation, and let’s get going creating the protocol that’s right for your current level of health, the unique factors that make you you—past, present, and future you.