Weight Loss · GLP-1
Semaglutide
One of the most extensively studied GLP-1 medications for weight management, available as a weekly injection or a daily tablet. For most patients this is where treatment starts.
Already know this is what you want? The second option books the appointment straight away. Not sure yet? See the labs first.
Your consult is free. We will not prescribe this, or anything, before a clinician has spoken with you. Final cost depends on the form and dose prescribed.
Mechanism
Quieting the food noise.
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a hormone your gut releases after eating. It slows how fast the stomach empties and signals fullness to the brain earlier and for longer.
Patients most often describe the effect as the mental chatter about food going quiet. Portions shrink without white-knuckle effort, and snacking between meals stops feeling automatic.
Because the effect depends on continued dosing, semaglutide works best paired with the eating and training habits that keep results once the dose stabilises.
Protocol
How treatment usually runs.
A typical schedule. Yours is set by your clinician, and adjusted as you go.
| Phase | Weeks | Typical | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 1–4 | 0.25 mg weekly | Tolerance only. Not a weight-loss dose. |
| Step up | 5–8 | 0.5 mg weekly | First therapeutic dose for most patients. |
| Build | 9–16 | 1.0–1.7 mg weekly | Raised only if side effects are manageable. |
| Maintenance | 17+ | 1.7–2.4 mg weekly | Lowest dose that maintains steady progress. |
What to expect
Honestly, over time.
Appetite softens
Meals feel bigger than they are. Mild nausea is common early.
Visible change
Weight begins moving measurably as you reach a therapeutic dose.
Consistent loss
The most reliable window. Protein and resistance work protect muscle.
Maintenance
Loss plateaus. Your provider sets a maintenance dose rather than stopping abruptly.
Evidence
What the research shows.
In the STEP-1 trial of Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg), adults with overweight or obesity lost an average of roughly 15% of body weight over 68 weeks, against about 2.4% on placebo.
Participants also received lifestyle counselling. Results in practice depend heavily on whether that support is actually delivered, which is why coaching is built into this program.
Results vary. Clinical trial results apply only to the FDA-approved branded medication specifically identified and do not apply to compounded medications. All medications must be prescribed by a licensed provider based on medical necessity.
Safety and eligibility
Your consult and labs screen for all of the following.
- Do not take with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2.
- Do not take if pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.
- Tell your provider about pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney disease or diabetic retinopathy.
- Common side effects are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, reflux and fatigue, worst after dose increases.
- Seek care immediately for severe persistent abdominal pain.
FAQ
Semaglutide questions.
In the STEP-1 trial of Wegovy® (semaglutide 2.4 mg), adults lost an average of about 15% of body weight over 68 weeks. Individual results vary widely with dose, adherence, diet and activity.
Generally no. Oral semaglutide produces smaller average weight reduction than the weekly injection, but adherence is often better for patients who will not use needles. Your provider will weigh both.
Appetite usually changes within one to two weeks of a therapeutic dose. Measurable weight change typically appears around week four to eight and continues as the dose increases.
If it has been fewer than five days, take it when you remember. If longer, skip it and resume your normal schedule. Never double up. Message your care team if you miss more than one week.
Every prescription is written by a licensed provider after a live visit and dispensed by a licensed pharmacy. Your provider prescribes only when it is clinically appropriate for you, orders bloodwork when your treatment calls for it, and reviews you on an ongoing basis.
We will not prescribe before we understand you.
Book a one-to-one consult with the clinical team. We talk through your goals, order the bloodwork that matters, and build a plan from what we find.