Semaglutide is not for everyone. This viral medication has been on people’s minds for the past months. Although the average patient should tolerate semaglutide without problems, this isn’t always the case.
At first, semaglutide was approved as a diabetes medication and prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. Soon, doctors and patients began to notice a “side effect” of its mechanism of action—patients began to lose weight rapidly. So naturally, many started using semagludide specifically for weight loss, and its popularity quickly spread worldwide.
We’ll discuss whether you can safely take the medication. Keep reading to learn who shouldn’t take semaglutide and which side effects to expect.
Can Semaglutide Be Harmful?
Semaglutide is a regulated medication, meaning you would usually require a prescription to purchase it.
If you want to get a prescription for semaglutide for weight loss, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. People with a BMI of 27 could also get semaglutide prescribed if they have one weight-related condition.
If you don’t fall into any of these categories, it may be harder for you to get semaglutide prescription.
Who Should Avoid Semaglutide?
Certain groups of people should avoid semaglutide. Taking this medication could lead to the body rejecting it, resulting in severe side effects. Some risk groups include:
People with Allergies
If you’re allergic to semaglutide, you can’t take it. The risk of having an adverse side effect would be too high.
You may have to consider a weight loss alternative if this is your case.
People with Specific Conditions
There are three conditions we want you to be aware of:
Don’t take semaglutide if you’ve had thyroid tumors. You should also avoid the medication if you feel swelling, neck lumps, or shortness of breath.
Avoid semaglutide if you’ve experienced diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). If left untreated, DKA can even be life-threatening. Consider getting treated for DKA before starting any other medications.
Get expert advice if you have a history of stomach or intestinal disorders. Other issues to be aware of include pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney disease. It may not be safe for you to take semaglutide.
People with a Particular Medical History
You can’t take semaglutide if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). This condition involves gland tumors.
Additionally, you shouldn’t take this medication if you have a personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer.
Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women
Semaglutide could be risky for pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you’re planning to become pregnant, consider stopping your treatment at least two months before that. This is because you must maintain appropriate weight gain during your pregnancy.
On the other hand, semaglutide may not be safe during breastfeeding. If this is your case, you should consult with a professional.
Underage Patients
Most semaglutide medications are approved for use in adults. If you’re 18 years old (or older), it may be safe for you to start.
There’s an exception, though. Teens aged 12 or older may also take semaglutide to treat obesity. However, they should always seek advice and avoid taking the medication unsupervised.
What Drugs Cannot Be Taken with Semaglutide?
It’s crucial that you don’t mix semaglutide with some other medications. First, never mix semaglutide and other weight-loss medications. This could cause adverse effects.
Other medications to avoid are those that cause any changes in your blood sugar levels. Alcoholic drinks, for example, could cause low blood sugar levels.
There’s a huge list of medications that will interact with semaglutide. To stay safe, it’s better to consult with a medical professional.
Another important point is that you may have to monitor your blood sugar levels closely during your treatment. Beta-blockers, for example, target high blood pressure and certain health problems. However, they could hide the warning symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Other similar products include clonidine, reserpine, and guanethidine.
Which Side Effects Could You Experience After Taking Semaglutide?
Some common side effects related to semaglutide include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Other, more rare side effects that could require immediate help, include:
Blurred vision
Drowsiness due to low or high blood sugar levels
Trouble swallowing
Decreased urine output
Gallbladder problems
Heart palpitations
Dehydration
Is It Possible to Experience Side Effects Even If You Can Take Semaglutide?
Unfortunately, yes. All bodies react differently to semaglutide. It’s hard to know how yours will behave until you take it.
What we can tell you is that these side effects shouldn’t be too severe. If you follow your treatment plan correctly, there should be nothing to worry about.
How Can You Ease These Problems?
You can make the side effects easier on your body by adjusting your habits. If you feel symptoms related to low blood sugar, for example, you could drink fruit juice or sugar water. It’s also possible to eat glucose tablets, corn syrup, or even sugar cubes.
What if nausea is your main symptom? Consider taking anti-nausea drugs. They prevent most nausea and vomiting problems. If the pain or discomfort is too much to handle, you may also consider an IV treatment.
Keep in mind that some side effects are related to dosage increases. Usually, people start feeling worse when they take higher semaglutide doses. While it’s uncomfortable, it’s a normal part of the treatment.
Your body has to adapt to the extra quantity of semaglutide you’re giving it. The symptoms should go away after a few days or weeks.
Finally, the best tip we can give you is to create a solid diet and exercise program. Semaglutide won’t offer magic results on its own.
To get the maximum benefits of semaglutide, you should maintain a healthy lifestyle. This may involve changing habits like your sleeping schedule, diet, and exercise routines. Remember also to monitor your stress. Feeling overwhelmed could affect your results.
Can You Get Side Effects If You Miss a Dose?
A missed dose shouldn’t be much of a problem. However, to avoid harsh side effects, you should approach the situation correctly.
What should you do if you miss a dose? First, don’t panic. You can take the dose as soon as you can within five days. Once you take it, you can resume your regular treatment the next week. Don’t take the missed dose if the five-day period passed.
Never try to make up for the missed dose by taking double or triple injections. Doing this could make your side effects even worse.
Bottom Line
We hope this guide gave you a clearer idea of semaglutide’s effects. The key to a successful treatment is to stay safe. Don’t rush your decision.
Take your time to evaluate the pros and cons of this treatment. If there are more advantages than disadvantages, it’s time to take the plunge.
Are you struggling to find reputable vendors for semaglutide? Check out SEMA.bio and SemaGenex. They have a great selection of semaglutide products (and alternatives) that may interest you.
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