Unless you have been stuck under a rock over the last week, the word Semaglutide is highly likely to have crept in to your awareness. Semaglutide, marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, is in a class of medications called incretin mimetics. Initially intended to help with the management of diabetes, this medication is now hitting the headlines for its side effects of slowing the movement of food through the stomach, and decreasing appetite, thereby causing weight loss. So much so that semaglutide has now been approved by NICE for use as a weight loss therapy.
For anyone who has ever struggled with their weight (and the statistics suggest that would be more of us than not...) the notion of a weight loss ‘silver bullet’ is undeniably appealing – but does it live up to the hype? Read on for the ‘skinny’ on semaglutide!
How effective is semaglutide?
Short answer- VERY! Clinical trials thus far have produced impressive results- for example the Step 5 trial measured an average decrease in body weight over a 2 year period of 15.2% for patients using semaglutide, versus 2.6% with placebo.
Who can use semaglutide?
If that’s all sounding pretty ideal, then your next question could well be “Can I try it?”. The answer to that question depends on who you ask, and what you are trying to achieve. Whilst there will be no shortage in your social media feed of celebs using semaglutide to get ‘red carpet ready’, NICE guidance is quite clear that semaglutide should only be considered as an option in those who have:
a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35.0 kg/m2, and at least one other health concern relating to being overweight such as diabetes or high blood pressure
or a BMI of at least 30, if they meet certain additional criteria
the above thresholds may be reduced by 2.5 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family backgrounds.
NICE also states that it must only be used as part of a holistic weight loss programme, including dietary improvements and increased activity.
In other words, semaglutide is a highly effective weight loss aid, intended to get you back in to a ‘normal’ BMI range (i.e. 20-24.9). It is not intended as a pre-beach holiday tweak or for those stubborn last few kilos to get you in to a size zero dress.
Nor is it a license to eat whatever you want whilst staying wedged firmly on the sofa.
How do I take semaglutide?
Semaglutide can be taken in weekly subcutaneous injections (can be self administered after initial training), or daily tablets.
What is the potential down side of semaglutide?
As with any medication, there can be undesirable side effects. Participants in the STEP 5 trial reported side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. That said, the study states that those who experienced these reported them as being generally manageable, and that they improved over time. Your doctor will talk you through other rarer, more severe possible side effects. It is the possibility of side effects that mean that semaglutide is prescription only, and be used under proper medical supervision.
Can I get semaglutide prescribed privately through Winchester GP?
The short answer is YES! Our GPs are qualified to prescribe semaglutide, in accordance with the NICE guidelines outlined above. If you feel you meet those criteria, our doctors would certainly be happy to discuss this with you as an option. As with all elements of our practice, we stick to 'gold standard' protocols, so the prescription would come hand in hand with a clear plan to support you through positive dietary changes, and increased exercise, and we can also refer you to a nutritionist and/or exercise professionals to support you in between your monitoring consultations with your GP.
What are the next steps?
Start with a consultation with one of our doctors- this can be online or face to face. Some face to face contact will be needed throughout your journey, to monitor your progress. If you are not seeing significant results (at least 5% of body mass lost) after taking semaglutide for 6 months, your doctor may wish to discuss alternative options with you.
Whether or not semaglutide is the right answer for you, you can be assured all of our doctors understand that when it comes to weight management, the struggle is real . If you are ready to embark on the highly rewarding, if not always easy journey to a healthy weight, why not take that first step by booking a consultation with one of our non-judgemental and supportive doctors. Or contact our friendly reception team and they will be happy to get you booked in.
Wishing you well,
Winchester GP Team :-)
IMPORTANT UPDATE: September 2023 -
The MHRA (UK government) has asked all prescribers to refrain from prescribing Rybelsus and Ozempic 'off license’ for obesity management, in order to preserve current scarce supplies for diabetic patients. However, with the launch of Wegovy in the UK, the brand of semaglutide specifically licensed for weightloss, the medication can again be prescribed for weightloss. Do call 01962 776010 if you would like to discuss whether Wegovy is a suitable option for you.