Versatile Therapeutics

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach out to us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide (The Weight Loss Peptide) injection is a treatment for obesity. It’s proven highly effective in clinical trials. It is administered through an injection (generally in the thigh) and is taken once per week. In order to take semaglutide, you’ll need to plan on weekly trips to your healthcare provider or be comfortable giving yourself injections.

Patients on semaglutide have reported losing as much as 80lbs, with clinical trials showing patients losing an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 68 weeks.

Patients must start semaglutide with a lower dose and gradually increase the dosage over 16-20 weeks in order to reduce the gastrointestinal side effects.

What is the difference between Semaglutide, Wegovy and Ozempic?

When discussing medications, there is usually a generic name and a Brand name.

In this case:

Semaglutide- is the generic name
Ozempic- is a Brand name
Wegovy- is a Brand name

All of the medications are essentially the same.

How does taking Semaglutide result in so much weight loss?

By mimicking the naturally occurring peptide hormone known as GLP-1, Semaglutide produces weight loss by stimulating insulin release and effectively reducing appetite.

1. Stimulating insulin release results in better stabilization in blood sugars which is an essential part of weight loss

2. Semaglutide not only reduces appetite but increases the satisfaction after eating. Even if you do not have a full stomach, the medication acts on the receptors in the stomach and the brain that are responsible for satiety (satisfaction after eating).

The Semaglutide Weight Loss Program works best with a low carb diet. A thorough discussion of dietary recommendations will be discussed with you by our providers.

Who cannot take Semaglutide?

Although Semaglutide is a safe therapy approved by the FDA for weight loss, it is not safe if you have any of the following:

diabetic retinopathy (eye damage resulting from diabetes)
impaired kidney function
thyroid cancer
family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
kidney disease (/w likely reduction in kidney function)
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
low blood sugar
multiple endocrine neoplasia (type 2)

If you have any of the above conditions, please schedule a virtual consultation with our provider to discuss our other weight loss therapies that may be right for you.

How is the medication administered?

This medication is given subcutaneously. That means it is administered in the "fatty" areas of our body: abdomen, arms, thighs. using a tiny insulin needle (you will hardly feel it).

How often is the medication administered?

Once Weekly

How long will I need to take the medication?

There are no strict protocols to determine how long you should take this medication. In the clinical trial, the patients took the medication for 52-68 weeks.

Our recommendation is to continue the medication until you reach your goal weight.

The Science

If you want to take a deep dive into the clinical trial that led to the FDA approving Semaglutide as the first weight loss drug in 15 years, you can find it here.

But we thought you may also want to read a quick summary:

The trial lasted about 16 months
The mean change in body weight from baseline to week 68 (16 months) was −14.9% in the semaglutide group as compared with −2.4% with placebo
The change in body weight from baseline to week 68 was −15.3 kg (33.6 lbs) in the semaglutide group as compared with −2.6 kg (5.72 lbs) in the placebo group
Some participants dropped out of the trial due to nausea and diarrhea, but most determined the side effects were mild and easily managed. (Our providers have noticed these side effects are significantly reduced when the medication is titrated slowly).

Another article titled Semaglutide for Weight Loss discovered that in addition to weight loss as discussed above, 40-50% of trial participants reported an improved quality of life.

How can I get started?

We are happy to help!

Schedule your Weight Loss Visit in clinic or Virtually with our provider
The visit will include a comprehensive evaluation with measurements, EKG*, Baseline Lab Work*, dietary and exercise recommendations and access to the private patient-provider portal for messaging.
Medication will be mailed directly to your home with needles included.
We encourage all clients to enroll for a minimum of 3 months (enjoy $50 off month 2 and 3). This is because the mediation requires titration (start at a smaller dose to monitor for side effects before increasing doe up to maintenance).

Want to Learn More?

What Other's Are Sharing About their Experience

Wegovy is the brand name for semaglutide. She lost 35 pounds

Listen to a summary of the Clinical Trial that led to FDA Approval

Learn about the results of the trial, how much weight loss was observed amongst patients vs in the placebo group and the most common side effects.

Medscape's Opinion on Semaglutide

Medscape is the leading online global destination for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide, offering the latest medical news and expert perspectives.