Type-2 form of diabetes shows-up as insulin-resistance coupled with high levels of blood sugar. Signs include frequent urges to pee, staying thirsty at all times, an inexplicable loss of weight and an excessive level of tiredness. A few people have also observed slower rates of wound-healing, pins-and-needles sensation and being hungry often. It however takes a very long time for the condition to develop. Drugs such as semaglutide are prescribed to treat type-2 version of diabetes. But is semaglutide used for weight loss in non-diabetics? It is good to know more of this.
Anti-diabetic drugs chiefly focus on reducing blood-glucose levels. Most drugs are taken through the oral-route, and are hence known as oral anti-hyperglycemic medications. There are multiple types of such drugs; each is prescribed based on age, severity of diabetes mellitus and incidence of other ailments – if any. Diabetes mellitus type–2 is a condition spurred by cellular-level resistance to insulin. This type remains the most common form of diabetes.
Your treating doctor will assess how sensitive your organs are to insulin, rate of absorption of glucose at your gastric tract, quantum of insulin produced in your pancreas and also, extent of glucose excreted through urine. Some of these antidiabetic drugs also have anti-obesity properties; owing to these, such drugs are used for long-term management for obesity. Of the many drugs, semaglutide is one of the most popular meds.
Oral semaglutide for weight loss in non-diabetics
Semaglutide is often administered in addition to a workout plan and changes made to your daily diet. For those with a body mass index – BMI of more than 29 kg / sq. m., a higher dosage level of semaglutide is used. Also, those who are not very obese, but are of an overweight category – with a BMI of 26 kg / sq. m., dosage levels are maintained at higher levels. It is a very common practice to reduce calorific intake and perform physical activities to avoid risk of strokes and heart failure in people living with obesity.
This drug’s efficacy to treat obesity among those without diabetes is being studied. Empirical studies indicate an 18% reduction in wight among those who are non-diabetics. This drug can trigger loss of weight for > 60 weeks; also, the results were sustainable as high as 200-weeks. These losses in body – weight were observed in both males and females; belonging to all racial-groups as well as geographies.
Semaglutide for weight loss in non-diabetics side effects
Like all anti-diabetic drugs, semaglutide taken for weight loss can cause a few adverse effects. Commonly experienced outcomes are dyspepsia – showing-up as discharge of loose stools accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Those who have had prior spells of gallbladder-based problems or pancreas-related disorders must inform of such conditions to their caregiver. Moreover, if you had tumors in your thyroid-gland, your healthcare practitioner must be made aware of such cancerous conditions.
How does semaglutide work for weight loss in non-diabetics?
Semaglutide is usually prescribed along with a well-regimented exercise plan and alterations made to your daily food-habits. This drug is known to reduce a hormone called glucagon; it is responsible for the release of carbohydrates stored at your liver. These actions result in reducing your appetite levels. This further leads to lesser intake of foods. As a parallel activity, semaglutide also slows-down the rate of digestion inside your tummy. These actions eventually help you shed extra-flab from your body.
In essence, semaglutide belongs to genre called glucagon-mimicking peptide-1 receptor antagonist. It helps regulate your digestive process, and also streamlines the presence of sugars in your blood. Doctors prescribe it widely to supress your hunger levels, and also to signal fullness inside your stomach.
Lastly, you are advised to talk to your physician about semaglutide for weight loss among non-diabetics. As this is not an OTC med, always take it as per your doctor’s advice.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.
Education: Master’s in Epidemiology from Harvard University. Experience: 10 years of writing experience, including articles on infectious diseases and public health for leading health publications and research blogs.