Just like with any medication, there are certain criteria that must be met before being prescribed Semaglutide. To be a successful candidate, you must either (1) have a BMI of 27 kg/m2 or higher while also having a coinciding weight-related ailment, or (2) have a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher.
 
Semaglutide is issued by prescription only, which means you’ll have to consult with your doctor before you can begin taking it. Your primary care physician will give you a full assessment to see if Semaglutide is the right weight loss option for you. If it is, they will help guide you towards the best ways to use it while also directing you towards appropriate lifestyle changes. If it’s not deemed suitable for you, your doctor will identify an alternative weight loss plan that is more suitable.

To get approved for a Semaglutide prescription, you have to go through your primary care physician or another approved medical professional. They will give you a full medical assessment and overview to ensure it’s the right option for you. This includes making sure that you fit the criteria for Semaglutide, which are:
 
• Having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above.
• Having a BMI of 27 or above while also having a coinciding weight-related medical condition.
• Not having a medical condition that would prevent safe use.
 
Your doctor will also want to ensure that you’re committed to making healthy lifestyle changes in addition to taking Semaglutide, as the two work hand in hand.

Semaglutide injections are not a suitable option for everyone, as certain factors and medical conditions can make it intolerable or unsafe for use. Your doctor may not issue you a Semaglutide prescription if you have/are:

• A current endocrine tumor.
• A family history of endocrine tumors.
• Eye disease.
• Vision problems.
• A history of pancreatitis.
• Kidney disease.
• Gastrointestinal (GI) issues.
• Thyroid cancer.
• A family history of thyroid cancer.
• Certain allergies.
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• Breast-feeding.
 
Your healthcare professional will do a thorough review of your medical history and all other relevant information before deciding whether or not Semaglutide injections may be right for you.

As Semaglutide is a hormone-based medication, it must be taken regularly over a prolonged period of time for optimal results. However, the overall length of time that you spend taking Semaglutide will vary depending on your starting weight, your weight loss goal, and how your body responds to the shots. This will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with your primary physician or weight loss specialist.
 
The FDA suggests that the optimal dose of Semaglutide medication must be increased to 2.4 mg over the course of 16 to 20 weeks for the best weight loss benefits. By slowly increasing the dose over this time frame, the likelihood of experiencing side effects (such as GI distress) is minimized.
 
You can stop taking Semaglutide injections once your target weight loss is achieved, though you should always speak to your provider beforehand. They will be able to guide you through the process of safely weaning off of it and how to mitigate any potential weight regain.
 
If you’re considering weight loss injections, contact us at Integrated HealthCare of South Florida. We would be happy to answer any questions that you have about our weight loss programs and get you booked for a consultation at your earliest convenience. We serve patients from Coral Springs FL, Coconut Creek FL, Margate FL, Parkland FL, Tamarac FL, Boca Raton FL, Sunrise FL, Lauderdale Lakes FL, and nearby areas.