Limelight MD Medical Spa in Cincinnati has been offering a very successful medical weight loss program for the last 8 months. Patients are losing, on average, 15-20 lbs. over a four-month period. The program consist of generic Ozempic (semaglutide), Lipo B injections, Thermo-Suppress daily supplement, and Prolon Fast Mimicking Diet. Ozempic has gained wide recognition in the media over the last 6 months as more and more people take advantage of this ground breaking weight loss medication. Unfortunately, Ozempic has become in scarce supply and is priced way out of most people’s budget (on average Ozempic costs $1,300 per month). Fortunately, Limelight has been able to source generic semaglutide compounded by one of the most well-known and respected compounding pharmacy in the United States.
Patients often ask me, “What is Ozempic/semaglutide and how does it work?” Here is some general information about the medication.
Semaglutide is a medication that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss. This medication was originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but recent clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in promoting weight loss.
How does Semaglutide work?
Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs work by mimicking the effects of a natural hormone in the body called GLP-1, which is responsible for regulating blood sugar levels and suppressing appetite.
By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain, Semaglutide can reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness, leading to a decrease in food intake. Additionally, Semaglutide can slow down the emptying of the stomach, which also contributes to feelings of fullness. The drug is injected into the abdomen.
Clinical Trials
The efficacy of Semaglutide for weight loss was evaluated in two large clinical trials: STEP 1 and STEP 2. Both trials included participants who were overweight or obese and had no history of diabetes.
In the STEP 1 trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive either Semaglutide or a placebo injection once a week for 68 weeks. Participants who received Semaglutide lost an average of 14.9% of their body weight, while those who received the placebo lost an average of 2.4% of their body weight.
In the STEP 2 trial, participants were randomly assigned to receive either Semaglutide or a placebo injection once a week for 68 weeks. Participants who received Semaglutide lost an average of 15.3% of their body weight, while those who received the placebo lost an average of 2.6% of their body weight.
Both trials showed that Semaglutide was significantly more effective than placebo in promoting weight loss.
Side Effects
Like any medication, Semaglutide has potential side effects. The most common side effects that we see include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. These side effects are typically mild and tend to improve over time. Because of the potential for GI side effects, we increase the dose every month until you start to see weight loss. We can then stay at that dose or increase it slightly.
Rare but more serious side effects include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney damage. While these are consider possible side effects, we have not seen any of these in any of our patients.
Conclusion
Semaglutide is a promising medication for the treatment of obesity. Clinical trials have shown that it is significantly more effective than placebo or any other weight loss medication on the market in promoting weight loss.
Cost of the Weight Loss Program
Semaglutide plus Lipo B injections: $375/month
Prolon Fast Mimicking Diet: $150/month
Thermo-Suppress Supplement: $65/month