Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — a class of medication that mimics a natural gut hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1. This hormone is released after eating and signals your brain that you're full, slows gastric emptying, and regulates blood sugar. Semaglutide is the most widely prescribed weight loss medication in history, with over 6 million patients worldwide.
The STEP clinical trial program enrolled over 4,500 patients. At 68 weeks on semaglutide 2.4mg, patients achieved an average weight loss of 15.3% — three times more than lifestyle intervention alone.
Source: Wilding JPH et al. N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989-1002. (STEP 1 Trial)
Semaglutide is started at a low dose and increased gradually over 16–20 weeks to allow your body to adapt and minimize side effects. Your physician adjusts your dose based on your progress and tolerance.
| Month | Weekly Dose | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | 0.25mg/week | Mild appetite reduction. Body adjusting. Minor nausea possible. |
| Month 2 | 0.5mg/week | Noticeable appetite suppression. First weight loss visible. |
| Month 3 | 1mg/week | Significant weight loss. Cravings substantially reduced. |
| Month 4 | 1.7mg/week | Accelerating results. Energy levels improving. |
| Month 5+ | 2.4mg/week (maintenance) | Full therapeutic dose. Sustained weight loss toward goal. |
Physician may adjust the schedule based on your individual response and tolerance. Some patients reach full dose faster; others prefer a slower titration.
Semaglutide has a well-characterized safety profile from 5+ years of real-world use. Most side effects are gastrointestinal, typically mild-to-moderate, and resolve within weeks of starting treatment.
Your NuvaMed physician will review your complete health history and current medications before prescribing, and will monitor you throughout treatment. Never start or stop GLP-1 therapy without physician guidance.
Both are excellent GLP-1 medications. The right choice depends on your BMI, budget, and how aggressive you want your treatment to be. Your physician will recommend the best option for your profile.
| Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand equivalent | Ozempic® / Wegovy® | Mounjaro® / Zepbound® |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 + GIP dual agonist |
| Avg weight loss | ~15% | ~21% |
| Clinical success rate | 83% | 91% |
| Starting dose | 0.25mg/week | 2.5mg/week |
| Best for BMI | 27–30 (overweight) | 30+ (obese) |
| Years of data | 5+ years | 3 years |
| NuvaMed price | $249/month | $299/month |
Your NuvaMed membership covers physician visit, ongoing clinical care, care-team messaging, and treatment management. Medication is dispensed by a licensed pharmacy; your total monthly cost is shown in full before you pay anything. You are not charged unless a physician approves treatment.
Cancel anytime from your patient portal. No phone calls, no cancellation fees.
A licensed NuvaMed physician will review your health profile and prescribe the right dose. Your first shipment arrives in days.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.