How Long Does It Take For Semaglutide To Suppress Appetite?

Semaglutide has recently picked up a lot of traction in the weight loss space. Many people use it to help assist with their weight goals. With so much information out there, it is important to become educated about weight loss medications if you or someone you know is considering starting one.

What Is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that has been approved to help treat and manage type II diabetes. [1] Semaglutide is available in several different brand-name medications, and each is unique in terms of how it works and how it is administered.

Semaglutide is effective at helping people manage blood sugar and lose weight due to its similar structure to human GLP. When people take semaglutide, it activates glucose-dependent insulin, slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, and affects the pancreas, which affects hunger hormones. [1]

The administration of semaglutide is typically done via an injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. As stated above, semaglutide comes in many forms and the dosage and duration in which this medication should be taken needs to be monitored by a qualified healthcare provider.

What Are the Effects of Semaglutide?

No medication is without side effects, and it is important to be aware of the possible side effects if choosing to begin semaglutide or any new medication. While side effects can also vary from person to person, there are well-documented effects of semaglutide.

Because semaglutide affects blood sugar levels, people may experience hypoglycemia, or blood sugar levels that are too low. [2] While this does not happen in all individuals and is not considered to be a high-risk side effect for those who are on lower doses, if an individual is taking semaglutide with other medications that can also affect insulin levels, this could be an area of concern. For this reason, oversight by a healthcare provider is warranted.

In addition, if people begin to make dietary changes while also starting semaglutide, blood sugar levels could be affected. For example, if someone begins to reduce their carbohydrate or sugar intake to try to assist with weight loss goals, blood sugar levels could get too low. If you are worried about this, talking with a healthcare provider may be helpful.

Another potential effect of semaglutide is gastrointestinal (GI) changes. These can be more common than blood sugar changes and can include symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [2] While these side effects are typically seen in people who are taking higher doses, it is something to be aware of.

It is also worth noting that some of the GI side effects can be managed with various dietary changes. Some of these changes can include [2]:

• Adjustment of portion sizes (eating smaller portions more frequently may help mitigate undesirable side effects)
• Eating more slowly
• Tuning into fullness cues to try to avoid eating past satiation (getting too full can increase feelings of nausea or likelihood of vomiting)
• Moderating fat intake (fat digests the slowest, so trying to ensure that you don’t eat too much fat in one sitting can be helpful)

If you need more personalized guidance on how to moderate your diet to help avoid GI distress, consult a healthcare practitioner for personalized recommendations.

Third, some people experience pancreatic side effects with semaglutide. Both pancreatitis and pancreatic cancers have been documented and this relationship is thought to be due to possible changes in digestive enzymes that can take place when taking semaglutide. [2]

Other less-common side effects that have been documented as a result of taking semaglutide can include [2]:

• Thyroid cancers
• Gallbladder dysfunction
• Increase in heart rate
• Acute kidney injury due to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Diabetic retinopathy, or changes in eye function in people who have diabetes
• Injection site allergic reactions

Does Semaglutide Suppress Appetite? How Long Does it Take to Work?

Part of the reason semaglutide works to help people lose weight has to do with its impact on hunger and satiety hormones. There is research to indicate that those who are on semaglutide report feeling more full and less hungry before and after eating. [3]

While this appetite suppression and increased feelings of fullness after eating may kick in sooner than later for some people, some research looks at this effect after about 20 weeks of taking semaglutide. [3]

The reduction in appetite is multifaceted, as appetite and food relationships are very personal. Some of the ways that semaglutide has been shown to help reduce appetite include [3]:

• More perceived control over eating episodes
• Fewer food cravings
• Less desire for certain types of foods, including savory, sweet, and dairy-based foods
• Increased feelings of fullness and contentment after eating

As mentioned above, there is not one set time when semaglutide may begin to kick in. Another study indicated that individuals started to notice changes in their appetite after about 12 weeks of taking the medication. [4] If you are curious about how long semaglutide may take to work for you, it is best to consult a qualified healthcare provider.

Other Lifestyle Changes to Support Weight Goals

It is typically not advised to begin a weight loss journey by taking medication as a first step. While medications can be helpful for many people, they tend to work best in conjunction with other lifestyle changes to help support your weight goals.

If you want to lose weight and have not made lifestyle changes, beginning with some of these changes may help you get optimal results [5]:

• Diet changes: Adjusting your diet can help many people achieve weight loss goals. Diet is not a one-size-fits-all and it is best to consult a dietitian or healthcare provider for personalized recommendations. Diet changes can include changes to both the quantity of foods consumed combined and the quality of foods consumed.
• Changes to eating windows: Some people may find it advantageous to adjust their eating windows during the day or the portions of foods consumed at certain times. For example, for many people, eating large amounts of food later in the evening is not as friendly metabolically as eating more balanced meals and snacks throughout the day.
• Movement: A movement routine is essential for optimizing health outcomes and weight goals. [6] Physical activity also does not have to be a one-size-fits-all, and, ultimately, finding a routine that you enjoy and that works best for you is key to long-term success.

If you are interested in beginning to take steps towards lifestyle changes that you can make to help support your weight goals, it is crucial to enlist a team of healthcare providers who can help you be successful. Weight journeys are multifaceted and unique to each individual and it can be hard for people to sort out which changes are best for them. Getting personalized guidance and recommendations is key to success.

Learn More About the Everlywell Weight Care+ Program and Medication Options

The Everylwell Weight Care+ program is a great jumping-off point if you are looking for extra support to tackle your weight goals. This program includes a personalized prescription from a healthcare provider for your unique needs, medications that are covered by insurance, and regular check-ins with qualified providers.

The team at Everlywell will assess your unique situation and let you know what makes the most sense for your needs. In addition, this program also includes at-home lab testing to make these recommendations even more applicable and precise. You can take these tests from the comfort of your home and results will be analyzed and provided to you from qualified providers. Take control of your weight journey today with Everlywell.

1. Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Published February 11, 2024. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL
2. Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of semaglutide. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645563. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL
3. Friedrichsen M, Breitschaft A, Tadayon S, Wizert A, Skovgaard D. The effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesity. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism. 2021;23(3):754-762. doi:10.1111/dom.14280. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL
4. Blundell J, Finlayson G, Axelsen M, et al. Effects of once‐weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity. Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism. 2017;19(9):1242-1251. doi:10.1111/dom.12932. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL
5. Kim JY. Optimal Diet Strategies for weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome. 2021;30(1):20-31. doi:10.7570/jomes20065. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL
6. Adults NOEIEP on the IE and Treatment of Obesity In. Summary of Evidence-Based Recommendations. Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults - NCBI Bookshelf. Published September 1, 1998. Accessed August 30, 2024. Medical Citation URL