Weight loss is a never-ending topic, but thanks to modern science. The anti-obesity injection is in the limelight for its tremendous results. So many people are eager to try this and achieve their desired weight. However, before incorporating it into your lifestyle, you need to know everything about it.
If you are planning to start semaglutide or planning some treatments and surgeries, you must know how long it stays in your system. In this blog, we will discuss how long semaglutide stays in your system, its half-life, and what semaglutide withdrawal symptoms your body may experience. We will also explore what side effects you will experience when stopping semaglutide,and how to save & get cheapest semaglutide injections.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is an GLP-1 receptor agonist and belongs to a class of medication known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. In the beginning, it was prescribed for type 2 diabetes patients, but it shows some amazing weight loss effects as well. The active ingredient in it helps to mimic the effect of GLP-1 hormones and regulates blood sugar levels. Moreover, it also helps to lower kidney diseases, strokes, and some cardiovascular diseases, which often come with diabetes issues. It helps suppress your appetite, which in turn reduces your cravings for unnecessary meals or midnight cravings. Unlike other diabetic medications, it is hassle-free and administered weekly, not daily.
Half life:
Compared to other medications for diabetes, it has a prolonged half-life. It has a half-life of about one week, which means it takes approximately seven days for the concentration of the drug in the blood to be reduced by half. Therefore, it will take approximately five weeks for the substance to remain in your system and for your body to eliminate it after the last dose. The maximum dose of semaglutide prescribed is 2 milligrams per week.
What happens if you stop taking semaglutide?
Understanding how the drug works is as important as knowing what effects we experience if we stop injections for any reason. When you’re taking the drug, you’re replacing natural GLP-1 with a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This means you’re enhancing your body’s natural processes.
But if you’re stopping semaglutide, your body experiences various metabolic changes. Firstly, the effect that’s boosting your natural GLP will be diminished, and you will experience high blood pressure and feel hungrier. The discontinuance returned with the original symptoms, known as rebound effects.
According to some studies, a 2021 investigation found that doctors administered semaglutide to nearly 2,000 people, advising them to follow a healthy diet and exercise regimen. The participants took 2.4 mg per week. After that, they stopped medications for 327 participants, and the doctors monitored them for one year.
By the end of the year, the result shows that the two to third of their weight they lost is back. Moreover, the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases is also increased with other metabolic diseases, such as a spike in blood sugar levels, slightly high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. All these factors came back to that before the treatment level.
Semaglutide withdrawal symptoms
When you give your body extra GLP or boost it and suddenly stop, it can cause withdrawal symptoms as your body gets used to it.
After stopping semaglutide, you may experience
- Sudden weight gain
- Increase appetite
- Increase appetite
- Increased blood sugar levels
- Increase the chance of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack.
- High cholesterol levels
- Elevated Blood pressure
As your body returns to its natural state, it may experience some additional secondary effects associated with discontinuation of the medication.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Chest Pain
- Shortness of Breath
- Dizziness
- Blur Vision
Managing Semaglutide withdrawal symptoms
The side effects may differ from person to person, depending on the duration and quantity of the dose, as well as any other underlying serious health conditions. It is not possible in every medication to eradicate the withdrawal symptoms, but we can manage the symptoms with various factors that help.
1- Tapering:
Semaglutide is known to be long-acting, but if you want to stop it for any reason. Your healthcare professional advice tapering the dose gradually so that your body can adjust to it slowly, given the low GLP activity. Tapering is the safest and most reliable method to stop it. Always seek professional help to taper your dose, as they manage the dose according to your body condition and prevent diabetic complications.
2- Lifestyle Changes:
Maximize Hydration: Drink plenty of water to manage potential side effects.
Physical Activity: Increase physical activity to manage weight.
Healthy Diet: Include a balanced diet that encompasses all food groups, including carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats.
3- Alternative Medication:
Your doctor may recommend other alternatives to prevent further health risks and manage blood sugar levels.
Where to get the cheapest semaglutide injection?
Cost is the major factor in stopping semaglutide.Many people stop it due to its high price and inability to pay each month with consistency. If you want to save money, opt for the assistance programs, discounts card, coupons codes, and pharmacies that provide compounded semaglutide injections. The compounded versions are way more affordable than the brands and without insurance. Moreover, if you can’t afford these, you can ask your prescriber to prescribe any other alternative or generic that costs less.
Conclusion:
Semaglutide is an GLP-1 receptor agonist that works as a long acting medication used primarily for type 2 diabetes. However, it is now used as a weight-loss injection, enhancing GLP-1 hormonal activity, which takes several weeks to leave the body. After stopping semaglutide, your body experiences semaglutide withdrawal symptoms or rebound effects. Last ,but the most important thing is how to save money and buy the cheapest semaglutide injections.
