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Semaglutide

Important disclaimer

This page is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed doctor, get baseline blood work, and proceed at your own risk.

In simple terms

Semaglutide is a pure GLP-1 peptide → the original that started the whole revolution (Ozempic / Wegovy).
It is slightly less powerful than tirzepatide, but it is cheaper, easier to find, and has the longest real-world track record.

Average results (clinical trials):

  • 12–15 % body weight in 48 weeks
  • 15–18 % in 68–72 weeks

Golden rule: Only increase when appetite comes back

Stay on the lowest dose that keeps you satisfied and losing 0.5–1 kg per week.
No need to rush to higher doses → many stay on 0.5 mg or 1.0 mg forever.

Week Suggested Dose (once weekly) Rule of Thumb
1–4 0.25 mg Mandatory starting dose
5–8 0.5 mg Most people stay here long-term
9–16 1.0 mg Move up only if hunger returns
17+ 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg Only if you truly plateau (rare in PH)

Real Filipino example

  • Month 1–8 → stay on 0.5 mg (still losing steadily)
  • Month 9+ → go to 1.0 mg only when weight loss slows
  • Year 2 → most stay on 0.5–1.0 mg maintenance forever

Expected Timeline

Time What most people experience
Week 1–2 Appetite drops sharply, possible nausea
Week 3–8 Steady 0.5–1 kg per week, clothes get loose
Month 3–6 8–15 kg down, face and waist noticeably smaller
Month 12 15–25 kg total loss is very common

Side Effects & How to Handle Them

Side effects are usually stronger than tirzepatide but fade after 4–8 weeks

  • Nausea & vomiting (more common than tirzepatide) → inject at night + small meals
  • Constipation or diarrhea → high fiber + 3 L water daily
  • Acid reflux / heartburn → avoid lying down right after eating
  • Tiredness first 2 weeks → normal while calories drop

Blood Work You Should Get

Test When Approx Cost (Hi-Precision / Healthway)
CBC + Fasting Glucose + HbA1c Baseline & every 3 months ₱1200–1800
Lipid panel Baseline & every 6 months ₱800–1200
TSH + Free T4 Baseline & every 6 months ₱1000–1500
ALT/AST (liver) Baseline & every 3 months ₱500–800

Bottom line

Semaglutide is the proven classic → slightly stronger nausea than tirzepatide but cheaper and works amazingly well.
Stay on the lowest effective dose for the best tolerance and long-term success.

Ready to start?

You’ve got this!