With powerful and successful weight loss drugs like Wegovy gaining in popularity, you would be forgiven for thinking it can offer you a quick fix to lose some pounds.
Wegovy, or semaglutide, is approved by the FDA for weight loss if you suffer from obesity, or if you are overweight and also have weight-related health conditions. It is available in a lower dose and is sold under the brand name Ozempic, which helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels, and sometimes it can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Both Wegovy and Ozempic come from the drug manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
How Does Wegovy Work?
Wegovy is an injectable drug created by Nova Nordisk. Wegovy is an FDA-approved drug for the specific use of chronic weight management. It can be prescribed and used if you have obesity or weight-related medical conditions. Like Ozempic, Wegovy also uses the active ingredient semaglutide to facilitate weight loss and duplicate the function of GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide-1, which is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body.
By doing this cloning, Wegovy can now help regulate your food intake and also delay your gastric emptying making you feel full longer. This then leads to a decreased appetite and any cravings, which will induce weight loss. The drug also stimulates natural insulin release, which controls your blood sugar spikes after meals. Using Wegovy in conjunction with a balanced and controlled diet and an increase in your exercise and physical activity, this approach has been proven effective and safe.
This approach does not force your body to burn extra fat. Rather, it manipulates your natural body processes to encourage your body to eliminate excessive fat. You should see visible results within the time frames specified by Nova, making it a reliable option and weight loss solution.
What Causes Hair Loss?
Hair loss is not listed as one of the common negative side effects of taking Wegovy. The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or constipation. When your body experiences intense emotional or physical stress, such as weight loss, it can halt non-essential functions, like hair growth, to preserve nutrients. In the case of using semaglutide, you need adequate caloric intake for normal hair growth to take place. When you engage in a severe calorie-restrictive diet, it will impact your hair growth.
Hair loss usually occurs three to six months after this period of physical stress, because it takes time for your hair cycle to shift into a new phase. You can introduce a hair supplement like Biotin, which may help, but the telogen effluvium usually ends on its own after several months.
When taking the Wegovy injections you should be aware of your reduced caloric intake and avoid a severe calorie restriction, which will lead to nutrient deficiency. Keep enough protein in your diet so you also sleep well at night.
Other possible serious side effects of Ozempic and Wegovy can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and kidney problems, among other issues, according to the manufacturer.