How long does it take for semaglutide to suppress appetite?

If you take semaglutide for weight loss, a decreased appetite is 1 of the first signs it’s working. But, how quickly can you expect results when taking semaglutide? And more specifically, how long does it take for semaglutide to suppress appetite?

Read on as we explore how long it takes semaglutide-based medications, like Wegovy, Ozempic, and compounded semaglutide to suppress appetite. We also share the other key details you want to know before taking these medications.

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Semaglutide starts suppressing appetite quickly

Semaglutide starts working as soon as you start taking it. Even so, you may not notice the full effects until the drug reaches a steady concentration in your bloodstream.  Some people report a lower appetite after their first dose of semaglutide, but it may take up to 3 months before you experience the drug’s full effects and see noticeable weight loss. 

Here’s a breakdown of how long it takes for semaglutide to suppress appetite week by week.

What affects how long it takes semaglutide to suppress appetite?

In order for semaglutide to suppress appetite, it needs to be taken as prescribed and injected weekly. Every 4 weeks, your healthcare provider will increase your dosage until you reach a maintenance dose that works for you. If you’re taking Ozempic or Wegovy, pick a day that’s convenient for you and take it on that day each week. 

Semaglutide is meant to be used in combination with lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise. Making these changes can make a big difference in how quickly you start to have a reduced appetite — both when you first start taking semaglutide and throughout your weight loss journey. 

How semaglutide works to suppress appetite

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. These GLP-1 medications work by mimicking the gut hormone GLP-1. Its receptors are in the same areas of your brain that regulate your appetite and influence how your brain perceives food as a reward. By activating these receptors, semaglutide suppresses appetite and changes the amount of pleasure you experience when eating certain foods. For example, you may not find heavy or fatty foods as pleasurable as before, which can lead you to eat less of them and lose weight.

Semaglutide also slows down your digestion. This leaves food in your stomach longer, so you may feel full sooner and not eat as much. Together, semaglutide’s effects work to enhance feelings of fullness, curb your appetite, and reduce cravings. 

How much weight can you lose on semaglutide?

Once you start taking semaglutide for weight loss, the amount of weight you lose depends on factors like your personal health situation, the lifestyle changes you make, and the dosage of semaglutide you’re taking. For example, people with type 2 diabetes tend to lose less weight on semaglutide than people with obesity or overweight who aren’t diabetic. People also tend to lose more weight on the higher Wegovy doses of semaglutide. 

Here’s how much weight you might lose with semaglutide at various benchmarks according to study data. 

Who can take semaglutide?

Semaglutide is FDA-approved under different brand names to treat different conditions. Both Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also reduces cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

Healthcare providers may prescribe Wegovy for weight loss in adults and children aged 12 and older with obesity, as well as adults with overweight and at least 1 weight-related health condition (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol). Wegovy is also approved to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight.

If you have obesity, overweight, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes, semaglutide may be a potential treatment option for you. However, it isn’t safe for everyone and is specifically contraindicated for people with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Semaglutide also isn’t recommended if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a history of diabetic retinopathy or pancreatitis
• Have kidney or gallbladder issues

What to expect if you take semaglutide

Semaglutide has different dosing regimens depending on whether you’re taking oral vs injectable semaglutide. The injectable versions of semaglutide — Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as compounded semaglutide — are injected once a week, on the same day each week, while Rybelsus is an oral tablet you take daily before breakfast. 

Side note: compounded semaglutide is a custom medication that can be formulated to reduce side effects or prevent allergies, among other things. It’s made at compounding pharmacies to meet the needs of an individual patient, or to help meet demand during a drug shortage.

As mentioned, you start taking semaglutide at a low dose and gradually increase. One reason for this is to help you prevent and manage side effects. They can vary from person to person and depend on the drug you’re taking. 

The most common side effects of Ozempic and Rybelsus include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation 
• Decreased appetite

In addition to these, Wegovy’s side effects include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Upset stomach or indigestion
• Dizziness
• Abdominal bloating
• Belching
• Flatulence
• Stomach flu
• Acid reflux 

The gastrointestinal side effects of semaglutide tend to be most intense at the beginning when your body is getting used to the medication, and at each dose increase. They tend to go away over time. But if side effects persist or interfere with your daily life, let your provider know. They can help you manage your side effects or suggest a different medication altogether. 

How to maximize weight loss on semaglutide

Maximizing weight loss on semaglutide starts with taking semaglutide as prescribed. That includes taking your dose on schedule, improving your diet, and increasing your physical activity. 

Dieting on semaglutide can take many forms. The goal is to adopt healthier eating habits that work for you — whether that’s practicing portion control, eating mindfully, or swapping out empty calories for more filling and nutritious options, like fiber and protein. 

Exercise can also affect your appetite, both immediately and on a long-term basis. And the positive effects of exercise on appetite become more apparent as you lose weight. As you become more physically active, you develop a better control over your appetite. You become more in tune with what your body needs, and eat accordingly. 

Also consider what other lifestyle changes you can make to boost weight loss on semaglutide. In addition to diet and exercise, the following practices can help you lose weight:

• Get a healthy amount of sleep each night
• Manage your stress levels
• Get treatment for any mental health conditions you have, such as anxiety treatment or depression treatment
• Limit how much you drink alcohol
• Stop smoking cigarettes

Key takeaway

• Semaglutide starts working quickly to reduce appetite and body weight. You may notice a drop in appetite after your first dose, and weight loss by 3 months.
• Semaglutide suppresses appetite by slowing down your digestion, so you feel full sooner, and by activating brain receptors that control appetite.
• Semaglutide may be prescribed to people with obesity, overweight, or type 2 diabetes who don’t have certain underlying conditions. 
• To maximize weight loss with semaglutide, take it as prescribed, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly.

Talk to a provider about semaglutide

Interested in semaglutide for weight loss? On Klarity Health, qualified healthcare professionals offer affordable, comprehensive weight loss treatment that may include medication, like semaglutide or something else. Find a weight loss provider on Klarity Health today.

Sources

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American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine: The Health Promoting Power of Daily Habits and Practices, James M. Rippe, MD, Jul. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6367881/ 

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NovoMedLink, Once-weekly Ozempic (semaglutide), injection mechanism of action, Novo Nordisk, Jan. 2023, https://www.novomedlink.com/diabetes/products/treatments/ozempic/about/mechanism-of-action.html

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The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. 

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