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How long does it take for semaglutide to suppress appetite?

​​Amelia Willson

Written by ​​Amelia Willson

Published: Aug 27, 2024

Medically Reviewed by Dhruv Patel, BSPS, RPh

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How long does it take for semaglutide to suppress appetite?
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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 is the active ingredient in Wegovy and compounded semaglutide. They start working as soon as you start taking them. 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, 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.

Time on semaglutideEffects
Weeks 1–3Semaglutide starts working. You may notice effects on your appetite, such as feeling full sooner during a meal or less hungry than normal.
Weeks 4–5The concentration of semaglutide reaches a steady level in your bloodstream. Your appetite may continue to drop.
Weeks 7–12You have less appetite than before taking semaglutide. You may feel you have more control over your eating habits. You may also notice that your cravings for certain foods have changed, and you find fatty or heavy foods less appealing than before. In 1 study, people ate 24% fewer calories at the 12-week mark. People typically start to notice weight loss during this time.
Weeks 12–20+By week 20 or earlier, you’ve ramped up to the highest maintenance dose of semaglutide. In 1 study, people reported fewer, less intense food cravings at this point. And, they ate 35% fewer calories compared to when they started. You continue to experience weight loss during this time.

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 (semaglutide) to treat type 2 diabetes or Wegovy for weight loss, pick a day that’s convenient for you and take it on that day each week. 

Wegovy and compounded semaglutide are 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. 

Time on semaglutideAmount of weight loss
Week 12Up to 6%
Week 20Up to 10.6%
Week 24Up to 11%
Week 68Up to 17.4%

Who can take semaglutide?

Wegovy (semaglutide) is U.S. Food and Drug Administration-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 or compounded semaglutide. Wegovy is FDA-approved 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, Wegovy or compounded semaglutide may also 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).

Wegovy 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

Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus, and compounded semaglutide have different dosing regimens depending on whether you’re taking oral vs injectable semaglutide or treating weight or type 2 diabetes. 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.

You start taking your medication 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 a semaglutide-based medication 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 Wegovy or compounded semaglutide starts with taking your medication 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, as the active ingredient in Wegovy or compounded 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.
  • Wegovy or compounded 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 Wegovy or compounded semaglutide for weight loss? On Klarity Health, qualified healthcare professionals offer affordable, comprehensive weight loss treatment that may include medication, like Wegovy, compounded semaglutide or something else. Find a weight loss provider on Klarity Health today.

Sources

Advances in Therapy, Efficacy of GLP-1 RA approved for weight management in patients with or without diabetes: A narrative review, Mojca Jensterle, et al., May 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9063254/

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/ 

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, The role of dietary fibers in regulating appetite, an overview of mechanisms and weight consequences, Masoumeh Akhlaghi, Oct. 2022, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36193993/

DailyMed, Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79

DailyMed, Label: Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27f15fac-7d98-4114-a2ec-92494a91da98

DailyMed, Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection solution, https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b

Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity, John Blundell, PhD, et al., May 2017, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573908/

Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, The effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesity, Martin Friedrichsen, PhD, et al., Jan. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7898914/

European Journal of Nutrition, Dietary protein and appetite sensations in individuals with overweight and obesity: a systematic review, Kenia M. B. de Carvalho, et al., Jul. 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32648023/ 

JAMA, Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial, Domenica Rubino, MD, et al., Mar. 2021, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7988425/

JAMA Network Open, Weight Loss Outcomes Associated with Semaglutide Treatment for Patients with Overweight or Obesity, Wissam Ghusn, MD, et al., Sept. 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9486455/

Journal of Nutritional Science, Is reduction in appetite beneficial for body weight management in the context of overweight and obesity? Yes, according to the SATIN (Satiety Innovation) study, Thea Toft Hansen, et al., Nov. 2019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6984007/ 

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

Nutrients, Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Appetite, Energy Intake, and Appetite-Related Hormones: The Modulating Effect of Adiposity, Sex, and Habitual Physical Activity, James Dorling, et al., Aug. 2018, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164815/

Obesity Reviews: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, Appetite control and energy balance: impact of exercise, J. E. Blundell, et al., Feb. 2015, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25614205/  

*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.

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. 

How we reviewed this article: This article goes through rigorous fact-checking by a team of medical reviewers. Reviewers are trained medical professionals who ensure each article contains the most up-to-date information, and that medical details have been correctly interpreted by the author.

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