Medical Weight Management and Semaglutide: What You Need to Know

Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can be challenging. Nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, medical conditions, medications, and other individual factors may all influence weight.

For eligible patients, a licensed healthcare provider may recommend prescription treatment as one part of a medically supervised weight-management program. Semaglutide is one medication that may be discussed during an individualized consultation.

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide belongs to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Certain commercially manufactured medications containing semaglutide have received FDA approval for specific uses and patient populations. FDA approval applies only to the particular medication, formulation, dosage, manufacturer, and indication reviewed by the FDA.

A healthcare provider must evaluate each patient individually to determine whether any prescription weight-management treatment is medically appropriate.

Are compounded semaglutide medications FDA-approved?

No. Compounded semaglutide medications are not FDA-approved.

The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed. Compounded medications should not be described as generic versions of, equivalent to, identical to, or the same as FDA-approved medications.

A compounded medication may only be considered following an individualized medical evaluation and when prescribed in accordance with applicable federal and state requirements.

The Wellness Lab does not represent compounded medications as FDA-approved or as equivalent to any FDA-approved medication.

Who may qualify for a medical weight-management program?

Eligibility is determined by a licensed healthcare provider and may depend on factors such as:

• Medical and weight history

• Current health conditions

• Current medications

• Previous weight-management efforts

• Potential medication interactions

• Contraindications and risk factors

• The provider’s independent medical judgment

Not everyone is a candidate for prescription treatment. Completing a consultation does not guarantee that a particular medication will be prescribed.

What happens during a consultation?

During a medical weight-management consultation, a licensed provider may:

• Review your medical history

• Discuss your weight-management goals

• Review medications and health conditions

• Evaluate possible risks and contraindications

• Discuss available treatment options

• Recommend nutrition and activity changes

• Determine whether laboratory testing is appropriate

• Establish an individualized follow-up plan

Treatment recommendations are based on each patient’s medical needs. A provider may recommend a prescription medication, a non-medication approach, additional testing, or referral to another healthcare professional.

What results should patients expect?

Individual experiences and results vary. No particular amount or rate of weight loss can be promised or guaranteed.

Prescription treatment, when appropriate, is generally used as one part of a broader weight-management plan. Nutrition, physical activity, behavioral changes, follow-up care, and continued medical monitoring may also be recommended.

The Wellness Lab does not claim that semaglutide or any compounded medication:

• Repairs muscles or tendons

• Enhances physical or athletic performance

• Increases cognitive function

• Increases or produces energy

• Produces guaranteed weight loss

• Produces results equivalent to an FDA-approved medication

Are there possible side effects?

All prescription medications may cause side effects.

Depending on the medication, possible side effects may include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal discomfort. Other warnings, risks, or contraindications may also apply.

Compounded injectable medications may present additional risks, including dosing errors caused by differences in concentration, measurement units, or administration instructions. Patients should use medications only as directed by their prescribing provider and dispensing pharmacy.

Patients should promptly contact their healthcare provider regarding severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Medical weight-management consultations at The Wellness Lab

The Wellness Lab offers individualized medical weight-management consultations in Naples, Fort Myers, and Miami.

During your consultation, a licensed medical provider will review your health history, discuss available options, and determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for a medically supervised program.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your health goals and learn about treatment options that may be appropriate for you.

Important medical and regulatory disclosure

This content is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for an evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded medications for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed.

The availability of any medication is subject to an individualized medical evaluation, the prescribing provider’s independent medical judgment, pharmacy availability, and applicable federal and state requirements.

Individual results vary. No result is promised or guaranteed.