That first month usually brings about a modest but significant weight loss of around 3 to 4% of your starting weight, and you get better results as you increase the dose. Semaglutide represents a major breakthrough in weight management, but it's not an overnight solution. Understanding the schedule for losing weight while taking semaglutide can help you set realistic expectations and keep you motivated. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect during the first month, three, six months, and more.
At six months, the results are even more impressive. Average weight loss continues to increase as the drug reaches its full potential. While individual results vary, studies and clinical trials have shown that many people experience noticeable weight loss within the first month after starting to take semaglutide. On average, study participants lost 3 to 5% of their initial body weight within four weeks when combined with lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Semaglutide may start to work in the first week.
People usually notice changes in appetite and weight during the first few weeks of use. Most weight loss usually occurs in the first 4 to 5 months. Semaglutide, originally approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has become popular as a weight-loss medication. Semaglutide injections for weight loss have been revolutionary for the control of obesity.
The rapid onset of action, driven by the activation of GLP-1, distinguishes semaglutide as an approved drug for weight loss. After the first month, your doctor will gradually increase your dose, usually to 0.5 mg per week, then to 1.0 mg, and possibly more, depending on the medication you're taking and your body's response. When you start taking semaglutide, your doctor will likely start you on a low dose (usually 0.25 mg once a week) for the first month). For example, patients who received higher doses experienced an average weight loss of 10.9% at 6 months compared to lower doses.
Whether you're still weighing yourself out if you're going to try the medication or if you're about to start taking it, you're probably wondering what you can really expect during the first month you take the medication. On average, people can expect to lose 5 to 10% of their body weight over several months while taking semaglutide. For example, a small study found that participants with a BMI of 27 or more lost an average of 14 pounds after three months of weekly injections. In fact, while some study participants with semaglutide lost weight starting in the first month, the most dramatic results came later, as doses increased.
For example, in one study, patients who took semaglutide lost an average of 6.7 kg (14.8 pounds) in the first 3 months, resulting in a 5.9% weight loss from their starting weight. Be patient with your body, celebrate small victories, and remember that the foundation you're building in these first few weeks will help you achieve more significant weight loss in the months ahead. Since both drugs contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide) and usually start at the same dose (0.25 mg per week), the results of the first month are usually similar. So what do the numbers really look like? Based on clinical trials, people taking semaglutide can expect to lose 3 to 4% of their initial body weight during the first month.
At six months, people without diabetes had lost 11.8% of their body weight, compared to 7.2% of people with diabetes.
