Weight loss can be an uphill battle without the right guidance and support. Genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors can significantly influence the results and tolerance across different treatments and individuals. Semaglutide is a highly effective active ingredient in medications that promote weight loss in individuals who are obese or overweight with weight-related chronic conditions (1). However, with any medication comes the question of side effects — specifically, does Semaglutide make you tired? In this blog post, we'll explore Semaglutide in detail, its role in weight loss, and potential side effects, including fatigue, and provide recommendations for managing them.

Semaglutide For Weight Loss Explained

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a class of drugs that mimics the action of an incretin hormone. It enhances insulin secretion in response to meals and slows gastric emptying to help reduce appetite and food intake (1,2,3). When used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise, semaglutide promotes blood sugar regulation and weight loss. It is FDA-approved under the brand labels Ozempic® for type 2 diabetes and Wegovy® for weight loss. 

Semaglutide is one of the science-backed medications offered by Mochi Health as part of our comprehensive obesity medicine program. This medication, delivered once weekly via injection, has shown promising results for adults with overweight or obesity. It significantly impacts weight loss, body composition, and certain health indicators like hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea.

Why Does Semaglutide Make You Tired?

Like all medications, Semaglutide comes with a range of possible side effects. Individuals might experience fatigue, as reported in clinical trials that studied Semaglutide (4,5).  Although not the most common side effect, some individuals might experience tiredness as part of their body's adaptation to the medication or as an indirect result of changes in appetite and weight loss patterns due to decreased caloric intake. Furthermore, those experiencing unpleasant yet common gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may be experiencing fatigue as an indirect result of dehydration (1,2). 

Managing Fatigue and Tiredness While Using Semaglutide for Weight Loss

If you're experiencing fatigue while using Semaglutide, consider these tips:

• Hydration and Nutrition: Ensure you're drinking enough water and consuming a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. Consuming small meals throughout the day can help you reach your goals by minimizing unpleasant gastrointestinal discomfort and ensuring you’re getting enough calories to feel energized and ready to take on the day (6). If you’re feeling fatigued or lethargic and experiencing excessive diarrhea or vomiting after starting Semaglutide, talk with your provider right away, as you may be severely dehydrated and in need of medical attention or dose adjustments.

• Sleep Quality: Prioritize adequate, quality sleep to help your body rest and recover. Getting enough sleep has been linked to improved blood pressure, weight control, immune function, and cardiovascular health (7).

• Regular Exercise: Engage in light to moderate exercise to boost energy levels and combat feelings of fatigue (8). Incorporating physical activity into your routine can improve your overall well-being.

• Consult Your Provider: Your provider can help you identify the root causes of fatigue and practical strategies for managing side effects around your individual lifestyle. 

Get Personalized Weight Loss Support

While medications like Semaglutide offer significant benefits in weight management and obesity treatment, understanding and managing potential side effects such as fatigue is crucial for long-term success and well-being. At Mochi Health, the goal is to support your weight loss journey with personalized plans, direct access to licensed providers, and 24/7 customer support, ensuring you have the tools and guidance necessary to achieve your health goals.

If you're ready to take control of your weight loss with a program developed by real doctors committed to helping individuals with obesity, learn more about how Mochi Health can support you. Whether you're interested in exploring Semaglutide or other options, Mochi Health can help determine the best path for you.

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This post was written by our team of health writers for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your health. Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, and Zepbound® and their delivery device are registered trademarks. Mochi Health is a telehealth clinic that offers prescriptions for these products by medical necessity only as determined by a licensed health provider.

Sources

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2. Shah, M., & Vella, A. (2014). Effects of GLP-1 on appetite and weight. Reviews in endocrine & metabolic disorders, 15(3), 181–187. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11154-014-9289-5

3. Baggio, L. L., & Drucker, D. J. (2007). Biology of incretins: GLP-1 and GIP. Gastroenterology, 132(6), 2131–2157. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(07)00580-X/fulltext?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2F

4. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, revised 2020. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209637s003lbl.pdf

5. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Wegovy® (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. Access Data FDA. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/215256s007lbl.pdf

6. Gorgojo-Martínez, J. J., Mezquita-Raya, P., Carretero-Gómez, J., Castro, A., Cebrián-Cuenca, A., de Torres-Sánchez, A., García-de-Lucas, M. D., Núñez, J., Obaya, J. C., Soler, M. J., Górriz, J. L., & Rubio-Herrera, M. Á. (2022). Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus. Journal of clinical medicine, 12(1), 145. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12010145

7. Worley S. L. (2018). The Extraordinary Importance of Sleep: The Detrimental Effects of Inadequate Sleep on Health and Public Safety Drive an Explosion of Sleep Research. P & T : a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management, 43(12), 758–763. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/30559589/‍

8. Wender, C. L. A., Manninen, M., & O'Connor, P. J. (2022). The Effect of Chronic Exercise on Energy and Fatigue States: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials. Frontiers in psychology, 13, 907637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.907637