SEMAGLUTIDE belongs to the class of medications called 'anti-diabetic agents' used to improve glycaemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus when diet and exercise are not enough or when the other medicines are not enough to control your blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin, and the insulin produced does not drop your blood sugar as effectively as it could.
SEMAGLUTIDE comprises semaglutide. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 physiological hormone that promotes glycemic control via several mechanisms, including insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing postprandial glucagon secretion. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication.
Take SEMAGLUTIDE as prescribed. You are advised to take SEMAGLUTIDE for as long as your doctor has advised. In some cases, SEMAGLUTIDE may cause diabetic eye disease (retinopathy), feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), upset stomach or indigestion and inflamed stomach ('gastritis'). Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
It is recommended not to take SEMAGLUTIDE if you are allergic to any of its components. You should inform your doctor if you get eye problems. If you have significant and ongoing stomach pain, consult a doctor immediately, as this could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Avoiding alcohol is recommended to rule out any risk of lactic acidosis or other complications. SEMAGLUTIDE is not recommended to use in a pregnant woman or nursing mother, or children below 18 years of age. If you become pregnant while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately since your treatment will need to be modified. Caution should be exercised. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, your driving ability may be affected. Do not drive if these symptoms appear.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
SEMAGLUTIDE is used to treat type 2 diabetes in people 18 years and older. It is used when diet and exercise are not enough on their own or cannot use another diabetes medicine or when the other drugs are not enough to control or maintain your blood sugar levels. SEMAGLUTIDE comprises semaglutide. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 physiological hormone that promotes glycemic control via several mechanisms, including insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing postprandial glucagon secretion. Changes to diet and exercise are often combined with this medication.
It is recommended not to take SEMAGLUTIDE if you are allergic to any of its components. You should inform your doctor if you get eye problems, such as changes in vision, during treatment with this medicine as the SEMAGLUTIDE may lead to complications of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy). When taking this medication, you may feel nauseous (nausea), sick (vomiting), or have diarrhoea. These adverse effects may result in dehydration (loss of fluids). You must consume enough water to avoid dehydration, especially if you have kidney issues. If you have any questions or concerns, consult your doctor. If you have significant and ongoing stomach pain, consult a doctor immediately, as this could be a sign of an inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Avoiding alcohol is recommended to rule out any risk of lactic acidosis or other complications. SEMAGLUTIDE is not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, or people below 18 years of age. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately since your treatment will need to be modified.
Drug-Drug Interactions: SEMAGLUTIDE may have interaction with hormonal medications (e.g. levothyroxine), oral anticoagulants (warfarin), certain anti-diabetic medications (e.g. insulin), anti-cancer medications (e.g. bexarotene) and certain antibiotics (e.g. gatifloxacin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: SEMAGLUTIDE may interact with disease conditions, including suicidal behaviour and ideation, thyroid cancer, GI adverse events, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis and retinopathy.
It is advised to avoid alcohol intake since it may worsen the side effects like lactic acidosis and increase the risk of developing low blood sugar levels.
SEMAGLUTIDE is not recommended during pregnancy, as it is unknown if it affects your unborn baby. Please discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
SEMAGLUTIDE should not be used if you are breastfeeding because it is unknown whether it goes into breast milk. Please discuss this with your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Caution should be exercised. If your blood sugar is too low or too high, your driving ability may be affected. Do not drive if these symptoms appear.
Limited information was available for the use of SEMAGLUTIDE in patients suffering from liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using SEMAGLUTIDE in patients with liver impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Caution should be exercised in people with kidney impairment while using SEMAGLUTIDE. Inform your doctor before receiving the SEMAGLUTIDE if you have had a kidney impairment/disorder history. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
SEMAGLUTIDE is not indicated for children and adolescents under 18 since the safety and efficacy in this age range have not been verified.
Type 2 diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition in which your body does not produce enough insulin, and the insulin produced does not drop your blood sugar as effectively as it could. In some situations, your body may produce excessive blood sugar. If your blood sugar rises and stays high for an extended amount of time, it can cause problems such as heart disease, renal disease, eye abnormalities, and poor circulation in your limbs. Therefore it is critical to maintain your blood sugar levels balanced.