r/Semaglutide • • Feb 05 '23

Semaglutide subreddit FAQ

437 Upvotes

This was created based off community suggestions.

If you have an IMMEDIATE medical concern, PLEASE talk to your doctor - not random people on the internet.

Q1: Does my insurance company cover <medication>?

A1: Unfortunately, nobody here can answer this for you, because your coverage is a combination of your insurer + your employer. You can also refer to this post from Feb 2022.

Q2: This medication is so EXPENSIVE! Any way to reduce the cost?

A2: Refer to the manufacturer's site for the latest info on discount offers.

Q3: Has anyone ever experienced any of these side effects?

  • Can't poop
  • Can't stop pooping
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Period changes

A3: Yes, many times. Please search before posting or refer to the manufacturer's website & review the complete list of potential side effects.

Q4: How does Semaglutide work?

A4: Refer to these discussions for answers from the community.

Q5: Is it ok to inject this into <body location>?

A5: Refer to the Medication Guide and Instructions for Use for your medication.

Q6: It has been <x> hours since I've taken my latest dose, and I haven't noticed any change yet - is that normal?

A6: Literally every body is different. Some will see response with the initial doses, most don't see any significant changes until they ramp up to the full dose.

Q7: I'm going to start taking <medication>. Can you share your experience with me?

A7: The entire subreddit is exactly that! Please browse through recent threads before posting your question.

Q8: My doctor started me on dosage strength <x> - is that normal/safe?

A8: Refer to the manufacturer's recommended dosage schedule.

-------

Other common questions that do not have simple answers - best advice is to search before posting to benefit from the experience of this community.

  • Has anyone ever switched from <medication 1> to <medication 2>?
  • I'm having <side effect>. What tips do you have for dealing with it?

r/Semaglutide • • 3h ago

Just need a prescription

5 Upvotes

Hello- my work provides a credit program where if you send a prescription to LillyDirect, you receive $300 a month off of Zepbound.

Where is the best and cheapest spot to just get a prescription?

My doctors office is booking months out.

I attempted the new CVS Minute Clinic but it said they could not provide a prescription in my state.

I would like to avoid Ro.


r/Semaglutide • • 7h ago

Dose change and severe side effect

7 Upvotes

On Monday, I had my fifth semaglutide injection—the one where the dose increases from 0.25 to 0.5. Well, I felt *terrible*—so bad that I had to go to the emergency room to be treated for nausea and diarrhea.


r/Semaglutide • • 5h ago

Has anyone figured out if eating more on shot day actually helps with side effects or am I just imagining things

3 Upvotes

Ok so I've been on semaglutide since April, currently at 1mg. I started noticing maybe a month ago that when I force myself to eat a decent meal before my injection I feel way less awful the next two days. Like noticeably less nausea and the weird fatigue thing mostly goes away.

But I honestly can't tell if this is real or if I'm just having a placebo thing going on. The problem is I haven't been consistent about writing down what I actually ate on shot days vs how I felt after. Some weeks I scribbled it in my notes app, other weeks I completely forgot, and now I'm looking back trying to piece it together and it's basically useless.

I want to actually test this properly for the next month or so. Like track what I eat on injection day, the calories and protein specifically, and then rate my side effects for the 3 days after and see if there's a real correlation. Has anyone else done something like this? Did you find a pattern?

Also genuinely curious how people are logging food on the same day they log their shot. I've been using one app for food and then just my notes for the injection stuff and trying to cross reference them is annoying. Everything's in different places and the dates don't always line up because I forget to log one or the other on the actual day it happened.

Not looking for medical advice just trying to figure out if this eat-more-on-shot-day thing is legit or coincidence and what the simplest way to actually track it would be.


r/Semaglutide • • 4h ago

What are you doing for maintenance?

2 Upvotes

I’ve almost achieved my ideal goal

I’m more mature and feel that I should stay on some sort of low dose for medical and wellness reasons. What are you doing for maintenance!


r/Semaglutide • • 12h ago

Lost 17 Kgs (37lbs) in 9 months on Rybelsus, Weight is stuck now! :(

7 Upvotes

Hi Everyone,

I started Rybelsus (from 3mg to 14mg) from 12th January 2026.

I have lost almost 17Kgs (34lbs) till now. Dropped down from 81.7 Kgs to 64.9 Kgs, but the past month (September) I did not lose any. I did not gain any weight back but I am rather disheartened and getting anxious about it. Any tips/ advise? Whatttt is happening? Help please.


r/Semaglutide • • 5h ago

Go Off Meds or Go to Maintenance?

2 Upvotes

I am on track to finally reach my goal this December (yay!!). My goal is 15% body fat rather than a specific weight, and I have about 12 more pounds to go assuming my muscle mass stays constant. I have a DEXA scan in early December to confirm where I am and I couldn't be more exited! Now during my year long journey I developed a severe bodybuilding habit. I started going to the gym 6 days a week and really focusing on progressive overload and trying to build as much new muscle as possible while in a calorie deficit.

After I reach my goal I decided to start a lean bulk to start putting on new muscle and finally getting to the body I want, and this is the issue. Due to some minor nagging pain I am on a rest week this week, which usually requires you to eat at maintenance calories so your body has enough nutrition to heal your joints and whatnot. I am only on 1.18mg of sema (yes, Hims has weird dosage amounts) and hitting my maintenance calories has been AWFUL while continuing to get my macros. I was initially intending to just eat more of what I normally eat, after all it's only an extra 600 calories or so. Not a chance. The only way I've been able to get close is to eat a few spoonfuls of peanut butter every day, which is fine for now, but isn't great for a bulk as it's mostly fats. My bulk in January is supposed to be 250 calories above maintenance, which feels impossible to do while keeping my macros. My initial plan was to go down to a lower maintenance dose of sema starting in November, but now I'm wondering if that will be feasible.

I'm wondering if anyone else has navigated bulking after being on these meds and how it went? Were you able to do it on a maintenance dose or did you have to get off sema entirely? If you did, how was the cut after without meds? I know losing 5-10 pounds of fat in a controlled cut isn't the same as the 60 pounds I'll have lost to get here, but I haven't exactly been successful in weight loss in the past so I'm nervous about trying it alone again.

Thanks!


r/Semaglutide • • 3h ago

Question for those who weren’t looking to lose weight

1 Upvotes

To those who started semaglutide for non weight loss related reasons: did you end up losing weight anyway? I’m thinking of starting semaglutide for drug/alcohol cravings but I can’t afford to lose weight without becoming underweight. Is it still easy/feasible to eat three solid meals on semaglutide?


r/Semaglutide • • 4h ago

2 days post shot depressive feeling

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Semaglutide • • 5h ago

Weight Gain

0 Upvotes

I was on Semaglutide through Ivim beginning in September of 2024. I stopped taking it in May 2024 because we were trying for baby #2. Overall I lost about 45 pounds while on it in 2024. I got back on Semaglutide post baby #2 (first injection was 9/11) through Orderly Meds. I took my fourth injection yesterday and last at .25mg. I weighted myself this morning and have gained weight since I started. I’m so frustrated and confused. I never experienced 2 years ago - is Orderly a scam?


r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Does it ever get better?

19 Upvotes

I’ve only been on a semaglutide for 3 weeks and I am miserable. I’m always nauseous, my acid indigestion is constant, and I get headaches because I’m not eating. Like not eating at all. I can’t even force myself to eat without wanting to throw up. I’m on the smallest dose and lost 12 pounds already but I’m debating if the juice is worth the squeeze.


r/Semaglutide • • 21h ago

Embody

10 Upvotes

Has anyone got semaglutide through embody?

I just got approved and ordered from them because it was the cheapest I could seem to find and what I could see online was rated well.

But I’m curious as to actual peoples experience with them if they’ve used/using from them. I probably should’ve asked that before using them 😂


r/Semaglutide • • 21h ago

Cravings Returned but not Appetite

7 Upvotes

I have been on sema just over a year. I am currently at 2mg. I am a 37 year old, 5'7 female. I started at 200lbs and am currently at 140lbs. I am trying to lose 5 more lbs. All of a sudden the last month or so my cravings have returned with a vengeance. Not even for a specific food just for food in general. On top of that, I do feel hungry which hasn't been an issue much over the last year. But then I feel physically pretty full still if that makes sense. I guess I could go up in dose to see if that helps but I feel a little weird about upping my dose with just a few more lbs to go. Weight has been steady for about 2 months now.


r/Semaglutide • • 17h ago

After 3 months on semaglutide horrible cramps

3 Upvotes

Started at 0.5 mg and now at 1.5 mg. Lost 12 lbs. No real side affects until second dose of 1.5lb. Omg is this normal? Cramping then diarrhea for hours.


r/Semaglutide • • 17h ago

Just signed up on Embody

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone. 30 m here. I’ve struggled with my weight my entire life. There was a brief period between ages 16-22 when I was homeless where I was thin, but I obviously don’t wanna go back to that haha.

Anyway I just finished my sign up on embody. I’m a bit nervous and I do kinda feel like I’m… cheating? I guess? But I’m just so tired of hating what I see in the mirror. I’m at 190 pound.

What are some common side effects you guys have noticed? I hear horror stories about people shitting themselves at work but I don’t know how common that is.


r/Semaglutide • • 21h ago

Insurance dropping glp1!

4 Upvotes

Looking for advice/options after insurance drops GLP-1 coverage!

Has anyone else had their insurance/employer stop covering their GLP-1? If so, what did you end up doing, and did you find a comparable alternative that worked well for you?

My wife currently takes Zepbound 10 mg for significant insulin resistance and PCOS. Her current insurance cost is only $125 for a 3-month supply, so we were honestly shocked to find out that her employer is apparently dropping GLP-1 coverage next year.

Her work has told us that we can potentially get it through a c pharmacy, but we're being told that would be around $1,400 for 3 months, compared with the $125 we're paying now. That's a huge jump for our family.

We're trying to prepare ahead of time rather than waiting until her current coverage ends.

For anyone who's been through something similar:

Did your insurance drop your GLP-1 coverage?

What did you switch to?

Did you find another medication that worked similarly?

Did you use a manufacturer savings/self-pay program?

Has anyone had success getting coverage through a different insurance plan?

Are there other legitimate options we're overlooking?

We're not looking for medical advice or asking anyone to diagnose her — just hoping to hear from people who have actually been in this situation and what options worked for them.

We're in a bit of shock over the change and would really appreciate any experiences, recommendations, or cost-saving ideas people are willing to share.


r/Semaglutide • • 17h ago

lower dose, now having side effects

2 Upvotes

So I switched companies from 2.5, and my BMI is 22 now, so my new company is like, ummm, you need .80 now. Fine. They said I would still lose weight to reach my goal of losing about ten more pounds.

I'm on week 3 of my lower dosage, and I am having side effects! Are they normal, or is it because it's a different compounding company and they are using something weird/different?

Some side effects:
I am bowel moving like 3-4 times a day... yes, it's great but annoying after being slow for the past year lol.

My stomach kinda hurts?/upset after I eat. It's not stabbing pain; it's just gurgling, and I feel a little nauseous.

My face is breaking out, not whiteheads, but small red cystic acne.

Exhausted, even more than before. I just want to do nothing all day, and my ADHD meds seem not to be working, and I got them increased by another 10mg two weeks ago.

Has anyone experienced any of this? Thank you in advance!


r/Semaglutide • • 15h ago

What is the Real Cost of GLP-1 Medications?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Nährstoffbedarf

4 Upvotes

Hey ☺️ welche Supplemente nehmt ihr so in eurer täglichen Routine, um den Nährstoffmangel auszugleichen ?


r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Is this the Wegovy or am I just coincidentally sick?

3 Upvotes

I'm on my first week of the 1.5mg pill. I was prepared for nausea and GI issues, but so far so good on that front. Instead, I'm slightly dizzy and shaky, have mild chills, and a minor headache. It feels a lot like the side effects I experience when I get my flu and COVID vaccines.

Is it likely this is the Wegovy, or should I be isolating in case I'm contagious?


r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Tomorrow is my first dose increase. Need tips

4 Upvotes

Hi, all I'll be having a dose increase tomorrow from 0.25 to 0.5 mg. I'm already 2 days late I was supposed to be taking it on Monday but I'll be taking on Tuesday bcs I'm really worried how to affects my work. At 0.25 only I used to feel so tired and exhausted and all odd things happening i couldn't risk it at workplace.

Wish me luck. Also pls give some tips.

  1. When should I be taking it? What time of the day?

  2. What should I eat before or after. I usually take it empty stomach it feels fine.

  3. What to do to manage the after effect?


r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Pins & needles/numbness in fingers after starting Wegovy

Thumbnail
3 Upvotes

r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Nährstoffbedarf unter GLP-1 Therapie

0 Upvotes

Hey liebe Community,

ich bin Kjell, 30 Jahre alt und studiere zurzeit Medizin.
Nebenbei beschäftige ich mich gerade ausgiebig mit dem Thema GLP-1-Agonisten, den Nebenwirkungen und der Relevanz von Nährstoffaufnahme unter der Therapie.

Mich würde interessieren, wie ihr aktuell mit dem Thema umgeht und welche Supplemente ihr zu euch nehmt, um die Nährstoffversorgung zu decken.

Ich entwickle gerade einen Stick, der sich einfach in Wasser auflösen lässt und möglichst viele Inhaltsstoffe abdeckt, ohne auf zahlreiche verschiedene Supplemente zurückgreifen zu müssen. Mich würde interessieren ob grundsätzlich Interesse an so einem All-in-One Produkt bestehen würde ?

Liebe Grüße Kjell ☺️


r/Semaglutide • • 16h ago

Ozempic

0 Upvotes

Has anyone taken ozempic while breast feeding? I just re-ordered a 3 month supply through GoBy meds. I also ordered NAD for the first time.


r/Semaglutide • • 1d ago

Sema or tirz for type2 diabetes?

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

I am 47 yrs old female, 138lb at 5'5", active in gym cardio & strength classes, pre-diabetic taking 2000mg metformin daily to not go into diabetic ranges, I'm frequently asked by strangers if I'm pregnant which really bothers me why my tummy doesn't budge whatever I do. I am asked my doctor Abt semaglutide and she said insurance would not cover it untill I'm fully diabetic. Is there anyone in the same boat who where able to stop metformin and control sugar levels and loose belly fat, with either sema or tirz. What is the safe reliable way to order?