Semaglutide is one of the best-known prescription weight-management medicines. At Conkright Aesthetics, Dr. J. Michael Conkright prescribes it when he decides it is right for you, after an in-person visit. He sees every patient himself.
What semaglutide is
Semaglutide belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. According to the prescribing information, it acts like a natural hormone, GLP-1, that helps regulate appetite and food intake. Semaglutide is made by Novo Nordisk and sold under several brand names.
FDA-approved semaglutide products
Wegovy (semaglutide injection). Wegovy is approved by the FDA for chronic weight management, along with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Its label also includes other approved uses, such as reducing the risk of certain heart events in some adults.
Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide). The Wegovy pill is a once-daily tablet approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. It is a choice for people who would rather not use an injection. Read more on our weight loss pills page.
Dr. Conkright prescribes FDA-approved medicines for most patients in the program.
A note on Ozempic
Ozempic is also semaglutide. Ozempic is approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes, not for weight loss. Any use of Ozempic for weight loss is an off-label decision Dr. Conkright makes patient by patient. If you came here searching for Ozempic, the visit is where that conversation happens.
How it is given
Wegovy is a once-weekly injection under the skin, given with a prefilled pen. The Wegovy pill is taken once a day, and its label has specific instructions about taking it with water and waiting before food or other medicines.
Per the prescribing information, the dose is started low and increased gradually over several weeks. Dr. Conkright sets your schedule at the visit. We do not publish doses here, because they are decided for each patient.
If you use the injection, our staff shows you how to use the pen before you leave.
Side effects
According to the prescribing information, the most common side effects of semaglutide are digestive: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain and similar effects. These are often most noticeable when starting or increasing the dose.
The label also warns about less common but serious problems, including pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems related to dehydration, and serious allergic reactions. It carries a boxed warning about a possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, seen in rodent studies. It should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or with MEN 2.
This is not a full list. See our side effects and safety page, and ask Dr. Conkright about your own situation at the visit.
Who may be a candidate
According to the Wegovy label, it is approved for adults with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related health condition. The label also covers some adolescents (the injection, ages 12 and older); our program is for adults.
Meeting a number is not the whole picture. Everyone who joins must pass the practice's criteria: an in-person first visit, a health screen, and Dr. Conkright's medical judgment. He looks at your full health history, your current medicines and your goals before deciding.
Compounded semaglutide
Compounded semaglutide is not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review compounded medicines for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are dispensed.
In our program, compounded semaglutide is used only for a small number of patients. Dr. Conkright prescribes it only when he determines that a particular patient has a specific medical need for it. It is prepared by a state-licensed 503A compounding pharmacy for that one patient and shipped overnight to the patient.
It is not a brand-name product and is not sold under any brand name. It is not a substitute we offer to everyone. For most patients, an FDA-approved medicine is the plan. Our compounded vs. brand-name page explains the difference in plain terms.
How to start
- Request a consultation online or call our office.
- Come in for your in-person visit with Dr. Conkright.
- Complete the health screen and talk through your history and goals.
- If the program fits, leave with a plan, and a prescription or your first medicine when he decides it is appropriate.
Costs are on our cost page. More detail is on how to start.
Questions
What is the difference between semaglutide and Wegovy?
Semaglutide is the medicine. Wegovy and the Wegovy pill are FDA-approved brand-name products that contain it and are approved for chronic weight management.
Can I get Ozempic for weight loss?
Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss. Any use of it for weight loss is an off-label decision Dr. Conkright makes patient by patient at the visit.
Is there a semaglutide pill?
Yes. The Wegovy pill is an FDA-approved once-daily tablet for chronic weight management.
What are the common side effects?
Per the prescribing information, the most common are digestive effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and constipation. Dr. Conkright reviews the full label with you.
Do you offer compounded semaglutide?
Only for a small number of patients, when Dr. Conkright determines a specific medical need. It is not FDA-approved, and the FDA does not review it for safety, effectiveness or quality before it is dispensed.
Can I start without an office visit?
No. Your first visit is in person, and Dr. Conkright sees you himself.
What does it cost?
See our cost page for the program fees. We do not accept insurance.