Part 1 – Offering Semaglutide Weight Loss Injections into Your Aesthetics Business: Everything You Need to Know
Welcome, medical spa owners, to a comprehensive guide on semaglutide peptide —a true game-changer in the world of wellness. In this guide, we’ve curated a wealth of information about semaglutide, unpacking how it differs from other products on the market and why it’s garnering so much attention.
I want to take this opportunity to point out this article is for prescribers and is my opinion, personal experience, and not legal or medical advice. This is a highly political field that is changing daily.
Let’s dive in!
What is semaglutide peptide?
Semaglutide is a GLP1 agonist. GLP1 is a naturally occurring hormone in our body that (among other functions) tells us that we are full. You will hear semaglutide called a “peptide-therapy” which is a term that simply means it is an external version of a naturally occurring hormone. We are seeing peptide therapy in all sorts of products including skincare products. It’s all the rage.
Why is it all the rage? For good reason. Up until this point in weight loss medicine, we have essentially had two tools at our disposal. Eat less and move more. Why is most of America overweight? Because those two tools are not enough for most people. The reason semaglutide is revolutionizing weight loss is because it addresses our weight at the hormonal level. Our weight is determined by an intertwined web of influences that are under our mental control and a host of hormones in our body. Some key players in our weight hormones are GLP1 (which tells us we are full), ghrelin (which tells us we are hungry), GIP (which we will discuss in the tirzepatide portion), and insulin.
Semaglutide was FDA approved via the STEP Trials and shown to have an average of 15% decrease in body weight. Weight loss is slow, typically 1 to 2 pounds per week. It is a once-a-week subcutaneous injection. I highly recommend reading this summary of the STEP Trials.
Is there an oral form of semaglutide? Is it effective?
There is an oral form of semaglutide, called Rybelsus. It is taken once a day. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss, it is a diabetes medication to lower blood glucose. Using the oral version for weight loss would be considered off-label and it is at the prescriber’s discretion to use medications off-label. It does not have the popularity of the injectable version. Absorption is typically less predictable via the oral version and in the studies thus far, weight loss is significantly less with the oral version of semaglutide. This is a rapidly evolving area, however.
How is semaglutide peptide different from weight loss drugs that came before it?
Most people have heard of phentermine or at least “Fen Phen” it’s banned combo drug that everyone took in the 90s. Phentermine is the biggest player in the market. It has some huge downsides, including its harsh cardiac side effects, increasing anxiety, and it is not safe for long-term use. It’s actually a scheduled medication because it’s chemical makeup is similar enough to amphetamines that it can be tampered with to make amphetamines (ahem, meth). The bright side is people drop a lot of weight quickly on phentermine. The downside is it is a stimulant that can only be used for short periods of time. And then all the weight (and often extra) piles back on without some other lasting life change.
Some other weight loss medications include Alli, Contrave, and some other meds that combine phentermine with other medications, including Topamax. And none of them are BOTH as effective as semaglutide peptide AND safe for long-term use. Just like any diet, when you stop the diet, the weight comes back. Same with short-term medications. Without other meaningful life changes, when the mediation stops, the weight piles back on.
In a nutshell, semaglutide is more effective and safe for long-term use, unlike its predecessors. It has led to a HGUE demand for this medication.
What is the difference between compounded semaglutide and Wegovy and Ozempic? Is compounded semaglutide FDA approved?
Semaglutide in its base form is the active pharmaceutical ingredient for both Wegovy and Ozempic. Wegovy is the brand name and is FDA approved for weight loss. Ozempic is the brand name and is FDA approved for diabetes. Both of these medications are still firmly under patent by Novo Nordisk.
Because of the sky rocket in demand and lack of supply, the FDA put both Wegovy and Ozempic on the FDA Drug Shortages list. When this happens, it opens the door for compounding pharmacies to produce semaglutide to help meet the demand. Compounded medications can be made and distributed with less regulations when a medication is on the FDA Drug Shortages list.
What on earth are semaglutide salts?
This terminology is very reminiscent of the bath salt epidemic. Like, someone protect the children!! I only include this topic since your patients may ask you about it. Semaglutide salts are referring to compound pharmacies that are combining semaglutide with sodium or other stabilizing elements to make a “salt” form which is typically more shelf stable. It entails combining an acid and a base to create a salt, think sodium chloride (NaCL). This salt form was not what was originally tested by the FDA and therefore is not FDA-approved. It is common practice for pharmacies to put medications into salt form. Not all compounding pharmacies are utilizing the salt form.
How does tirzepatide (Mounjaro) play into all of this?
So have I mentioned this area of medicine is pretty much changing on a daily basis? There is a new kid on the block which is tirzepatide. Tirzepatide is a GLP1 agonist PLUS a GIP. GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Peptide) primarily stimulates insulin secretion. This medication is currently FDA-approved for diabetes under the brand name Mounjaro form Lilly Pharmaceutical Company. It is currently being studied for weight loss by the FDA as well. Early studies seem to indicate that tirzepatide could be even more effective for weight loss than semaglutide peptide. And compounded tirzepatide is also available.
So why aren’t we seeing more about tirzepatide? Right now the costs associated with tirzepatide are much higher than semaglutide. And it remains to be seen if the increased potential for weight loss is clinically relevant yet. Tirzepatide does seem to have less nausea and constipation as side effects, which could make it a good option for those who cannot tolerate semaglutide. I do get into more details in the Semaglutide Cash-Based Start-up about the clinical details of these medications that I will not cover here.
Should I offer semaglutide peptides to my clients?
Now that you’ve learned the basics of semaglutide, it’s time to address the burning question: Should you offer semaglutide injections as part of your business?
In Part 2 of our Series, Have I missed the Boat on Starting a Semaglutide Business, we cover the business side of offering semaglutide to clients and will help you learn even more about this as a potential new income stream.
Ready to see how we can help even more?
- Book a FREE MENTORING call with us!
- Sign Up for our FREE Aesthetic Business Secrets email course.
- Download our (also free) Semaglutide Pharmacy Comparison Chart for an at-a-glance look at potential suppliers!
- And, check out our Semaglutide Course HERE!
