Originally developed as a diabetes medication, semaglutide is also FDA-approved for weight loss

Seek immediate medical attention or call emergency services if you experience any of the following: Allergic reactions (severe, including anaphylaxis, angioedema, hives, rash, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty breathing) Changes in vision (worsening of diabetic retinopathy) Gallbladder problems (e.g., gallstones, inflammation, with symptoms like severe upper stomach pain, fever, clay-colored stools, jaundice) Kidney problems (including kidney failure, with symptoms like decreased urination, swelling, unusual tiredness) Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia, particularly if taking other diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas, with symptoms like anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, dizziness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery, hunger, irritability, light-headedness, mood changes, shakiness, slurred speech, sweating, weakness) Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas, with symptoms like severe and constant stomach pain radiating to your back, with or without vomiting, fast heart rate) Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer (symptoms may include a lump or swelling in the neck, trouble swallowing, hoarse voice, shortness of breath) Pulmonary aspiration (food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or procedures requiring anesthesia) Severe stomach problems (e.g., severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea leading to dehydration) Contraindications: The following is not an exhaustive list of contraindications

The anti-inflammatory and differentiating regulatory effects of GLP-1RAs demonstrate significant potential for alleviating and preventing liver inflammation and fibrosis
This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Yet even advocates for the drugs use acknowledge uncertainty about how long it would take for such health benefits to kick in, or whether shorter-term use would prevent or ameliorate longer-term illnesses
Our body naturally produces a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 or GLP-1 for short