Semaglutide is one of two GLP-1 medications offered at Arkatiea Aesthetics & Wellness, alongside Tirzepatide. It's also the original — the medication that created the entire modern GLP-1 category, with more real-world data behind it than any other option on the market.
How Semaglutide Works
Mimics a hormone your body already produces after eating, acting on both appetite and digestion
How It Works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist — it mimics glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your gut naturally releases after eating. It acts on receptors in the brain to reduce appetite, and slows gastric emptying so food stays in the stomach longer, extending the feeling of fullness. It targets a single hormonal pathway, which is part of why Arkatiea positions it as the foundational, well-established starting option compared to Tirzepatide's dual-pathway approach.
The Original FDA Approval
Semaglutide (as Wegovy) received FDA approval for chronic weight management in June 2021 — the first new weight-loss medication approval in seven years. According to the official approval announcement, the pivotal STEP 1 trial showed patients taking Wegovy achieved an average weight loss of 14.9% of body weight at 68 weeks versus 2.4% for placebo, with 83.5% of patients achieving at least 5% body weight reduction. The most frequently reported side effects were nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain.
The Pivotal STEP 1 Trial Results
average body weight loss at 68 weeks on Wegovy (vs 2.4% for placebo)
of patients achieved at least 5% body weight reduction
duration of the pivotal STEP 1 trial
Newer Developments: More Options Than Ever
Semaglutide's approval history hasn't stood still since 2021. In December 2025, the FDA approved the first-ever oral semaglutide pill for weight loss, with the pivotal OASIS 4 trial showing a 16.6% mean weight loss at 64 weeks in patients who adhered to treatment — giving patients a needle-free option for the first time. Just a few months later, in March 2026, the FDA approved a higher 7.2 mg dose for patients who had already tolerated the standard 2.4 mg dose, with trial data showing 89% of patients achieved at least 5% weight loss compared to 38% on placebo, and a mean weight loss around 21%.
Semaglutide's Approval Timeline
Original FDA Approval
14.9% mean weight loss in the STEP 1 trial
First Oral Pill Approved
16.6% mean weight loss in the OASIS 4 trial
Higher 7.2 mg Dose
~21% mean weight loss, 89% hit 5% target
What to Expect
Semaglutide is administered as a simple once-weekly injection, with dosing gradually increased over several weeks to help minimize gastrointestinal side effects like nausea. Most people see initial appetite changes within the first few weeks, with weight loss building gradually over months rather than all at once.
Who Semaglutide Is a Good Fit For
Semaglutide tends to be the right starting point for clients who want the medication with the longest track record and the most extensive real-world data — five years of use across millions of patients, plus a growing menu of dosing options as your needs change. Clients seeking a more aggressive approach from the outset, or who don't respond as strongly to single-pathway GLP-1 therapy, sometimes move to Tirzepatide instead, which acts on two hormonal pathways rather than one.
Who Semaglutide Tends to Suit Best
Wants the medication with the longest track record
Values extensive real-world data (5+ years, millions of patients)
Prefers a foundational, well-established starting option
Likes a growing menu of dosing options as needs change
Where Arkatiea Fits In
Arkatiea Aesthetics & Wellness offers Semaglutide as part of a full GLP-1 weight loss program that also includes Tirzepatide — so your consultation with Katie Redburn, RN, backed by a review of your labs and health history, can determine the right medication and plan for your specific goals. Treatments are performed under the medical oversight of Hoder Independent Medical Consulting, PC.
Curious whether Semaglutide or another GLP-1 option is the right fit for you? Call 816-442-5520 or book a consultation online.