Published November 14 – World Diabetes Day
Every year on November 14, healthcare professionals, patients, and advocates around the globe come together to recognize World Diabetes Day—a day dedicated to awareness, education, prevention, and empowerment. This year, one medication continues to dominate headlines, clinic discussions, and social media buzz:
Semaglutide.
Some call it groundbreaking. Others call it over-hyped. So which is it—a game-changer or a cause for concern?
Let’s take a closer look at both evidence and lived experience.
What Is Semaglutide? A Quick Overview
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to help individuals with type 2 diabetes improve glycemic control. It works by:
- Stimulating insulin release
- Reducing glucagon
- Slowing gastric emptying
- Increasing satiety (feeling full)
It is available under brand names such as Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, and Wegovy®, and has gained enormous attention for its dual impact on blood glucose and weight reduction (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
Why Many Call It a Game-Changer
1. Major A1C Improvements
Patients commonly see A1C reductions of 0.6-1.6%, which is significant compared to many traditional diabetes medications (Cherney, et al., 2022).
2. Clinically Meaningful Weight Loss
Weight loss helps reduce insulin resistance, improve metabolic function, and support long-term control of type 2 diabetes (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
3. Cardiovascular Benefits
Clinical trials (such as SUSTAIN-6) show reduced risk of major cardiac events—critical for individuals with diabetes (Wong, Karthikeyan & FAN, 2024).
4. Convenient Weekly Dosing
Once-weekly injections improve adherence and give patients a sense of simplicity and freedom (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
A Real-World Success Story: Meet Maria
To understand why semaglutide is making such a difference, let’s look at Maria, a 52-year-old mother of three who has lived with type 2 diabetes for nearly a decade.
For years, Maria did everything right—doctor visits, oral medications, carb counting—and yet her A1C stubbornly hovered around 9.2%. Her provider recommended adding daily insulin injections, which helped temporarily but left Maria feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
The daily shots weren’t physically painful—just emotionally draining.
“Every injection felt like a reminder that I was losing the fight,” she later said.
Eventually, her provider suggested something new: semaglutide.
Maria agreed to try it.
Six months later, everything changed.
Her A1C dropped to 6.7%.
She lost nearly 20 pounds.
Her energy improved.
Her confidence improved.
And perhaps most life-changing of all—
She no longer needed daily injections. Only one shot once a week.
“I finally feel free,” Maria says. “My diabetes isn’t controlling me anymore—I’m in control of it.”
For patients like Maria, semaglutide hasn’t just improved numbers.
It has restored dignity, hope, and quality of life.
But Is There Cause for Concern?
As powerful as semaglutide is, it does come with limitations and risks.
1. GI Side Effects Are Common
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation affect many users—especially early in treatment (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
2. Cost & Access Barriers
Insurance restrictions and high out-of-pocket costs make it inaccessible for many who need it most.
3. Shortages & Off-Label Overuse
Celebrity hype has led to demand exceeding supply, affecting patients with diabetes who rely on it for glucose control (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
4. Important Safety Considerations
Semaglutide is not recommended for those with (Kommu & Whitfield, 2024) :
- Personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- MEN2
- Previous pancreatitis
It can also increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin or sulfonylureas(Kommu & Whitfield, 2024).
World Diabetes Day Reminder: Medication Is Only One Tool
While semaglutide is powerful, diabetes management remains a whole-person journey.
Successful long-term control also requires:
- Nutrition support
- Physical activity
- Monitoring and follow-up
- Preventive care and education
- Emotional and community support
Semaglutide may be a breakthrough, but it isn’t a standalone cure.
So—Game-Changer or Cause for Concern?
The truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Semaglutide can be transformational, especially for people like Maria who have struggled for years with traditional therapy.
But like any powerful medication, it demands thoughtful prescribing, patient education, and careful monitoring.
On this World Diabetes Day, it’s worth celebrating the progress medications like semaglutide represent—while also recommitting to safe, equitable, and compassionate diabetes care.
Because at the end of the day, diabetes management is about more than numbers—it’s about people, their stories, and their ability to live well and thrive.
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References:
Cherney, D, Hadjadj, S, Lawson, J, Mosenzon, O, Tuttle, K, Vrhnjak, B, Rasmussen, S, Bain, S. (2022). Hemoglobin A1c Reduction With the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide Is Independent of Baseline eGFR: post hoc Analysis of the SUSTAIN and PIONEER Programs. Kidney International Reports; 7(11).Pages 2345-2355,ISSN 2468-0249, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ekir.2022.07.167.
Kommu S, Whitfield P. (2024). Semaglutide. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Accessed: 11.14.25 from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603723/
Wong, N, Karthikeyan, H, & FAN, W. (2024). Abstract 4137914: Eligibility for Semaglutide in US Adults with Diabetes and Potentially Preventable Cardiovascular Events Projected from the SUSTAIN-6 Trial. Circulation; 150 (suppl 1). doi: 10.1161/circ.150.suppl_1.4137914
