Sematrinity 2mg Pre-Filled Pen delivers semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that Sun Pharm is manufacturing.
The product is packaged with 2mg of the drug contained in 1.5mL (1.34mg/mL) of solution and subcutaneously delivered. The pen features flexible dosing of 0.25mg or 0.5mg increments.
The drug helps to suppress your appetite by making you feel full and delaying the emptying of the stomach. It can lead to weight loss through less calorie consumption.
What is Sematrinity 2mg used for?
Sematrinity has semaglutide as its active ingredient, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Weight loss is a potential effect of semaglutide. Australia’s brand of semaglutide is called Wegovy, it has been specifically approved in conjunction with diet and exercise as a treatment for weight loss in chronically obese adults, or adults who are overweight but also suffer from at least one weight-related disease.
Therefore, Sematrinity should not automatically be considered interchangeable with a semaglutide product specifically registered for weight management. Its use for weight loss should be determined by a qualified healthcare professional.
How does Sematrinity work?
The drug semaglutide replicates the function of the natural hormone GLP-1, one of the substances in the body which regulates hunger and controls blood sugar levels.
To be specific, semaglutide does the following:
- Releases more insulin after a meal when blood glucose levels are high
- Decreases pancreatic secretions called glucagon
- Slows down gastric emptying
- Enhances the feeling of satiety
- Decreases the desire to eat
- Lowers total food consumption
All of those physiological effects, among others, can lead semaglutide to support the weight loss of patients in whom it is suitable, especially combined with changes in diet and lifestyle measures.
How to use Sematrinity 2mg Pre-Filled Pen
Sematrinity is administered as a subcutaneous injection, meaning it is injected under the skin.
Typical injection areas are:
- Abdomen
- Thigh
- Upper arm
Semaglutide injections usually are taken weekly. Dosing and schedule specifics should be decided by your doctor.
Australian-registered Wegovy semaglutide can be administered as a weekly injection, either with food or on an empty stomach. You may, of course, choose a new spot from time to time.
Important points when using the pen
- Use Sematrinity only as prescribed.
- Do not increase the dose without medical advice.
- Do not inject it into a vein or muscle.
- Use a new sterile needle as instructed.
- Check the solution before injection.
- Do not use the pen if the solution appears abnormal or contains visible particles.
- Rotate injection areas to reduce repeated irritation.
- Keep the pen away from other people’s use.
Sematrinity 0.25mg and 0.5mg dosing
The Sematrinity pen shown is designed to deliver 0.25mg or 0.5mg increments from the 2mg/1.5mL pen.
For semaglutide products used specifically for weight management, 0.25mg once weekly is generally the introductory dose, followed by 0.5mg after the initial four-week period if appropriate. Australian Wegovy guidance then increases the dose gradually to 1mg, 1.7mg and eventually 2.4mg as tolerated.
The lower starting dose is used to help reduce gastrointestinal side effects while the body adjusts.
Do not increase Sematrinity from 0.25mg to 0.5mg on your own. The appropriate dose depends on why it has been prescribed, your response and your tolerability.
What if you miss a Sematrinity dose?
If you miss a weekly semaglutide injection, do not automatically take an additional dose to compensate.
Missed Australian Wegovy dose can usually be made up within 5 days from the scheduled date of administration. However, if more than 5 days have passed, the missed dose will be skipped, and the regular weekly injection schedule will continue as usual.
Speak to your physician if you have missed multiple doses and want to take your medicine regularly again as at times a lower dose might be suitable.
Common side effects of Sematrinity
The most common side effects of semaglutide involve the digestive system, particularly when treatment is started or the dose is increased.
Possible effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Indigestion
- Bloating
- Reduced appetite
- Headache
These effects are often more noticeable during dose escalation and may become less troublesome as the body adjusts.
Drinking adequate fluids can be important if nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea occurs.
Serious side effects
If you feel intense abdominal pain for the whole day or if the pain gets worse after meals, it would be best to call a doctor. Severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back is a potential sign of pancreatitis and needs to be diagnosed urgently.
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea over a longer time could make you lose body water, and if this condition isn’t treated, the kidneys might fail.
Semaglutide may have effects on the gallbladder resulting in severe upper abdominal pain, fever or jaundice which require prompt evaluation.
On top of that, the TGA points out that people using GLP-1 medicines should let their healthcare provider know before procedures under general anaesthesia or deep sedation because these medicines can slow down gastric emptying.
Precautions before using Sematrinity
Tell your doctor if you have or have previously had:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones or other gallbladder disease
- Kidney disease
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Severe gastrointestinal disease
- Gastroparesis or delayed stomach emptying
- A serious allergy to semaglutide
- Problems with dehydration
- Other medicines for diabetes
Semaglutide can affect stomach emptying and may require additional consideration in people with significant gastrointestinal problems.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the contraindications of semaglutide. Australian semaglutide product information indicates that semaglutide remains in the system for a long time and therefore it’s recommended to discontinue treatment 2 months prior to a planned pregnancy.
If you get pregnant while on Sematrinity, inform your healthcare professional.
Sematrinity interactions
Tell your doctor about all the prescription medicine you use. It may also be necessary to tell the doctor the other prescription drugs you’ve used that were bought in a drugstore without a prescription and the supplements.
Semaglutide may slow down gastric emptying which may be responsible for the decrease in absorption of some oral drugs by the body.
In this way, it would be better to take care in using semaglutide combined with sulfonylureas and insulin since they may together cause hypoglycemia.
Never take Sematrinity together with another medicine for a similar target, GLP-1 receptors unless a doctor gives special permissions to do so.
How to store Sematrinity
Sematrinity should be refrigerated, stored between 2°C and 8°C, and never be frozen.
Presently Indian pharmacy information too also advises preserving the product refrigerator and shielding it from any improper storage conditions.
Store the pen covered, from light and far away from the reach of the children. It is important to note the storage guide that comes from the specific Sematrinity pack delivered to you at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Sematrinity 2mg be used when someone is already taking another diabetes injection?
It depends on the medicine. Sematrinity should not be combined with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically prescribed. If you use insulin or another glucose-lowering medicine, your doctor may need to adjust treatment and monitor you more closely.
2. Why can Sematrinity make me feel full sooner than usual?
Semaglutide acts on pathways involved in appetite and also slows gastric emptying. As a result, food may remain in the stomach for longer and feelings of fullness can last longer after a meal.
3. Can Sematrinity cause changes in blood sugar even if I am taking it mainly for weight reduction?
Yes. Semaglutide affects glucose regulation as well as appetite. This is particularly important if it is used alongside insulin, sulfonylureas or other diabetes medicines, because blood glucose may fall too low in some people.
4. Should Sematrinity be stopped if nausea starts after an injection?
Mild nausea can occur with semaglutide, especially when starting treatment or increasing the dose. It does not necessarily mean treatment needs to be stopped. However, severe or persistent nausea, repeated vomiting or an inability to keep fluids down should be discussed promptly with a healthcare professional.
References
- Healthdirect Australia – Wegovy (semaglutide) (Healthdirect)
- TGA – Wegovy registration and indication (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))
- TGA – Australian Public Assessment Report for Wegovy (Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA))
- Healthdirect Australia – Weight loss medicines (Healthdirect)
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Always follow the prescription and instructions supplied with your medicine.
