Semalix 7mg Tablet holds semaglutide, an oral form of GLP-1 receptor agonist. Each Semalix 7mg tablet is intended to be taken once daily. According to the instructions on the bottle, the Semalix comes only in the following tablets: 3mg, 7mg and 14mg.
It is the same type of medicine and is intended to be given to adults. Semaglutide can be effective to manage appetite and also to reduce food cravings thereby possibly leading to weight loss.
What is Semalix 7mg used for?
Semalix 7mg contains semaglutide, which activates GLP-1 receptors involved in blood glucose regulation and appetite control.
It can influence body weight. TGA information on oral semaglutide describes reduced appetite, increased satiety, reduced hunger and improved control of eating and food cravings, all of which can contribute to lower energy intake and weight reduction.
How does Semalix 7mg work?
Semalix contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite and blood glucose regulation. Semaglutide mimics some of its actions.
It can:
- Increase feelings of fullness
- Reduce hunger
- Reduce food cravings
- Reduce overall food intake
- Improve blood glucose control
- Slow gastric emptying, particularly after meals
These effects can contribute to weight reduction in people who respond to semaglutide.
How to take Semalix 7mg Tablet
Semalix 7mg is taken once daily on an empty stomach.
The way the tablet is taken is particularly important because oral semaglutide has very specific absorption requirements.
Steps for taking Semalix 7mg
- After having a fast overnight for at least 8 hours, take the tablet.
- Take it before having any food or drink.
- Swallow the tablet whole with 1/2 glass of plain water.
- Don’t crush, split, or chew the tablet.
- Wait at least half an hour before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medicines.
Waiting less than 30 minutes can reduce the amount of semaglutide absorbed into the body.
Can Semalix 7mg be taken with food?
No. Semalix should be taken on an empty stomach after fasting.
Food, other drinks and oral medicines should be avoided during the required 30-minute period after taking the tablet.
Semalix 7mg dosage
Semalix 7mg is generally not the starting dose.
The prescribing information recommends:
- 3mg once daily for the first month
- 7mg once daily after one month
- 14mg once daily may be considered after at least one month on 7mg when additional glycaemic control is needed
The recommended maintenance doses are 7mg or 14mg once daily, with 14mg being the maximum recommended daily dose.
The 7mg tablet should therefore normally be reached after starting with the lower 3mg dose.
Do not increase the dose yourself simply because weight loss appears slow. The appropriate dose depends on your treatment indication, response and tolerance.
Can Semalix 7mg help with weight loss?
In addition to influencing appetite and food intake, semaglutide is a medication that leads to weight loss in the human body.
Based on the assessment of TGA of the orally-ingested version, they established that a drop in body weight and fat came from reduced energy consumption, more sensations of fullness, less hunger, and fewer food desires.
What if you miss a Semalix 7mg dose?
If you accidentally miss a dose of Semalix you are required to take another tablet, you should skip the missed tablet only that day and have the normal tablet at the prescribed day and time for the next day.
Do not attempt to double up on the tablets that day in the hope to compensate for the missed dose. The package insert is very clear on this and says that missing a dose just needs to be skipped.
Common side effects
Digestive side effects are among the most common effects of oral semaglutide.
Possible side effects include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Indigestion
- Reduced appetite
- Bloating
These effects can be more noticeable when moving from 3mg to 7mg as the body adjusts to treatment.
When should you seek medical advice?
Contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe or persistent:
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach problems
- Symptoms of dehydration
Severe abdominal pain, particularly pain that may extend towards the back, can be a warning sign of pancreatitis.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea can also cause dehydration and potentially affect kidney function.
Semaglutide has also been associated with gallbladder-related problems and diabetic retinopathy complications in some patients.
Precautions before using Semalix 7mg
Tell your doctor if you have:
- A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Previous pancreatitis
- Gallstones or gallbladder disease
- Severe gastrointestinal disease
- Gastroparesis or significantly delayed stomach emptying
- Kidney problems
- Diabetic retinopathy
- A previous serious allergic reaction to semaglutide
Semalix should not be used in patients who have or have relatives with medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2. People having hypersensitivity to semaglutide or its ingredients should also be careful about using Semalix.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. Semaglutide should not be used during pregnancy.
For semaglutide products used for weight management, Australian product information recommends stopping treatment at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
Semalix 7mg and other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take.
Semaglutide can delay gastric emptying and may affect the absorption of some oral medicines.
Particular care may be required when semaglutide is used with:
- Insulin
- Sulfonylureas
- Other diabetes medicines
- Levothyroxine
- Warfarin or other coumarin medicines
- Other GLP-1 receptor agonists
Using semaglutide with insulin or a sulfonylurea can increase the risk of hypoglycaemia, so medical monitoring may be required.
Do not combine Semalix with another GLP-1 receptor agonist unless specifically instructed by your doctor.
Semalix 7mg and surgery
Let the surgeon and anaesthetist know if you are on Semalix if an operation or other procedure has been planned.
Semaglutide can cause a delay to gastric emptying. This can be a concern during a general anaesthetic or even deep sedation, because there is a risk of stomach contents entering the lungs.
Your medical staff can advise what action is best to take, in regard to your medicine, before the procedure.
How to store Semalix 7mg
According to prescribing information, Semalix tablets should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 30°C.
Keep the tablets:
- In their original blister
- Protected from moisture
- Protected from excessive heat
- Away from direct sunlight
- Out of reach of children
Australian Rybelsus 7mg information also specifies storage below 30°C.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Semalix 7mg be taken immediately after waking up?
Yes, but only if you have had your overnight fast as needed. Eat the tablet with no more than 120 ml of regular water and afterwards you are supposed to wait a minimum of 30 minutes before you have any food, drink, or take other oral medicines.
2. Does Semalix 7mg work differently from semaglutide injections?
The active ingredient is the same, but the route of administration is different.
Semaglutide 7mg (Semalix) pill is ingested, whereas injectable semaglutide weight-loss is given just below the skin. Because of the effect of how the tablet is taken on semaglutide absorption, the oral semaglutide pill is accompanied with some fasting requirements and the need to have a specific amount of water at the time of taking it.
3. Can Semalix 7mg be taken on the same morning as another prescription tablet?
Take it at different times. After drinking Semalix with water, you are advised to take the remaining oral medicines at least 30 minutes later. This way, the other medicines or food will not affect the absorption of semaglutide.
4. Is 7mg of Semalix a full daily tablet or part of a tablet?
The 7mg tablet is intended to be taken as one complete tablet once daily.
5. Can Semalix 7mg reduce cravings for high-fat foods?
It may. TGA’s assessment of oral semaglutide found that semaglutide can reduce food cravings and may reduce preference for high-fat foods. Individual responses vary, so this effect should not be expected to be identical for everyone.
References
- Healthdirect Australia – Rybelsus (Healthdirect)
- Healthdirect Australia – Wegovy (Healthdirect)
- 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, product information and instructions provided with your healthcare professional.
