Is semaglutide injection necessary for long-term use in treating diabetes?

Semaglutide injection (Wegovy), as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, has been widely used in the treatment of diabetes. It can not only help diabetic patients control blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying and other mechanisms, but it can also improve insulin sensitivity and help with weight loss. Many patients with type 2 diabetes have significantly improved their blood sugar control after using semaglutide. However, whether long-term use of this drug is needed is an important issue for diabetic patients and doctors.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease often accompanied by insufficient insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Over time, people with diabetes may gradually worsen and their pancreatic islet function further decreases, so long-term treatment is often necessary. Semaglutide, as a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, can effectively help patients with type 2 diabetes maintain stable blood sugar levels. By promoting insulin secretion, reducing food intake and improving insulin sensitivity, semaglutide can effectively control postprandial blood sugar and long-term blood sugar levels (HbA1c), thereby reducing the occurrence of diabetic complications.

The benefits of long-term use of semaglutide are clear. First, it can not only help improve blood sugar control, but also reduce the patient's weight, which is especially important for obese patients with diabetes. Weight loss can help control blood sugar by improving the efficiency of insulin use. Studies have shown that patients who continue to use semaglutide can maintain lower blood sugar levels for a long time and have smaller blood sugar fluctuations, which is of great significance in reducing cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and other complications caused by diabetes.

However. Discontinuation of the drug may result in rebound blood sugar, especially in patients who rely on this drug to control blood sugar. Although some patients are able to improve their blood sugar by changing their diet and increasing exercise in the early stages of treatment, most patients with type 2 diabetes still require medication to maintain blood sugar stability.

Reference materials:https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/wegovy