Semaglutide with B12: Boost energy and enhance weight loss
Semaglutide fatigue dragging you down? Vitamin B12 can help pick you up. Explore how this powerful combination is designed to combat the energy crash and keep you powered through your weight loss journey.
Key highlights
- Semaglutide with vitamin B12 may help prevent fatigue and encourage physical activity during your weight loss journey.
- Semaglutide with B12 is a compounded medication. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved, but are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacies.
- Make sure to get your compounded semaglutide prescription filled from a 503a state-licensed, PCAB-accredited pharmacy.
- Always consult with your doctor before starting a compounded weight loss medication.
The FDA approved semaglutide for type 2 diabetes and weight loss in people with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist that works on the GLP-1 receptors in the body to reduce appetite by delaying gastric emptying. Patients taking GLP-1 drugs lose weight faster, but they may experience side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, fatigue, dizziness, and hypoglycemia, along with other potential adverse events.
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble essential vitamin required for various bodily functions. It helps produce healthy red blood cells, supports the nervous system and brain function, and boosts immune system health. It also plays a vital role in energy metabolism and cell growth and repair. Your body cannot synthesize vitamin B12, so you must obtain it through food or supplements. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, anemia, and dizziness.
Patients using once-weekly semaglutide are advised to make lifestyle changes, including a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, to improve the efficacy of the drug for optimal weight loss. This often leads to fatigue and dizziness among patients, making it challenging to stay active and continue treatment. Some providers are now prescribing semaglutide with vitamin B12 to help you overcome fatigue and weakness during your weight loss treatment journey. By strategically combining the power of a GLP-1 agonist with the energy-producing properties of B12, this compounded drug aims to enhance your results and improve how you feel.
While compounded semaglutide with B12 is prepared under the supervision of healthcare professionals in a licensed compounding pharmacy, it is not FDA-approved. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting semaglutide.
This article includes a detailed guide on the role of B12 in combination with semaglutide, including potential benefits, side effects, and safety parameters. We’ve also answered the most commonly asked questions by patients considering semaglutide with vitamin B12.
Understanding semaglutide: The game changer for weight loss
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist drug that regulates blood glucose levels, appetite, and digestion in your body. It mimics the GLP-1 hormone produced in your intestines to regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. The drug works by promoting insulin release, delaying digestion, and increasing the transit time of food in the gastrointestinal tract.
Semaglutide injection is available under two brand names: Ozempic (approved for type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (approved for weight loss and heart disease prevention), manufactured by Novo Nordisk. These brand-name drugs are not the same as compounded semaglutide with B12.
Why combine semaglutide and B12?
Semaglutide has become popular for diabetes management and weight loss among patients. The popularity of the medication has even led to off-label use of Ozempic for weight management. While patients typically experience efficient weight loss, they might feel lethargic and fatigued while taking the medication because of GI side effects and reduced calorie intake. Nutritional supplementation, such as B12, can potentially help manage energy levels by breaking down available carbs, fats, and proteins into energy for routine tasks.
The combination of semaglutide and B12 offers a complementary approach where semaglutide regulates appetite and insulin release, whereas B12 maintains nerve function, supports red blood cell production, and converts foods into cellular energy.
The GLP-1 foundation: Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist drug that mimics the GLP-1 incretin hormone produced in the intestines. It performs three basic functions:
- Reduces appetite by signalling satiety to the brain and suppressing cravings
- Slows down digestion and delays gastric emptying to make you feel fuller for longer
- Stimulates insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release
Collectively, this helps keep your blood sugar in control and maintain a healthy weight.
The vital enhancer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is crucial in energy conversion within the body, ensuring that the food you consume is broken down efficiently to produce cellular energy. This provides you with the energy required to function effortlessly, especially when taking a low-calorie diet. Its role in red blood cell production and nerve health ensures a steady oxygen supply to body organs and may prevent numbness with rapid weight loss.
Research shows that people who used semaglutide had lower vitamin B12 levels (they also had bariatric surgery before using semaglutide), and another study concluded that people with obesity had lower B12 levels. Further studies are needed to confirm the lower B12 levels in relation to obesity or semaglutide use, and their effect when combined with GLP-1 drugs.
4 key benefits of choosing semaglutide with B12
Vitamin B12 can be a game-changer for some people who continuously feel lethargic when taking semaglutide. The role of B12 in producing energy for cellular activities and routine tasks can also improve adherence to the treatment.
1. Combat GLP-1 and diet-related fatigue
The Wegovy (semaglutide) patient information label by Novo Nordisk states that 11% of adults taking Wegovy 2.4 mg experience fatigue, and 8% felt dizzy.
When you eat less, your body starts conserving energy because of a sudden decrease in calorie intake.
B12 helps your body convert food into cellular energy (ATPs), even when taking a reduced-calorie diet.
Semaglutide with B12 might help meet your body’s vitamin B12 needs, supporting activity and physical exercise to facilitate weight loss.
2. Potentially reduce side effects
Adding B12 to semaglutide might help manage the common side effects of semaglutide.
Fish, seafood, meat, eggs, tofu, soy, oats, yogurt, and cheese are natural sources of vitamin B12. But, patients taking semaglutide may feel nauseous with one or more of these natural B12 sources.
In such situations, semaglutide supplemented with B12 makes it easier to take vitamin B12 without feeling nauseous.
While pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is typically considered helpful in reducing vomiting and nausea, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) mentions that cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) also significantly reduced vomiting episodes in pregnant women compared with placebo, indicating its role in nausea and vomiting management.
3. Support a healthy metabolism
A sudden reduction in your calorie intake can be a signal for your body to preserve energy for later use.
This can lead to fatigue, lethargy, and even resistance to weight loss, resulting from a slowed metabolism.
Vitamin B12 converts the carbs, fats, and proteins into ATPs to replenish energy and promote metabolism for efficient weight loss.
It particularly helps break down fats in your body, avoiding fat accumulation and releasing energy when using semaglutide for weight loss.
4. Potential B12 absorption issue
Semaglutide delays stomach emptying, which may also impact the absorption of food.
As semaglutide slows down digestion, it can also influence how nutrients are absorbed in the intestines. The slower movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine may delay the absorption of certain nutrients, such as carbohydrates and triglycerides. While current research does not show a notable reduction in B12 absorption, the changes in digestion could affect the absorption of nutrients, making it important to take supplements, including vitamin B12.
Semaglutide with B12 vs B6
Vitamin B12 promotes energy metabolism, red blood cell production, and nerve health. It converts food into usable energy and prevents fatigue when taking a low-calorie diet.
In comparison, vitamin B6 has a prominent role in hormone regulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, and protein synthesis. It produces serotonin and dopamine that influence the nausea center in the brain and help reduce nausea and morning sickness. Patients may take semaglutide with B12 or B6, depending on their preference.
Some semaglutide formulations also have both B6 and B12 to help relieve side effects, such as nausea, or prevent lethargy and fatigue in patients taking GLP-1 drugs for weight loss or type 2 diabetes.
What to expect from semaglutide with B12
While semaglutide with B12 makes it easy to co-administer both without taking them separately, you might want to consider a few factors. Here are the expected changes in the medication’s appearance and the therapeutic outcomes.
Administration and dosing
Semaglutide with B12 is administered the same way as semaglutide injections. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) of the upper thigh, stomach (abdomen), or upper arm once weekly. It is suggested to rotate the location of injection to avoid injection site reactions.
Compounding semaglutide allows personalized formulations for patients that are not commercially available. Compounded semaglutide with B12 is typically supplied in vials with syringes.
Always follow the prescribed treatment plan provided by your provider and do not make any changes to your weekly dose of semaglutide yourself without consulting with your provider.
Vitamin B12 supplements typically contain cyanocobalamin, which gives the compounded semaglutide with B12 a distinct pink color.
Expected timeline and results
Patients taking semaglutide injection start seeing changes in their weight within the first few weeks of starting once-weekly semaglutide, losing up to 10.9% of their weight within 6 months. In a 68-week clinical trial, participants receiving semaglutide experienced an average body-weight reduction of 14.9% from baseline.
B12 supplementation improves nerve health and lethargy, making it easier to adhere to a diet and physical exercise when taking semaglutide. Studies show improvement in chronic fatigue with the use of B complex supplementation. However, it does not directly contribute to faster weight loss.
Is semaglutide with B12 right for you?
Semaglutide is prescribed for:
- Weight loss in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m2 or greater (obesity)
- Weight loss in adult patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) of 27 kg/m2 or greater (overweight) in the presence of at least one weight-related comorbid condition (hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or dyslipidemia)
- Weight loss in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex (obesity)
- Reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (non-fatal myocardial infarction, CV death, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight
- Treating noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as NASH, with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (stages F2 to F3 fibrosis) in adults
Patients taking semaglutide for any of these conditions, especially weight loss, are typically suggested to maintain a low-carb and low-fat diet. This can sometimes make you feel tired. If you feel low on energy (fatigue), even when eating enough, semaglutide with B12 might help prevent this feeling of not having enough energy to carry out your routine tasks or workout.
It is recommended to talk to your doctor to discuss your health goals and needs, and make sure semaglutide with B12 is the right choice for you.
Safety, sourcing and legitimacy
Despite the presence of numerous pharmacies and suppliers providing semaglutide with B12, making the right choice can be challenging. Here’s how you can ensure the safety and legitimacy of the formulation.
Choose a reputable licensed compounding pharmacy
When buying semaglutide with B12, it is important to get your prescription filled from a reputable licensed compounding pharmacy.
Make sure that the prescription is filled by a 503a state-licensed, PCAB-accredited (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) pharmacy. This ensures that the medication is prepared with high-quality ingredients under the supervision of licensed healthcare professionals.
Understanding the formulation
It is important to know that compounded medications, such as semaglutide with B12, are not an FDA-approved drug.
The medication is prepared to help patients taking semaglutide get vitamin B12 to boost energy without the need for separate oral supplementation.
Semaglutide and B12 Subcutaneous injections also increase the bioavailability of the vitamin compared to oral dosage forms.
Red flags to avoid
When looking for semaglutide with B12, you will come across various pharmacies and online suppliers selling the compounded medication.
You must avoid sellers that provide you with compounded semaglutide without a prescription. At the same time, those without a compounding license and PCAB accreditation should also be avoided.
Make sure to consult a licensed U.S. healthcare provider, in-person or via telehealth consultation, to determine if the combination medication is the right choice for you.
Side effects and safety warnings
Patients taking semaglutide report experiencing gastrointestinal-related side effects, including vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, headache, and fatigue. Taking a combination of B12 and semaglutide, instead of semaglutide only, might help prevent fatigue and headaches.
Other than GI-related side effects, patients on semaglutide also report serious side effects, such as kidney problems, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, hypoglycemia, and severe allergic reactions. The medication comes with a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).
A complete screening by a licensed provider before starting semaglutide with B12 is important to find out if you are allergic to any or both of the ingredients. It also enables your doctor to evaluate your vitamin B12 levels to prevent overdosing. Kidney and liver function tests help ensure healthy functioning before you decide to start semaglutide with B12 to avoid compounding risks.
How to get started with semaglutide and B12
If you want to start semaglutide with B12, it is important to contact a doctor instead of self-medicating. Here’s what to consider before getting started with semaglutide and B12:
- Find a reputable telehealth provider or clinic that offers compounded medications for your needs.
- Before getting started on the medication, make sure to complete a comprehensive health assessment to find out your body’s current vitamin levels, kidney and liver function, and sensitivity to the active ingredients.
- When you have a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, you can fill it from your choice of compounding pharmacy.
- Even after getting started on semaglutide with B12, it is important to maintain ongoing follow-up with your healthcare provider to avoid compounding risks and ensure safe and efficient treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just take an oral B12 supplement with my regular semaglutide?
Yes, you can take a B12 supplement with your regular semaglutide subcutaneous injection to prevent fatigue and lethargy. The compounded semaglutide with B12 injection makes it convenient to take both drugs together and ensures higher bioavailability than oral B12 supplements, avoiding gastrointestinal absorption issues.
Will the B12 cause jitters or anxiety like caffeine?
B12 is not a stimulant and does not cause jitters or anxiety like caffeine. It supports cellular energy production and nerve health to make you feel less tired and prevent numbness.
Is this formulation safe for everyone?
Compounded semaglutide with B12 is generally safe, without any additional side effects. However, the safety of a medication for a specific person should be assessed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Semaglutide with B12 has the same contraindications and side effects as semaglutide, including the risk of thyroid C-cell cancer (such as multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2), pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, and serious allergic reactions.
How much more effective is it than semaglutide alone?
B12 does not accelerate weight loss or type 2 diabetes management in patients taking semaglutide. Instead, it might help tolerate the medication better and boost energy production to reduce weakness and fatigue when taking a low-calorie diet with semaglutide.
Semaglutide with B12 may be effective in staying energetic and supporting physical exercise, but it may not help you lose weight faster.
Conclusion: Semaglutide with B12 to counter energy loss for your weight loss journey
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that facilitates weight loss by delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite, along with a low-calorie diet and physical exercise. However, patients taking semaglutide might experience GI side effects, fatigue, and lethargy when taking the medication.
Healthcare providers are now prescribing semaglutide with vitamin B12 to prevent lethargy and provide cellular energy for physical activity and exercise. Compounded semaglutide with B12 is not FDA-approved, but is made by licensed compounding pharmacies under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
The addition of B12 does not boost weight loss, but may help combat the side effects of semaglutide, such as lethargy and dizziness, by promoting metabolism and increasing the availability of usable energy. There is no current research on the use of seamglutide with B12. More research is needed to confirm the effects of compounded semaglutide with B12 for weight loss.
Always consult a healthcare provider in person or online to determine the right medication for your needs, and get your prescription filled from a 503a state-licensed, PCAB-accredited pharmacy.
