What Is Usema? USV Semaglutide for Weight Loss in India

Navigating Your Weight Health Journey in India

Managing weight is a personal journey, and in India, the conversation around health and wellness is evolving. New tools and treatments are becoming part of this discussion, offering more options for individuals working with their doctors to achieve their health goals. One such option that has recently become available is a medication called Usema.

This guide is designed to provide clear, practical information about what Usema is, how it works, and what you should consider discussing with your doctor. It's about empowering you with knowledge so you can have more informed conversations about your health. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication.

What Exactly is Usema?

Usema is the brand name for a medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide. It is manufactured and marketed in India by the pharmaceutical company USV Private Limited.

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. While that sounds complex, the way it works is by mimicking a natural process that already happens inside your body. It has been approved for use in managing type 2 diabetes and, in specific formulations and dosages, for chronic weight management.

How Does Semaglutide (Usema) Work?

To understand how Usema works, it helps to first understand the role of the natural hormone it imitates.

Understanding GLP-1

Your body naturally produces a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This hormone is released by your gut after you eat. It plays a few important roles in your body’s digestive and metabolic systems.

First, it signals to your brain that you are full, which helps regulate your appetite. Second, it slows down the process of gastric emptying—the rate at which food leaves your stomach. When your stomach empties more slowly, you feel satisfied and full for a longer period after a meal.

Mimicking a Natural Process

Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Usema, is designed to mimic the effects of your body's own GLP-1. By activating the same receptors, it helps to:

• Reduce Appetite: It enhances the feeling of fullness, or satiety, which can lead to reduced hunger and fewer food cravings.
• Slow Digestion: By slowing down how quickly your stomach empties, it prolongs the feeling of satisfaction after eating.

It's important to understand that Usema is not a substitute for lifestyle changes. Instead, it is intended to work as a tool alongside a balanced diet and regular physical activity, making it easier to adhere to these positive habits.

Who Might Be a Candidate for Usema?

Usema is a prescription medication, meaning it cannot be purchased over the counter. A qualified doctor must determine if it is an appropriate and safe option for you based on a thorough medical evaluation.

Generally, doctors consider GLP-1 medications for chronic weight management in adults who meet specific criteria related to their Body Mass Index (BMI). This often includes individuals with:

• Obesity (typically defined as a BMI of 30 or higher).
• Overweight (a BMI of 27 or higher) who also have at least one weight-related health condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

A doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your overall health, medical history, and treatment goals before making any recommendation.

What to Expect: The Treatment Process

If a doctor determines that Usema is a suitable option, they will explain the treatment process in detail.

How It's Administered

Usema is an injectable medication. It is typically administered once a week via a subcutaneous injection, which means it is injected just under the skin of the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

Your healthcare provider or their team will provide detailed training on how to use the injection pen and self-administer the medication safely and correctly at home.

Starting and Adjusting the Dose

Treatment with semaglutide usually begins with a low starting dose. This dose is then gradually increased over several weeks or months under your doctor's supervision. This process, known as dose escalation, is designed to help your body get used to the medication and to minimize the potential for side effects. Your doctor will create a specific dosing schedule tailored to your needs and tolerance.

A Conversation with Your Doctor: What to Discuss

An open and honest conversation with your doctor is the most critical step in exploring any new treatment. Here are some key topics to prepare for your discussion.

Your Complete Medical History

Be ready to share your full medical background. This includes any current or past health conditions, especially a personal or family history of thyroid C-cell tumours (like medullary thyroid carcinoma) or pancreatitis. Be sure to provide a complete list of all other medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Potential Side Effects

Like all medications, semaglutide can have side effects. The most common ones are gastrointestinal and may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, or stomach pain. For many people, these side effects are most common when starting the medication or after a dose increase, and they often decrease over time. It is crucial to report any side effects, especially if they are severe or persistent, to your doctor.

Lifestyle and Realistic Expectations

Discuss your current diet and exercise habits. Talk about your weight management goals and what you hope to achieve with the help of medication. It's important to have a realistic understanding that Usema is most effective when integrated into a broader lifestyle program. Ask your doctor about the roles of nutrition, physical activity, and long-term behavioural changes in your overall treatment plan.

A Holistic Approach to Weight Management

Successful and sustainable weight management is rarely about a single solution. It is a holistic process that involves building and maintaining healthy habits for the long term.

Medications like Usema can be a valuable component of a comprehensive plan, but they work best when combined with other foundational pillars of health:

• Balanced Nutrition: Focusing on a diet rich in whole foods, protein, fibre, and healthy fats.
• Regular Physical Activity: Finding enjoyable forms of movement and incorporating them into your routine.
• Behavioural Support: Developing strategies for managing stress, improving sleep, and addressing emotional eating.

Think of medication as a support system that helps you build a healthier relationship with food and your body, paving the way for lasting change.

Making an Informed Decision

Usema is a brand of semaglutide, a prescription medication now available in India for chronic weight management in certain individuals. It works by mimicking a natural hormone to help regulate appetite and food intake. The decision to start this or any medication is a significant one that should be made in close partnership with your doctor. By understanding how it works and what to discuss, you can take an active role in your health journey.

Consult your healthcare provider before starting any medication.

Sources

1. USV Private Limited. (2024, January 29). USV launches first-in-India Semaglutide in oral & injectable form, under the brand name Usema®. [Press Release]. https://usv.in/usv-launches-first-in-india-semaglutide-in-oral-injectable-form-under-the-brand-name-usema/
2. Wilding, J. P. H., et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989–1002. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
3. U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (2023). Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/prescription-medications-treat-overweight-obesity
4. World Health Organization (WHO). (2024, March 4). Obesity and overweight. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
5. Collins, L., & Costello, R. A. (2023). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/