What should elderly people pay attention to when using Semaglutide?

What should elderly people pay attention to when using Semaglutide? How to adjust medication before and after surgery? Can allergic individuals use it safely? These questions regarding special scenarios and physical conditions are the core concerns of elderly patients and those in need of surgery, directly related to medication safety and treatment continuity.
Elderly medication needs to balance safety and tolerability. Elderly patients aged 65 and above do not need to adjust the starting dose (still 0.5mg/week), but it is recommended to extend the dose adjustment cycle to 6-8 weeks to avoid adverse reactions caused by slow body metabolism; Elderly people over 75 years old should use it after being evaluated for liver and kidney function and cardiovascular status by a doctor. During medication, blood glucose and blood pressure monitoring should be strengthened. If symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue occur, it should be promptly checked whether it is hypoglycemia or drug intolerance. Clinical data shows that the incidence of adverse reactions in elderly patients is similar to that in adults, and most of them are mild gastrointestinal reactions, with overall good safety.
There are clear and standardized medication adjustments before and after surgery. Semaglutide should be temporarily suspended one week before elective surgery to avoid its impact on gastrointestinal emptying and increase the risk of aspiration during anesthesia; If medication cannot be stopped in advance during emergency surgery, the anesthesiologist’s medication history should be informed in order to take targeted protective measures. After surgery, it is necessary to wait for the recovery of gastrointestinal function (such as exhaust and normal eating) before resuming the original dosage of medication. Do not rush to restart to avoid increasing the burden on the gastrointestinal tract after surgery.
Allergy management requires mastering the correct methods. The incidence of allergic reactions to Semaglutide is less than 0.3%, and common symptoms include rash and itching at the injection site. Severe allergies (such as difficulty breathing) are extremely rare. Individuals with allergies should inform their doctor before taking medication, and it is recommended to observe for 30 minutes after the first injection before leaving; If mild local allergies occur, apply calamine lotion to relieve them and avoid scratching; If there are systemic allergic symptoms, stop taking the medication immediately and seek medical attention.
Whether you are seeking advice for elderly family members or have a surgical plan, mastering the medication guidelines for Semaglutide in special scenarios is essential for ensuring more secure treatment. If optimization suggestions are needed for specific surgical types (such as gastrointestinal surgery, cardiovascular surgery) or elderly comorbidities (such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease), further adjustments can be made at any time.