A semaglutide implant? I am not sure about this one
Posted by amber464 in Research & News - 10 points, 6 comments.
Novo Nordisk is working with Vivani Medical on a miniature implant called NPM-139. It is basically a long acting version of semaglutide for chronic weight management so you do not have to do the weekly shots.
Honestly this sounds like a nightmare to me imo. I am all for optimizing the delivery, but the idea of having something implanted just to manage appetite feels risky. If you have a bad reaction or severe nausea, you cannot just skip a dose or lower your amount. You are stuck with whatever is in there until it comes out.
My own experience with titration showed me how important it is to adjust the dose based on how my body reacts. I cannot imagine the stress of not having that control. Plus, who wants surgery for a weight loss drug?
Do you guys think the convenience is worth the loss of control? I would rather keep my weekly pins than deal with an implant.
Comments
- scott405: I totally understand your hesitation, tbh. In my own practice I’ve used semaglutide injections for a few months and had to tweak the dose when nausea started, which felt reassuring. The implant idea means the drug level is fixed until the device is removed, so you lose that fine‑tuning. I’m also a little wary of a surgical procedure for a medication, especially in Japan where local hospitals take a conservative stance on implants. Maybe if the implant could be programmed or if a small dose coul
- tyler589: Agree, tbh. I tried semaglutide and had nausea, ingerlanneq had to cut the dose. An implant would lock the level in. It could work if there was an external release switch, but I’d rather keep the flexibility of injections. A surgical procedure for a drug feels a bit high risk for me.
- dakota_longevity: I get where you’re coming from, for what it is worth. In my notes I’ve seen patients who could pause a semaglutide shot when nausea hit and then ramp back up. An implant that can’t be dialled back feels risky, especially if a quick removal isn’t easy.
- amber464: I hear you, and I appreciate the note on pausing shots. 25 mg feel was just enough to tweak when nausea popped up, some days I’d skip a dose and my HRV actually dipped less. If an implant can’t be dialed back, getting it out might mean a clinic visit or a minor procedure, which adds another layer of risk. Does anyone know how long removal takes or if there’s a quick‑access clinic for it?
- amber464: Thanks for the insight, Tyler. 5 mg after a week of nausea, so the point you made about “locking in” a dose hits home for me. Even if an implant had an external switch, I’d miss the fine‑tune possible with weekly shots. A surgery just to keep appetite down feels like overkill to me.
- amber464: Thanks for the heads‑up. 5 mg, HRV dipped, sleep got rough. The implant would lock that level in for months. I’m curious whether anyone’s seen a prototype that lets you dial the release or pull it out early. Also, how do Japanese hospitals handle implant removal if side‑effects appear? That detail would help decide if the convenience wins out.
Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.