Semaglutide
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. It is a prescription drug, and research-grade or unapproved versions are not the approved product.
What it is
A long-acting version of the gut hormone GLP-1. It slows stomach emptying, lowers appetite, and helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high.
What the evidence shows
In people
Very strong. Large randomized trial programs (SUSTAIN for diabetes, STEP for obesity, and SELECT for cardiovascular outcomes) enrolled tens of thousands of people and support the approved uses.
In animals and labs
Mechanism was characterized in animals before human trials; human data now matter far more.
Legal status
Approved as Ozempic and Rybelsus (type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction). The FDA has warned about unapproved and compounded versions, including dosing errors when people measure doses themselves.
Dosing
Dosing is set by the label and your prescriber
Doses for approved products come from the FDA-approved label and are adjusted by a prescriber for each person. BOTH does not restate dosing. Read the official label below and ask your prescriber or pharmacist how to measure and take your dose.
- Ozempic · Type 2 diabetesOfficial label on DailyMed ↗
- Wegovy · Chronic weight managementOfficial label on DailyMed ↗
- Rybelsus · Type 2 diabetes (oral)Official label on DailyMed ↗
Known risks
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, especially when the dose increases
- Pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and kidney injury from dehydration
- Boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents
- Low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas
- Overdose from measuring errors with unapproved or compounded vials