Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist: it mimics a natural gut hormone to reduce appetite, slow stomach emptying, and improve blood-sugar control. It's the active ingredient in several familiar brands.

Brands that contain semaglutide

• Ozempic — weekly injection for type 2 diabetes (up to 2.0 mg)
• Wegovy — weekly injection for weight loss (up to 2.4 mg); now also an oral 25 mg weight-loss pill (approved Dec 2025)
• Rybelsus — daily oral tablet for type 2 diabetes (up to 14 mg)

Weight-loss results

In the pivotal STEP 1 trial, semaglutide 2.4 mg produced about 15% average body-weight loss over 68 weeks alongside lifestyle changes. It's highly effective — though in a head-to-head trial, tirzepatide produced more (see semaglutide vs tirzepatide).

Side effects

Most common are gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation — usually worst early and improving with a slow dose ramp. It carries a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and is contraindicated with a personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2. Serious risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder disease.

Cost

Brand-name semaglutide is expensive without insurance; compounded semaglutide via telehealth is cheaper but not FDA-approved. See what it costs.

Related