Semaglutide

GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight loss and diabetes management

4.8
5 reviews

Rating Breakdown

Weight Loss Efficacy
4.7
Appetite Suppression
5.0
Metabolic Improvement
4.7
Body Composition
3.7
Glycemic Control
4.7
Safety & Side Effects
4.0
Cardiovascular Benefit
4.7
Dosing Convenience
4.7

Overview

Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone. It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves blood sugar control. Approved as Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for type 2 diabetes.

Key Information

Identity
Also Known As Wegovy; Ozempic
Sequence H-Aib-EGTFTSDVSSYLEGQAAKEFIAWLVRGRG-NH2
CAS Number 910463-57-3
Molecular Formula C154H296N56O46
Properties
Half-Life 7 days
Administration subcutaneous injection, oral tablet
Dosage Range 0.25-2.4 mg weekly
Price Range $2.06–$25.99/mg
Handling & Storage
Storage Refrigerated 2-8C
Reconstitution Pre-filled pen, no reconstitution needed
Regulatory Status
US Status FDA-approved
Legal Status FDA-approved as Wegovy (weight) and Ozempic (diabetes). Patent-protected, no generic available.
Research Papers 1 indexed

Mechanism

Activates GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamus to suppress appetite, and in the pancreas to stimulate insulin secretion. Weekly dosing due to extended half-life (~7 days).

Benefits

  • 14.9-15.8% weight loss
  • Cardiovascular risk reduction
  • Improved glycemic control
  • Weekly dosing convenience

Side Effects

  • Nausea (44%)
  • Diarrhea (30%)
  • Vomiting (24%)
  • Constipation (24%)
  • Risk of pancreatitis

Contraindications

  • Medullary thyroid carcinoma
  • MEN2 syndrome
  • Pregnancy

Evidence Summary

STEP 1-8 trials (6,000+ participants), SELECT trial (17,604 patients). Gold-standard evidence for obesity pharmacotherapy.

Research

STEP trials showed 14.9-15.8% mean weight loss over 68 weeks. SELECT trial demonstrated 20% reduction in MACE in non-diabetic obese patients with cardiovascular disease.

View Research

Safety

Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors. Common side effects: nausea (44%), diarrhea (30%), vomiting (24%).

Legal Status

FDA-approved as Wegovy (weight) and Ozempic (diabetes). Patent-protected, no generic available.

Research

1 research papers indexed

View Research

Write a Review

Rating Breakdown

Effectiveness
4.8
Safety
4.4
Value
4.4
Overall
4.8

Based on 5 reviews.

Reviews

Excellent results over 3 months 2026-08-08
Review Tester

Lost 12kg in 3 months with minimal side effects. Weekly injections, steady appetite suppression. Highly effective for weight loss.

Effectiveness: 5/5 Safety: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Excellent results over 3 months 2026-08-08
Review Tester

Lost 12kg in 3 months with minimal side effects. Weekly injections, steady appetite suppression. Highly effective for weight loss.

Effectiveness: 5/5 Safety: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Effective but expensive 2026-07-23
Nina D.

Works great for appetite suppression but the cost is prohibitive without insurance. Weekly injection is convenient. Lost 15 lbs in 3 months but hit a plateau around month 4.

Effectiveness: 4/5 Safety: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Lost 32 lbs in 6 months 2026-07-18
Nina D.

Down from 198 to 166. Side effects were rough first month (nausea, fatigue) but got better. Changed my life. Appetite suppression is incredible - I simply don't think about food anymore.

Effectiveness: 5/5 Safety: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Reversed my type 2 diabetes 2026-07-05
Nina D.

A1C went from 9.2 to 5.8 in 8 months. My doctor was shocked. The nausea was bad for the first 2 weeks but completely went away. This is a game changer for metabolic health.

Effectiveness: 5/5 Safety: 4/5 Value: 4/5