Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a real, regulated drug with clinical trial data behind its approved uses, available only by prescription. This page describes its approved uses and standard prescribing information — that's public medical information about a regulated drug, not personalized medical advice. Talk to your doctor about whether it's appropriate for you.

Semaglutide is a synthetic peptide that mimics GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a hormone your gut releases after eating. As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, it stimulates glucose-dependent insulin release, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and acts on appetite centers in the brain — the combination behind both its blood-sugar and weight effects.

Ozempic (injectable) — glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise, and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke, death) in adults with type 2 diabetes and known heart disease.

Wegovy (injectable) — chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight plus a weight-related condition, alongside diet and exercise, and to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with known heart disease and obesity or overweight. Wegovy also has FDA approval for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis.

Both are also available as once-daily oral tablets (Rybelsus, and a newer Ozempic tablet), for patients who prefer not to inject.

Mayo Clinic — Semaglutide (Subcutaneous Route) →

Semaglutide is titrated up slowly to reduce GI side effects — a typical injectable schedule starts at 0.25mg weekly (a non-therapeutic dose used only to ease onset), then steps up every 4 weeks toward a therapeutic maintenance dose, with the exact schedule and target dose set by a prescriber based on the specific product and indication. This is general public prescribing information, not a personalized recommendation — your prescriber sets your actual dose and schedule.

Semaglutide carries an FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies (human relevance not established); it's contraindicated for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Other risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy complications, kidney injury, and hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. Common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation), especially during dose increases.

Mayo Clinic — Semaglutide (Subcutaneous Route)