Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management, one of the most widely prescribed peptide drugs.
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What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1. It is FDA-approved under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy for chronic weight management. It works by enhancing insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite through central nervous system signaling.
Why People Talk About It
Significant weight loss (15-20% body weight)
StrongBlood sugar control in type 2 diabetes
StrongCardiovascular risk reduction
StrongPotential neuroprotective effects
EmergingHow It Works
Semaglutide mimics a natural gut hormone (GLP-1) that tells your brain you're full after eating. It also slows down how fast food leaves your stomach and helps your pancreas release insulin more effectively when blood sugar is high.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Contraindicated in personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2
- • Risk of pancreatitis
- • May cause gallbladder problems
- • Not for use with other GLP-1 agonists
What We Don't Know
Long-term effects beyond 2 years of use, effects on muscle mass during weight loss, and optimal duration of therapy are still being studied.
Published Research
33 studiesDiscontinuing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and body habitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and co-agonists on body composition: Systematic review and network meta-analysis
Cardiovascular and Kidney Outcomes and Mortality With Long-Acting Injectable and Oral Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials
Evaluating the safety profile of semaglutide: an updated meta-analysis
Comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists on glycaemic control, body weight, and lipid profile for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis
Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Patients Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Subcutaneously administered tirzepatide vs semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Pharmacotherapy for adults with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Seven glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and polyagonists for weight loss in patients with obesity or overweight: an updated systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Efficacy and safety of semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight loss in overweight or obese adults without diabetes: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis including the 2-year STEP 5 trial
Efficacy and Safety of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Body Weight and Cardiometabolic Parameters in Individuals With Obesity and Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
The Weight-loss Effect of GLP-1RAs Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Non-diabetic Individuals with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Future Cancer Risk
Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Comparative Effectiveness of Glucose-Lowering Drugs for Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Cardiovascular, mortality, and kidney outcomes with GLP-1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcome trials
Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Semaglutide: A Systematic Review
Assessment of Thyroid Carcinogenic Risk and Safety Profile of GLP1-RA Semaglutide (Ozempic) Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review
Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in High-Risk Type 2 Diabetes
Phase 3 Trial of Semaglutide in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis
Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults With Alcohol Use Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in People With Type 2 Diabetes, According to SGLT2i Use: Prespecified Analyses of the SOUL Randomized Trial
Semaglutide in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes and Obesity
Semaglutide in patients with overweight or obesity and chronic kidney disease without diabetes: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
Semaglutide and walking capacity in people with symptomatic peripheral artery disease and type 2 diabetes (STRIDE): a phase 3b, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
evoke and evoke+: design of two large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 studies evaluating efficacy, safety, and tolerability of semaglutide in early-stage symptomatic Alzheimer's disease
Cagrilintide-Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Persons with Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: The STEP 4 Randomized Clinical Trial.
Semaglutide for the treatment of overweight and obesity: A review
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Research Insights
Related Peptides
Tirzepatide
StrongBeginnerA dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for diabetes and weight management, producing the largest weight loss seen in clinical trials.
Liraglutide
StrongBeginnerA GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for diabetes (Victoza) and weight management (Saxenda), the predecessor to semaglutide.
Retatrutide
EmergingAn investigational triple agonist (GIP/GLP-1/glucagon) that produced 24% weight loss in Phase II trials, potentially the most effective obesity drug.
Cagrilintide
EmergingA long-acting amylin analogue being developed in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) for enhanced weight loss.
Quick Facts
- Class
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
- Evidence
- Strong
- Safety
- Well-Studied
- Updated
- Mar 2026
- Citations
- 33PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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