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FDA-approvedVendors pendingFacts verified · 2026-05-25

Semaglutide

Also known as GLP1-S, glp-1 analogue, ozempic, wegovy, rybelsus · Wikipedia

Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk and marketed as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for chronic weight management, and approved for cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Structurally a modified analogue of human GLP-1(7-37), it carries an alpha-aminoisobutyric acid substitution at position 8 to resist DPP-4 cleavage and a C18 fatty diacid acylation that enables albumin binding and a ~7-day half-life. Research interest centers on weight loss, glycemic control, appetite regulation, and emerging cardiometabolic, renal, and neurodegenerative outcomes. Also known as: GLP-1 analogue; Ozempic; Wegovy; Rybelsus.

15%

weight

loss

68 wk

trial

duration

2.4 mg

weekly

dose

FDA

approved

Wegovy

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Mechanism of action

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with ~94% homology to native GLP-1, engineered with an Aib8 substitution to resist DPP-4 degradation and a C18 fatty diacid linker at Lys26 that promotes albumin binding and ~7-day half-life [NCT03548935; Wilding 2021 NEJM PMID 33567185]. Activation of pancreatic beta-cell GLP-1 receptors potentiates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with ~94% homology to native GLP-1, engineered with an Aib8 substitution to resist DPP-4 degradation and a C18 fatty diacid linker at Lys26 that promotes albumin binding and ~7-day half-life [NCT03548935; Wilding 2021 NEJM PMID 33567185]. Activation of pancreatic beta-cell GLP-1 receptors potentiates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon. Central GLP-1 receptors in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and area postrema mediate appetite suppression, increased satiety, and slowed gastric emptying. The SELECT trial (Lincoff 2023 NEJM, PMID 37952131) further linked long-term receptor activation with reduced MACE in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease, suggesting effects beyond weight and glucose.

Pharmacokinetic properties

Half-life

~7 days subcutaneous

Routes

subcutaneous · oral

Bioavailability

Subcutaneous bioavailability ~89%. Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) co-formulated with SNAC absorption enhancer achieves only ~0.4-1% bioavailability and must be taken fasting with minimal water.

Amino-acid sequence

GLP-1(7-37) analogue with Aib8; Lys26 acylated (C18 diacid via spacer); Arg34->Lys

Use & research dosing

Appetite ControlWeight LossFat Loss

FDA-labeled regimens (research framing only): Ozempic/Wegovy is initiated at 0.25 mg subcutaneously once weekly and titrated every 4 weeks (0.5, 1.0, 1.7, then 2.4 mg for Wegovy; up to 2.0 mg for Ozempic). Oral Rybelsus is titrated 3 mg, 7 mg, then 14 mg daily, taken fasting with <=120 mL water. Investigator-initiated research and self-experimentation protocols typically mirror the approved titration to manage GI tolerability.

Research-use framing only. SavePeptides sells nothing for human consumption. Doses above reflect reported research / self-experimentation ranges, not clinical recommendations.

Editorial perspective

STEP-1 (Wilding 2021) demonstrated ~14.9% mean weight loss at 68 weeks on 2.4 mg weekly versus placebo. SELECT (Lincoff 2023) reported a 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in non-diabetic adults with obesity and established CVD, driving the cardiovascular indication. The SUSTAIN program previously established glycemic and weight benefits in type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide has the deepest evidence base of any current GLP-1 receptor agonist and is the de facto reference compound in the class.

— SavePeptides editorial desk · last updated 2026-05-25

Cautions & contraindications

Before researching this compound, note:

  • personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (boxed warning, rodent C-cell tumors)
  • multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2)
  • history of pancreatitis
  • severe gastroparesis or pre-existing severe GI motility disease
  • pregnancy and breastfeeding (washout >=2 months before conception per label)
  • GI side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation) are very common, especially during titration
  • gallbladder events (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis) reported with rapid weight loss
  • rapid glycemic correction may worsen diabetic retinopathy in T2D
  • non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) signal under post-marketing investigation
  • additive hypoglycemia risk when combined with sulfonylureas or insulin

Research foundation

The papers behind the page.

  1. [01]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/
  2. [02]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38381687/
  3. [03]https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
  4. [04]https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2021/215256s000lbl.pdf

Facts verified

2026-05-25

Confidence

high

What this means

  • No editorial caveats on this entry — claims map to peer-reviewed sources cited above.

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