Peptide Encyclopedia / Semaglutide
EncyclopediaSemaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, sharing 94% of its sequence with human GLP-1. The FDA has approved it for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular risk reduction, and chronic weight management, and it is a prescription drug rather than a supplement. Educational only, not medical advice.
| Also known as | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, NN9535 |
| Half-life | 1 week (~165 hours |
| Regulatory status | FDA-approved. |
FDA-approved. Semaglutide is approved by the U.S. FDA: as Ozempic (subcutaneous, 2017) for type 2 diabetes and to reduce cardiovascular risk, as Rybelsus (oral, 2019) for type 2 diabetes, and as Wegovy (subcutaneous 2.4 mg, 2021) for chronic weight management in adults and adolescents 12+ with obesity (or overweight with a weight-related comorbidity). It is a prescription drug, not a supplement.
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist with 94% sequence homology to human GLP-1. It selectively binds and activates the GLP-1 receptor, increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion and decreasing glucagon secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and acting on appetite-regulating centers to reduce food intake and body weight. It is stabilized against DPP-4 degradation and binds albumin, prolonging its action. Pharmacokinetics (half-life Approximately 1 week (~165 hours)): Semaglutide has an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week, supporting once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. The long half-life results principally from albumin binding, which decreases renal clearance and protects against metabolic degradation; it is also stabilized against DPP-4 enzymatic cleavage. Steady state is reached after 4-5 weeks of once-weekly administration.
Strong, large-scale randomized controlled trial evidence supports semaglutide. SUSTAIN-6 (n=3297) showed a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events versus placebo in type 2 diabetes at high cardiovascular risk. STEP 1 (n=1961) showed mean weight loss of 14.9% with semaglutide 2.4 mg versus 2.4% with placebo over 68 weeks in adults with overweight/obesity without diabetes. These pivotal trials underpin FDA approvals. Reported use: Per FDA labeling, Wegovy for weight management is reported to be dose-escalated over ~16-20 weeks (0.25 mg weekly, increasing every 4 weeks through 0.5, 1.0, 1.7 to a 2.4 mg weekly maintenance dose) to mitigate gastrointestinal side effects. Ozempic for type 2 diabetes is reported to start at 0.25 mg weekly for 4 weeks (a non-therapeutic initiation dose) then 0.5 mg, with possible titration to 1 mg and 2 mg. All dosing is subcutaneous and once weekly. This describes labeled dosing and is not medical advice or a prescription.
Common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain). Labeling carries a Boxed Warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumors (medullary thyroid carcinoma) observed in rodents; human relevance is undetermined. Other warnings include pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy complications, acute gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury (often from dehydration), and hypoglycemia when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas..
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), Known serious hypersensitivity to semaglutide or any product excipients.
Insulin or insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas) - increased hypoglycemia risk; dose reduction may be considered, Oral medications - delayed gastric emptying may affect absorption of concomitantly administered oral drugs
Log every dose and injection site, get the reconstitution and units math automatically, follow your cycle, and record how you feel, then export a provider report. Semaglutide tracker, free to start.
PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Semaglutide may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.
