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Semaglutide

Also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus.

Best known for The drug that changed obesity treatment

Evidence★★★★★

Safety dataWell characterised

Route injectable (subcutaneous) · oral

United StatesFDA approved

AustraliaSchedule 4 (Prescription Only)

as at 16 September 2026

What it is

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist: a synthetic version of a gut hormone the body already makes. It has completed the full path from laboratory research to approved medicine, and is available as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for weight management.

It is the compound that brought peptides into mainstream conversation, and a useful reference point for understanding every other entry in this book.

What the full entry covers

The book carries the rest of this entry:

Where the research stands, with every claim cited
What people commonly ask, and what the research shows so far
Dosing in four labelled bands, described and not recommended
Side effects, serious risks, cautions and interactions
Questions to discuss with your doctor
How it compares with Tirzepatide, Liraglutide, Retatrutide, CagriSema

Related entries

TirzepatideThe most effective approved weight-loss drug · Evidence ★★★★★
LiraglutideThe first-generation GLP-1 · Evidence ★★★★★
RetatrutideThe next-generation weight-loss drug that isn't approved yet · Evidence ★★☆☆☆
CagriSemaThe combination aiming at tirzepatide · Evidence ★★★☆☆

A certificate of analysis tells you what is in a vial. The evidence rating above tells you whether the compound has been shown to work in humans. Neither answers the other's question. How to read a certificate of analysis.

This page describes what is known and not known about Semaglutide. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use it.