Weight loss · Aging & longevity
Semaglutide, simplified.
Also called Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Approved RxA lab-made copy of a gut hormone called GLP-1 that tells your brain you are full. It is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
- Size
- 31 amino acids
- How it is taken
- Weekly injection or daily tablet
- Status
- FDA-approved prescription
What is it?
After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. It tells your brain you have had enough and slows how fast your stomach empties. Semaglutide acts like GLP-1 but lasts about a week instead of a few minutes.
What studies show
- In peopleIn a large 68-week trial, adults with obesity lost about 15% of their body weight on average, compared with about 2% on placebo.
- In peopleIn a trial of 17,000+ people with heart disease and excess weight, it lowered the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death by about 20%.
- In peopleIt lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, which is what it was first approved for.
What we don’t know yet
- Most people regain much of the weight after stopping.
- Very long-term effects past a decade are still being studied.
Side effects and cautions
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are common, especially early on.
- Rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.
- Not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
Is it legal?
FDA-approved. Available only with a prescription.
Common questions
What is Semaglutide?
A lab-made copy of a gut hormone called GLP-1 that tells your brain you are full. It is the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy. After you eat, your gut releases a hormone called GLP-1. It tells your brain you have had enough and slows how fast your stomach empties. Semaglutide acts like GLP-1 but lasts about a week instead of a few minutes.
What does the research say about Semaglutide?
In a large 68-week trial, adults with obesity lost about 15% of their body weight on average, compared with about 2% on placebo. In a trial of 17,000+ people with heart disease and excess weight, it lowered the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart-related death by about 20%. It lowers blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, which is what it was first approved for.
Is Semaglutide FDA approved?
FDA-approved. Available only with a prescription.
What are the side effects of Semaglutide?
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation are common, especially early on. Rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. Not for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
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