Semaglutide
Also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Snipes, MD
Reviewed for clinical accuracy · Last reviewed July 22, 2026 · Review policy
Quick answer
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for chronic weight management. In Phase 3 trials it produced roughly 15% average body-weight loss at the 2.4 mg weekly dose, the strongest evidence base of any weight-management peptide.
- Drug class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- FDA status
- Approved (Ozempic 2017, Wegovy 2021)
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; oral (Rybelsus)
- Evidence grade
- A (FDA-Approved)
- Banned in sport
- No
Key takeaways
- →Semaglutide is FDA-approved and backed by large Phase 3 trials, the highest evidence tier on our scale.
- →The STEP program showed about 15% average weight loss at 2.4 mg weekly, alongside strong glycemic control in diabetes (SUSTAIN).
- →The SELECT trial showed cardiovascular benefit in people with overweight or obesity and established heart disease.
- →GI side effects (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) are common and usually dose-dependent; a boxed warning covers thyroid C-cell tumor risk seen in rodents.
- →Compounded semaglutide is a separate, more restricted category tied to drug-shortage rules, not the same as the FDA-approved products.
Semaglutide is the most clinically validated compound in the weight-management category and the reference point every newer peptide is measured against. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, marketed by Novo Nordisk as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for chronic weight management, and it carries the strongest human evidence base of any peptide we profile.
How Semaglutide works
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a gut hormone released after eating. Semaglutide mimics it, binding GLP-1 receptors to enhance glucose-dependent insulin secretion, slow gastric emptying, and signal satiety in the brain. The practical result is reduced appetite and food intake, lower blood glucose, and, over months, meaningful weight loss.
What the evidence shows, by use
Each use is graded on the same A-E scale, based on human-trial quality rather than popularity.
Chronic weight management
AFDA-ApprovedThe STEP trial program showed roughly 15% average body-weight reduction at 2.4 mg weekly versus placebo, the basis for the Wegovy approval.
Type 2 diabetes
AFDA-ApprovedThe SUSTAIN program demonstrated significant HbA1c reduction and weight loss, supporting the Ozempic and Rybelsus approvals.
Cardiovascular risk reduction
AFDA-ApprovedThe SELECT trial reported a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in people with overweight/obesity and established cardiovascular disease.
Dosing
FDA-approved semaglutide follows a gradual titration schedule to limit GI side effects, typically starting low and stepping up over several weeks under a prescriber's supervision. Exact starting dose, escalation pace, and target dose differ between the diabetes and weight-management products. This is prescription medication; dosing should be set and adjusted by a licensed clinician, not self-managed.
Side effects
- •Nausea · Common
- •Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation · Common
- •Abdominal pain, reflux · Less common
- •Gallbladder problems (gallstones) · Less common
Legal & regulatory status
Semaglutide is FDA-approved and fully legal with a prescription. Compounded semaglutide is a separate category tied to drug-shortage rules and is more restricted.
Is Semaglutidelegal? Full regulatory status →Where to get it: TeleRanked independently ranks the telehealth providers that offer GLP-1 and weight-loss care. See our Weight Loss & GLP-1 rankings. We rank providers, we do not sell compounds, and rankings are never for sale.
Frequently asked questions
Is semaglutide FDA-approved?+
Yes. Semaglutide is FDA-approved as Ozempic and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes and as Wegovy for chronic weight management.
How much weight loss does semaglutide cause?+
In the STEP trials, the 2.4 mg weekly dose produced about 15% average body-weight loss over 68 weeks, though individual results vary.
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?+
No. Compounded semaglutide is prepared by a pharmacy and is a separate, more restricted category tied to drug-shortage rules. It is not the FDA-approved product.
Is semaglutide banned in sport?+
No. GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are not on the WADA Prohibited List as of this review.
How we grade evidence
Grade A: FDA-Approved. Approved by the FDA for at least one indication, supported by large randomized controlled trials. Our A-E scale reflects the strength of human evidence, not how popular a compound is.
Sources
- 1.Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs database · U.S. Food & Drug Administration
- 2.Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1), NEJM 2021 · New England Journal of Medicine
- 3.Compounding and the FDA: Questions and Answers · U.S. Food & Drug Administration