Loading page…
Find your medicineSearch name, salt, strength or type
Semaglutide is a GLP 1 receptor agonist used in specific products for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction and selected cases of metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis.
Semaglutide is a medicine that acts like the natural hormone glucagon like peptide 1. This hormone helps regulate blood glucose, appetite and digestion. Semaglutide is commonly known through brands such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus.
These products contain the same active ingredient but are not identical. They have different approved uses, strengths, dose schedules and delivery systems. A dose of one brand must never be converted into another brand without professional guidance.
Semaglutide uses depend on the exact product and country. Product-specific uses include:
Improving blood sugar control in eligible adults with type 2 diabetes
Reducing selected cardiovascular risks in people covered by the product indication
Supporting chronic weight management in eligible adults
Supporting chronic weight management in eligible adolescents through specific products
Treating noncirrhotic MASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis through an approved Wegovy formulation
Reducing selected kidney and cardiovascular risks through specific diabetes indications
Semaglutide activates GLP 1 receptors. It increases insulin release when blood glucose is high and reduces unnecessary glucagon release. It also slows stomach emptying and helps the brain recognise fullness. These actions improve glucose control and reduce appetite. Weight loss differs between patients and depends on the approved product, maintenance dose, treatment duration, nutrition, physical activity and individual response.
Semaglutide injections are placed under the skin of the abdomen, thigh or upper arm. Many injectable products are used once weekly on the same day each week. Oral semaglutide tablets are taken once daily. Product directions commonly require the tablet to be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of plain water. The patient must then wait for the stated time before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines. Injection and tablet doses are not equivalent milligram for milligram. Oral products can also differ from one another. Always follow the instructions for the exact brand supplied.
Semaglutide dosage starts low and increases gradually. Slow dose escalation helps reduce nausea, vomiting and other digestive effects. Ozempic injection commonly begins at 0.25 mg once weekly before moving to a treatment dose. Wegovy injection uses its own stepwise schedule toward a product-specific maintenance dose. Rybelsus and newer oral semaglutide products use different tablet strengths and escalation schedules. Starter doses are not intended as permanent maintenance doses unless the current product information and prescriber direct otherwise. Never count pen clicks, share a pen or transfer medicine from a pen into a syringe.
Common semaglutide side effects include: Nausea, Vomiting. Diarrhoea, Constipation, Stomach pain, Indigestion, Reduced appetite, Tiredness, Injection site irritation Digestive effects are often stronger when treatment starts or the dose increases. Eating smaller meals, stopping when full and avoiding very fatty meals can help. Seek urgent medical care for:
Severe or persistent abdominal pain that can indicate pancreatitis
Severe vomiting or diarrhoea with dehydration
Upper abdominal pain, fever or yellow skin that can indicate gallbladder problems
Facial swelling, breathing difficulty or a serious rash
Sudden or worsening vision changes
Very low blood sugar when used with insulin or a sulfonylurea
Semaglutide products carry a warning based on thyroid C cell tumours seen in rodents. It is not known whether semaglutide causes these tumours in humans. Do not use semaglutide if you or a close family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2. Report a neck lump, persistent hoarseness, trouble swallowing or shortness of breath.
Semaglutide can reduce appetite and support weight loss. Wegovy products are specifically approved for chronic weight management in eligible people. Ozempic and Rybelsus are diabetes brands and should not be presented as identical weight loss products. Weight regain can occur after stopping treatment. A long-term plan should address food choices, physical activity, side effects, treatment cost and follow-up care.
People comparing weight management treatments can also read about Mounjaro and tirzepatide. Tirzepatide and semaglutide work differently and should not be combined.
Tell the healthcare professional about all medicines and health conditions. Important points include:
Insulin and sulfonylureas can increase low blood sugar risk
Delayed stomach emptying can affect absorption of oral medicines
Other GLP 1 medicines must not be combined with semaglutide
Dehydration can worsen kidney function
Retinopathy symptoms require prompt eye assessment
Anaesthesia teams need to know about semaglutide before procedures
Extra care is needed with pancreatitis history, gallbladder disease, severe digestive disease, kidney problems or diabetic retinopathy.
Semaglutide is not used for weight loss during pregnancy. Product information generally advises stopping semaglutide well before a planned pregnancy because it remains in the body for several weeks. The exact timing must follow the current product label. Discuss breastfeeding and pregnancy planning before treatment. Oral formulations can contain ingredients with additional breastfeeding restrictions.
Semaglutide should not be used by people with:
A serious allergy to semaglutide or the product ingredients
A personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2
Pregnancy when treatment is for weight management
Another semaglutide product or GLP 1 receptor agonist already in use
It is not a treatment for type 1 diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Storage depends on the product. Unused injection pens can require refrigeration. Some pens can be kept at a stated room temperature after first use for a limited time. Do not freeze semaglutide. Keep tablets in their original container to protect them from moisture. Follow the package instructions and keep every product away from children.
Ozempic is one brand containing semaglutide. Wegovy and Rybelsus also contain semaglutide but have different uses, strengths and directions.
