Semaglutide

Status

FDA-approved. Approved since 2017 (Ozempic, type 2 diabetes), 2021 (Wegovy, weight management) and 2019 (Rybelsus, the oral tablet).

What it is

A GLP-1 receptor agonist — a modified version of a gut hormone your body releases after eating. It slows stomach emptying, signals fullness to the brain, and supports insulin release when blood sugar is high. It is a 31-amino-acid peptide with changes that let it survive days in the blood instead of minutes.

What published research measured

The STEP program established weight-management efficacy in major published trials; the SELECT trial (2023) reported cardiovascular risk reduction in people with obesity and cardiovascular disease without diabetes.

Source

FDA prescribing information (Ozempic, Wegovy); NEJM, SELECT 2023

Sources

• STEP 1, PubMed 33567185
• Half-life source for Semaglutide
• Wegovy injection (weekly) prescribing information
• ObesityWeek presentations are scheduled for November 14 to 17 (2026-11-14)