FDA-approved drug existsGLP-1 receptor agonist (peptide)

Semaglutide

Also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus

Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Novo Nordisk. It is approved as Ozempic (injectable, type 2 diabetes), Rybelsus (oral tablet, type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (injectable, chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction).

By [Author name]. Licensed pharmacist review: pending. Last updated 2026-10-21.

Identity

Developer: Novo Nordisk
Brand names: Ozempic (2017), Rybelsus (2019), Wegovy (2021)
Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
Structure: 31-amino-acid GLP-1 analog with an Aib substitution and a C18 fatty diacid side chain
Molecular formula: C187H291N45O59 (PubChem)
Molar mass: about 4,114 g/mol
Half-life: About one week (roughly 165 hours, prescribing information).

What the research covers

Semaglutide has one of the largest clinical trial records of any peptide drug. The SUSTAIN trials studied type 2 diabetes, the STEP trials studied chronic weight management, and SELECT studied cardiovascular outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease.

STEP 1 (New England Journal of Medicine, 2021) ran for 68 weeks in adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes and measured body-weight change against placebo. SELECT (2023) measured major adverse cardiovascular events.

The prescribing information lists gastrointestinal reactions as the most common and carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.

Summaries describe what studies measured, not what a substance does for anyone. Nothing here is a claim of benefit or a basis for use.

Regulatory status

FDA-approved as Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy.
FDA declared the semaglutide shortage resolved on February 21, 2025. The compounding grace periods ended April 22, 2025 (503A) and May 22, 2025 (503B).
FDA has said semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate are different active ingredients from the approved drug and do not meet the conditions for lawful compounding.

Anti-doping (WADA)

Not on the WADA Prohibited List as of the review date.

Follow changes on the FDA peptide status tracker.

Semaglutide questions

Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same drug?

Both contain semaglutide, but they are approved for different uses, in different dose strengths, with different labeling.

What is semaglutide sodium?

A salt form used by some compounders and research-chemical sellers. FDA considers it a different active ingredient from the semaglutide base in approved products.