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FDA-approved Updated May 2026

Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy)

Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus

FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.

Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy) medication illustration

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Freshness status: Fresh (26 days since review)

Clinical change log

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  1. 2026-05-24T00:00:00Z UTC · Reviewed by Anika Reyes, MD

    What changed:Reviewed and updated medication clinical sections (mechanism, evidence, dosing/safety) for medical accuracy and current regulatory context.

    Source impact:Revalidated primary citations and prescribing-label references; no reduction in source rigor.

Clinical guidance, pricing, and eligibility vary by patient profile and prescribing context. We may earn from partner links, but compensation does not change editorial scoring. See our methodology and disclosures.

HIPAA Compliant Protected health data
503B Pharmacy Licensed compounding
Board Reviewed Medical oversight
FDA Registered Regulated facilities
Avg. weight loss 12–15%
Dose range 0.25–2.4 mg
Cadence Weekly

How it works

Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone, slowing gastric emptying and reducing appetite signals to the brain. It also improves insulin sensitivity and glucose-dependent insulin secretion. In clinical trials, participants lost an average of 15% of body weight over 68 weeks at the 2.4mg dose. [8]

Clinical trial evidence

STEP 1 [?]
Wilding et al., NEJM 2021 ~15% weight loss 1,961 participants, 68 weeks, 2.4 mg
STEP 2 [?]
Davies et al., Lancet 2021 ~10% weight loss Patients with type 2 diabetes
SELECT [?]
Marso et al., NEJM 2023 20% MACE reduction Cardiovascular outcomes trial
STEP 4 [?]
Rubino et al., JAMA 2022 2/3 weight regained after stop Discontinuation study
STEP TEENS [?]
Kelly et al., NEJM 2020 Efficacy in adolescents Ages 12+ with obesity
Full trial details
STEP 1 (Wilding et al., NEJM 2021): ~15% average body weight reduction at 68 weeks with 2.4 mg dose (1,961 participants without diabetes). [1] STEP 2: demonstrated efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes (average ~10% weight loss). [2] SELECT trial (Marso et al., NEJM 2023): 20% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in participants with established cardiovascular disease — leading to expanded FDA indication. [3] STEP 4: demonstrated significant weight regain after discontinuation, with participants regaining approximately two-thirds of lost weight within 1 year. [4] STEP TEENS: efficacy demonstrated in adolescents aged 12+ with obesity. [5]
Bar chart comparing average weight loss: Semaglutide 15%, Tirzepatide 21%, Retatrutide 24% at 68-72 weeks
Average body weight reduction from pivotal clinical trials. Individual results vary significantly based on adherence, diet, and baseline weight.

FDA approval status

Dec 2017 Ozempic approved Type 2 diabetes
Sep 2019 Rybelsus approved Oral formulation for T2D
Jun 2021 Wegovy approved Chronic weight management (BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidity)
Mar 2024 CV risk indication Wegovy: reducing cardiovascular risk in obesity/CVD patients
Full approval details
FDA-approved as Ozempic (December 2017, type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (June 2021, chronic weight management). Rybelsus oral formulation (September 2019) for type 2 diabetes only. Indicated for adults with BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g., hypertension, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea). [9] In March 2024, Wegovy received an additional indication for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with obesity or overweight and established cardiovascular disease. [3]

Side effects

Common side effects

Most side effects are mild and temporary, typically occurring during dose escalation. Contact your prescriber if symptoms persist.

BOXED WARNING

Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors — contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of MTC or MEN2.

Common side effects

Nausea 44%
Diarrhea 30%
Constipation 24%
Vomiting 24%
Abdominal pain 20%

Serious side effects

Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury. Rare: diabetic retinopathy progression during rapid glucose lowering. Injection site reactions generally mild.

Source

Full side effects details
Most common: nausea (44%), diarrhea (30%), constipation (24%), vomiting (24%), abdominal pain (20%). [6] Serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury. FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodent studies — contraindicated in patients with personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). [7] Rare cases of diabetic retinopathy progression have been reported, particularly during rapid glucose lowering. Injection site reactions are generally mild.

Titration schedule

1
Weeks 1-4 0.25 mg Starting dose
2
Weeks 5-8 0.5 mg
3
Weeks 9-12 1.0 mg
4
Weeks 13-16 1.7 mg
5
Week 17+ 2.4 mg Maintenance (Wegovy)

Average time to therapeutic dose: 16–20 weeks. Do not accelerate titration — GI tolerability improves with gradual dose increases.

Full dosing details
Injection (Ozempic/Wegovy): Start 0.25 mg weekly × 4 weeks → 0.5 mg weekly × 4 weeks → 1.0 mg weekly × 4 weeks → 1.7 mg weekly × 4 weeks → 2.4 mg maintenance (Wegovy) or 2.0 mg (Ozempic). [10] Average time to therapeutic dose: 16–20 weeks. Dose escalation should not be accelerated — GI tolerability improves with gradual titration. Oral (Rybelsus): 3 mg daily × 30 days → 7 mg daily × 30 days → 14 mg maintenance. Must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 4 oz of plain water; wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications.

Contraindications and warnings

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide. Pregnancy (FDA Category X — discontinue at least 2 months before conception). [7] Use with caution in: history of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, diabetic retinopathy (risk of progression during rapid glucose lowering), renal impairment. Not recommended for use with other GLP-1 receptor agonists.

Providers that offer Semaglutide

The following providers from our comparison carry this medication. Pricing and availability are verified May 2026.

Found 9.3/10
$149/mo starting Free shipping
Visit Found → Read full Found review
Hims 9.1/10
$199/mo all-in Free shipping
Visit Hims → Read full Hims review
Ro 8.8/10
$199/mo starting Free shipping
Visit Ro → Read full Ro review
Calibrate 8.6/10
$199/mo Free shipping
Visit Calibrate → Read full Calibrate review
Alan Meds 8.3/10
$189/mo Free shipping
Visit Alan Meds → Read full Alan Meds review
Lovely Meds 8/10
$99/mo starting Free shipping
Visit Lovely Meds → Read full Lovely Meds review
Gala 8.5/10
$179/mo on yearly plan Free shipping
Visit Gala → Read full Gala review
Henry Meds 8.4/10
$247/mo on 12-month plan Free shipping
Visit Henry Meds → Read full Henry Meds review

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FAQ — Common questions about Semaglutide

How does semaglutide work for weight loss?

Semaglutide mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite signals to the brain, and improves insulin sensitivity. In clinical trials, participants lost an average of 15% of body weight over 68 weeks.

What brands contain semaglutide?

Ozempic (for type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (for weight management) are the FDA-approved brand-name semaglutide products. Compounded semaglutide is also available during FDA shortage periods.

How is semaglutide administered?

Semaglutide is administered as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection. Dosing typically starts at 0.25mg and is titrated up to 2.4mg for weight management (Wegovy) or 1.0mg for diabetes (Ozempic).

Learn

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References

  1. [1]Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. PubMed 33567485
  2. [2]Davies M, Færch L, Khurt O, et al. Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397(10278):871-884. PubMed 33667417
  3. [3]Marso SP, Daniels GH, Poulter NR, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT trial). N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232. PubMed 37952131
  4. [4]Rubino D, Abrahamsson N, Davies M, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance (STEP 4). JAMA. 2022;327(4):331-340. PubMed 35080876
  5. [5]Kelly AS, Auerbach P, Barrientos-Perez M, et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Liraglutide for Adolescents with Obesity (STEP TEENS). N Engl J Med. 2020;382(22):2117-2128. PubMed 32295177
  6. [6]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. Novo Nordisk Inc. Revised 2024. FDA Label
  7. [7]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Wegovy (semaglutide) Prescribing Information — Boxed Warning: Thyroid C-cell Tumors. Novo Nordisk Inc. Revised 2024. FDA Label
  8. [8]Knudsen LB, Lau J. The Discovery and Development of Liraglutide and Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:155. PubMed 30983935
  9. [9]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ozempic (semaglutide) — Original FDA Approval Letter, December 2017. NDA 021537. FDA Approval Letter
  10. [10]Nauck MA, Quast DR, Wefers J, Meier JJ. GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of type 2 diabetes — state-of-the-art. Mol Metab. 2021;46:101102. PubMed 32971244

Claim-to-Source Traceability

Reviewer attribution: Anika Reyes, MD

  1. [8]

    Sources: [8]

  2. [1] STEP 2: demonstrated efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes (average ~10% weight loss).

    Sources: [1]

  3. [2] SELECT trial (Marso et al.

    Sources: [2]

  4. [3] STEP 4: demonstrated significant weight regain after discontinuation, with participants regaining approximately two-thirds of lost weight within 1 year.

    Sources: [3]

  5. [4] STEP TEENS: efficacy demonstrated in adolescents aged 12+ with obesity.

    Sources: [4]

  6. [5]

    Sources: [5]

  7. [9] In March 2024, Wegovy received an additional indication for reducing cardiovascular risk in adults with obesity or overweight and established cardiovascular disease.

    Sources: [9]

  8. [3]

    Sources: [3]

  9. [6] Serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, acute kidney injury.

    Sources: [6]

  10. [7] Rare cases of diabetic retinopathy progression have been reported, particularly during rapid glucose lowering.

    Sources: [7]

  11. [10] Average time to therapeutic dose: 16–20 weeks.

    Sources: [10]

  12. [7] Use with caution in: history of pancreatitis, gastroparesis, diabetic retinopathy (risk of progression during rapid glucose lowering), renal impairment.

    Sources: [7]

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