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What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a lab-made peptide that mimics the hormone GLP-1, sharing 94% of its sequence, with an elimination half-life of about one week.12 It is the active ingredient in the prescription medicines Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, FDA approved for type 2 diabetes, weight management and heart, kidney and liver uses.345

This page summarizes published sources for information only. It is not medical advice and does not tell anyone to use a product. Questions about your own health belong with a licensed clinician. For questions about an order or a product, contact us.

Key facts

ClassGLP-1 receptor agonist; a peptide of 31 amino acids6
Also known asOzempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus (US brand names); NN9535; semaglutida; semaglutidum7
Approved formsOnce-weekly injections (pens and single-dose syringes) and once-daily tablets, all prescription only891011
Forms we sellResearch vial (2 mg, 5 mg), freeze-dried, labeled for research use only; not a medicine
Regulatory statusFDA approved since December 5, 2017 as prescription medicines; research-labeled vials are not approved812
Controlled substanceNo; DailyMed lists DEA Schedule: None3
WADA statusNot prohibited; on WADA's Monitoring Program (monitoring adjusted from January 1, 2026), with status unchanged for 20271314
Elimination half-lifeAbout 1 week2

What sources report

Semaglutide is a peptide of 31 amino acids modeled on human GLP-1, a hormone involved in blood sugar control and appetite, with which it shares 94% of its sequence.6123 It differs from the natural hormone in three places: Aib replaces the amino acid at position 8, Arg replaces the one at position 34, and a C18 fatty diacid is joined through a spacer to the lysine at position 26.2417 In the approved medicine, the peptide backbone is produced by yeast fermentation.17

How it works

Semaglutide binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, the target of the body's own GLP-1.16 Its blood sugar effects run through insulin, glucagon and stomach emptying, explained on Semaglutide and blood sugar.1 GLP-1 receptors are also present in brain areas involved in appetite, and the Wegovy label states that semaglutide lowers calorie intake, likely by affecting appetite.23 In animal studies it reached and activated neurons in brain regions that regulate food intake.16

Two design changes make it long acting. The swap at position 8 protects it from breakdown by the enzyme DPP-4, and the fatty diacid binds albumin in the blood, giving an elimination half-life of about 1 week.17242 The Wegovy label adds that the exact mechanism behind its cardiovascular benefit has not been established, and that its action in the liver disease MASH is not fully understood.16

What the human trials show

Large randomized, placebo-controlled trials have tested semaglutide in people: STEP 1 (1,961 adults with obesity or overweight and no diabetes), SUSTAIN-6 (3,297 people with type 2 diabetes), SELECT (17,604 adults with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, no diabetes) and FLOW (3,533 people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease).25272628

In STEP 1, average weight change at 68 weeks was -14.9% with semaglutide vs -2.4% with placebo.25 Cardiovascular death, nonfatal heart attack or nonfatal stroke occurred in 6.6% vs 8.9% in SUSTAIN-6 and in 6.5% vs 8.0% in SELECT.2726 In FLOW, the risk of the main outcome (kidney failure, a fall of at least 50% in kidney function, or kidney or cardiovascular death) was 24% lower than with placebo.28 In a liver trial (ESSENCE), MASH resolved without worsening fibrosis in 62.9% vs 34.3% at 72 weeks.29 Digestive side effects were common in the Wegovy trials, and in the STEP 1 extension, people who stopped semaglutide regained two-thirds of their lost weight within a year.3031 Full list: Semaglutide benefits and uses.

What has not been shown: none of this testing covers research-labeled vials, which FDA treats as unapproved drugs that are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness or quality.1912 Whether the thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents matter for people is still unknown.32

By goal: Semaglutide and weight loss and Semaglutide and blood sugar. By brand: What is Ozempic?, What is Wegovy? and What is Rybelsus?. Side by side: Ozempic vs Semaglutide, Semaglutide vs Wegovy, Rybelsus vs Semaglutide, Mounjaro vs Semaglutide and GLP-1 vs Semaglutide. The drug class is explained in What is GLP-1?, and a related compound in What is Tirzepatide?.

Side effects

Digestive effects are the most common. In the Wegovy weight-reduction trials in adults (2.4 mg weekly), nausea affected 44% of people vs 16% on placebo, diarrhea 30% vs 16%, vomiting 24% vs 6% and constipation 24% vs 11%.30 The labels carry a boxed warning because semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents; whether it does so in people is unknown.32 Rarer serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and kidney injury after fluid loss.333435 Full list: Semaglutide side effects.

Dosage information

Every approved semaglutide product is prescription only, so the prescriber sets the dose.89 Label schedules for the weekly injections start at 0.25 mg for 4 weeks and rise in steps of at least 4 weeks, to an Ozempic maximum of 2 mg and a recommended Wegovy maintenance dose of 2.4 mg (up to 7.2 mg for adult weight reduction).3637 Daily tablets range from 1.5 mg to 25 mg, and the Wegovy label puts oral bioavailability at about 1% to 2%, against 89% for the injection.101138 No dose is approved for research-labeled vials, which have no approved application.12 Full schedule: Semaglutide dosage.

Reconstitution and storage

The approved medicines need no mixing. Ozempic comes as a clear, colorless solution in prefilled pens or single-dose syringes, and the tablets are taken by mouth.3940 Before first use, Ozempic pens are stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C; Wegovy pens are refrigerated too but may be kept at 8°C to 30°C for up to 28 days. Neither may be frozen.4142

The research vial in our shop (Semaglutide for sale) is different: it holds a freeze-dried solid labeled for research use only, and it is not a medicine or a substitute for one. No FDA-reviewed mixing or storage instructions exist for research-labeled semaglutide.12 Lab handling, concentration math and storage facts are on How to reconstitute Semaglutide.

Regulatory status

Novo Nordisk holds every US approval for semaglutide, and every approved product is prescription only.891011

Product Form First FDA approval
Ozempic Weekly injection: pens (0.25, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg doses) and single-dose syringes December 5, 20178
Rybelsus Daily tablets: 3, 7 and 14 mg September 20, 201910
Wegovy Weekly injection, including Wegovy HD 7.2 mg June 4, 20219
Wegovy tablets Daily tablets: 1.5, 4, 9 and 25 mg December 22, 202511
Ozempic tablets Daily tablets: 1.5, 4 and 9 mg Listed under the Rybelsus application, NDA 21305110
  • US label uses: Ozempic injection covers blood sugar control, heart risk reduction and kidney risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes.3 Wegovy covers heart risk reduction in adults with heart disease and obesity or overweight.4 It also covers long-term weight reduction (adults with obesity or with overweight plus a weight-related condition, and children 12 and older with obesity) and noncirrhotic MASH with F2 to F3 liver fibrosis in adults.4 The MASH use is an accelerated approval, so continued approval may depend on a confirmatory trial.4 FDA added the heart indication to Wegovy on March 8, 2024.43
  • European Union: Ozempic was authorised on 8 February 2018 and Wegovy on 6 January 2022.4422 A semaglutide injection for MASH received conditional authorisation as Kayshild on 26 March 2026.15
  • Compounded copies: FDA declared the semaglutide shortage resolved on February 21, 2025.45 Its enforcement discretion for compounded copies ended for state-licensed pharmacies and physicians after an April 24, 2025 court ruling, and ran until May 22, 2025 for outsourcing facilities.45 On February 6, 2026, FDA announced it intends to restrict GLP-1 ingredients used in mass-marketed non-approved compounded drugs, and said companies cannot promote such products as generic versions of, or the same as, approved drugs.46
  • Research-labeled products: FDA warning letters in 2024 and 2025 found semaglutide labeled 'research use only' or 'not for human consumption' to be unapproved new drugs intended for people.471248 FDA's GLP-1 safety page, current as of October 1, 2026, says the same of semaglutide, tirzepatide, retatrutide, survodutide and mazdutide sold with such labels.49
  • Counterfeits: FDA found counterfeit Ozempic in the US drug supply chain in lots reported from December 2023 to December 2025 (NAR0074, PAR0362 and PAR1229).18 It advises getting Ozempic only with a valid prescription through state-licensed pharmacies.18

More on Semaglutide

  • Semaglutide side effects

    Side effects of Semaglutide as reported in labels, trials and published studies, with links to the full profile. Reviewed by a qualified reviewer.

  • Semaglutide dosage

    Published dosing information for Semaglutide from labels and studies, with its source, and why it is not advice for you.

  • Semaglutide benefits and uses

    What published sources report about Semaglutide and its uses, with the evidence level of each finding. No promises.

  • How to reconstitute Semaglutide

    How Semaglutide is reconstituted, the supplies used, and the calculator, step by step. Sourced and reviewed.

Semaglutide in the store

Semaglutide for sale: strengths, stock and shipping are on the product page.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Read the research use policy.

Related reading

Related profiles

Comparisons

Semaglutide and research goals

Frequently asked questions

What is a brand name for semaglutide?

In the US, semaglutide is sold as Ozempic (weekly injection or daily tablets) and Rybelsus (daily tablets), both for type 2 diabetes.35810 Wegovy, a weekly injection (including Wegovy HD 7.2 mg) or daily tablets, is the brand for weight management and heart risk reduction, and the injection also covers the liver disease MASH.4911 In the EU, a semaglutide injection for MASH is authorised as Kayshild.15 All are Novo Nordisk products.89101115

Is semaglutide a GLP-1 inhibitor?

No. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist: it binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor, the same target as the body's own GLP-1, rather than blocking it.16 FDA's pharmacologic class for semaglutide is GLP-1 receptor agonist.6 What it resists is breakdown: the Aib substitution at position 8 protects it from the enzyme DPP-4, one reason its half-life is about a week.172

Is semaglutide a controlled substance?

No. Semaglutide is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance; DailyMed lists 'DEA Schedule: None' for Ozempic.3 It is still prescription only in the US, and every FDA-approved semaglutide product, injection or tablet, carries prescription status on Drugs@FDA.891011 Research-labeled semaglutide is a separate matter: FDA treats it as an unapproved new drug when it is intended for people.12

Do I need a prescription for semaglutide pills?

Yes. All semaglutide tablets sold in the US (Rybelsus, Ozempic tablets and Wegovy tablets) are prescription only, the same as the injections.1011 FDA advises getting Ozempic only with a valid prescription through state-licensed pharmacies, because counterfeit Ozempic has been found in the US supply chain.18 Semaglutide labeled for research use is not an approved alternative: FDA treats it as an unapproved new drug when it is intended for people.12

What is compounded semaglutide vs regular semaglutide?

Regular semaglutide means the FDA-approved Novo Nordisk products: Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus.8910 Compounded semaglutide is made by pharmacies, is not FDA approved and does not go through FDA review for safety, effectiveness and quality.19 Some compounders used semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate, which FDA calls different active ingredients, and FDA had 990 adverse event reports linked to compounded semaglutide as of May 31, 2026.2021

Who makes semaglutide?

Novo Nordisk holds the FDA approvals for Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, and the EU authorisations for Wegovy and Kayshild.8910112215 In the approved medicine, the peptide backbone is produced by yeast fermentation.17 Compounded and research-labeled semaglutide come from other sources and are not FDA approved.1912

Is semaglutide banned in sports?

Not as of October 2026. Semaglutide is on WADA's Monitoring Program, which covers substances not on the Prohibited List; from January 1, 2026, that monitoring covers markers of semaglutide and, additionally, tirzepatide, in and out of competition.1314 In its 2027 Prohibited List announcement, WADA said the status of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, stays unchanged for 2027, because there is not enough evidence to conclude they meet the criteria for the List.14 Athletes should confirm current rules with their anti-doping organization.

Written by D2C Peptides Editorial Team.

Pending qualified review.

Updated .

Sources

  1. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection prescribing information, section 12.1 Mechanism of Action. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Novo Nordisk label, revised 5/2026), 2026.
  2. WEGOVY (semaglutide) prescribing information, section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (elimination). DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Novo Nordisk label, revised 6/2026), 2026.
  3. Same source as 1: Indications and Usage; DailyMed listing.
  4. Same source as 2: WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets prescribing information, section 1 Indications and Usage.
  5. OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets and RYBELSUS (semaglutide) tablets prescribing information, Indications and Usage. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine (Novo Nordisk label, revised 1/2026), 2026.
  6. Semaglutide, PubChem CID 56843331: record descriptions (ChEBI, NCI Thesaurus, LiverTox, FDA Pharmacologic Class). PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  7. Semaglutide, PubChem CID 56843331: synonyms. PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  8. Drugs@FDA: OZEMPIC, NDA 209637. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  9. Drugs@FDA: WEGOVY, WEGOVY FLEXTOUCH, WEGOVY HD, NDA 215256. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  10. Drugs@FDA: OZEMPIC tablets and RYBELSUS, NDA 213051. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  11. Drugs@FDA: WEGOVY tablets, NDA 218316. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
  12. Warning Letter: Xcel Research LLC (MARCS-CMS 694608), December 10, 2024. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024.
  13. WADA publishes Prohibited List 2026. NADA Germany (National Anti Doping Agency), 25 September 2025, 2025.
  14. WADA publishes 2027 Prohibited List. World Rugby (republishing WADA's announcement), 6 October 2026, 2026.
  15. Kayshild: EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency, 2026.
  16. Same source as 2: section 12.1 Mechanism of Action.
  17. Same source as 1: section 11 Description.
  18. FDA warns consumers not to use counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) found in U.S. drug supply chain. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (content current as of 12/05/2025), 2025.
  19. FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (compounded drugs). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (content current as of 10/01/2026), 2026.
  20. Same source as 19: FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (semaglutide salt forms).
  21. Same source as 19: FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (adverse event reports, dosing errors).
  22. Wegovy: EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency.
  23. Same source as 2: sections 12.1 and 12.2 Pharmacodynamics.
  24. Discovery of the Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue Semaglutide (Lau et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 26308095. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2015.
  25. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1; Wilding et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 33567185. New England Journal of Medicine (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2021.
  26. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT; Lincoff et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 37952131. New England Journal of Medicine (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2023.
  27. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6; Marso et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 27633186. New England Journal of Medicine (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2016.
  28. Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (FLOW; Perkovic et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 38785209. New England Journal of Medicine (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2024.
  29. Phase 3 Trial of Semaglutide in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (ESSENCE; Sanyal et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 40305708. New England Journal of Medicine (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2025.
  30. Same source as 2: Highlights: most common adverse reactions; section 6.1 Table 3.
  31. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension (Wilding et al.), PubMed abstract PMID 35441470. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism (abstract via NLM PubMed E-utilities), 2022.
  32. Same source as 1: Boxed Warning.
  33. Same source as 2: Warnings (pulmonary aspiration) and section 6.2 Postmarketing Experience.
  34. Same source as 2: section 5 Warnings and Precautions (gallbladder, heart rate).
  35. Same source as 2: Highlights: Use in Specific Populations; Warnings (acute kidney injury).
  36. Same source as 1: section 2 Dosage and Administration.
  37. Same source as 2: WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets prescribing information, section 2 Dosage and Administration.
  38. Same source as 2: section 12.3 Pharmacokinetics (absorption).
  39. Same source as 1: Dosage Forms and Strengths; How Supplied.
  40. Same source as 5: Dosage and Administration.
  41. Same source as 1: section 16 Storage and Handling.
  42. Same source as 2: WEGOVY (semaglutide) Medication Guide: storage.
  43. FDA approves first treatment to reduce risk of serious heart problems specifically in adults with obesity or overweight. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (press announcement, March 8, 2024), 2024.
  44. Ozempic: EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency.
  45. FDA clarifies policies for compounders as national GLP-1 supply begins to stabilize. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (updates through 2025; content current as of 04/01/2026), 2025.
  46. FDA intends to take action against non-FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (press announcement, February 6, 2026), 2026.
  47. Warning Letter: Synthetix Inc. DBA Helix Chemical Supply (MARCS-CMS 668918), February 7, 2024. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2024.
  48. Warning Letter: USApeptide.com (MARCS-CMS 696885), February 26, 2025. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2025.
  49. Same source as 19: FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss (research-labeled and counterfeit products).