Semaglutide
Also Known As: NN9535, Semaglutide peptide, GLP-1 agonist semaglutide, Novo Nordisk GLP-1, Semaglutide injection, Semaglutide oral, GLP-1 weight loss drug, Weight loss injection semaglutide, Diabetes GLP-1 semaglutide, Semglutide, Semagluide, Semaglutade, Ozempic shot, Wegovy injection, once-weekly GLP-1, GLP-1, GLP1, sema
Semaglutide is a research-grade GLP-1 receptor agonist targeting GLP-1 receptor studied in Weight Loss & Metabolism research. It is supplied strictly for in vitro laboratory research use only - not for human or animal consumption, and not FDA-approved.
Evidence Tier: Approved Drug - FDA and/or EMA approved with robust human trial data.
The approved GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes drug; compounded versions carry FDA cautions.
At A Glance
| Category | Weight Loss & Metabolism |
|---|---|
| Compound Class | GLP-1 receptor agonist; fatty-acid conjugated 31-amino-acid peptide analog of human GLP-1 |
| Molecular Target | GLP-1 receptor (GLP1R); cAMP/PKA signaling; pancreatic beta-cell insulin secretion; hypothalamic appetite suppression; gastric emptying delay |
| Molecular Weight | 4113.58 Da |
| Amino Acid Sequence | 31-aa GLP-1 analog (Aib2, C18 diacid) |
| CAS Number | 910463-68-2 |
| Half-Life | ~1 week |
| WADA Status | not_listed |
| Evidence Tier | Approved Drug |
Mechanism Of Action
It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that slows gastric emptying and sends strong satiety signals to the hypothalamus, drastically reducing caloric intake and managing insulin release.
Studied For
- Type 2 diabetes management
- Chronic weight management / obesity
- Cardiovascular risk reduction
- HbA1c lowering
- Appetite suppression
- Body weight reduction
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/MASH)
- Kidney disease in diabetes (SELECT trial)
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Alzheimer's / neurodegeneration research
- Addiction / substance use disorder research
- Cardiovascular outcomes improvement
- Insulin resistance
- Metabolic syndrome
- Pre-diabetes prevention
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) research
- GLP-1 receptor agonist research
- weight loss
- fat loss
- appetite suppressant
- incretin
- anti-obesity
- diabetes
- blood sugar control
- cardiovascular health
- binge eating
- craving reduction
Reported Research Findings
Strong human trials: about 15 percent weight loss at 68 weeks (STEP) and reduced major cardiovascular events (SELECT). FDA-approved.
Safety And Handling Notes
Dose-dependent gastrointestinal effects; gallbladder disease and acute pancreatitis signals; hypoglycemia mainly with insulin or sulfonylureas.
FDA boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors; contraindicated with personal or family medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. FDA cautions that compounded salt forms are not established as safe and effective.
Regulatory Status
FDA-approved: Ozempic (T2D, 2017); Rybelsus (oral T2D, 2019); Wegovy (obesity, 2021); Ozempic label expanded for CKD risk reduction in T2D (Jan 2025); Wegovy approved for MASH with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis (Aug 2025); Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide 25 mg) approved for chronic weight management and major adverse cardiovascular event risk reduction, US availability from January 2026 -- the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for weight management. Compounded salt forms (sodium/acetate) cautioned by FDA as not established safe/effective. Not on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List; semaglutide has been on the WADA Monitoring Program since 2024 (monitored, not sanctioned).
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