Semaglutide
Approvedaka Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Approved GLP-1 agonist. The drug that kicked off the whole weight-loss gold rush.
Mechanism
Copies the gut hormone GLP-1: slows your stomach down, kills appetite, and tightens up insulin response. Simple mechanism, huge results, which is why it's everywhere.
Regulatory & Safety Status
Approved: Ozempic and Rybelsus for diabetes, Wegovy for obesity. Get it prescribed. The compounded and grey-market stuff is where dosing accidents happen.
Research
Safety and efficacy of glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonism-based therapies in end-stage renal disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy for Obesity Under Japan's Optimal Use Guideline: A Prospective Real-World Study of Lifestyle Pre-Treatment, Time-Limited Treatment Cap, and Post-Cessation Regain
AgRP neurons are required for the weight-lowering effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists in female mice
Acute Nutritional Axonal Neuropathy in the Setting of Semaglutide-Associated Gastrointestinal Intolerance: A Case Report
STEP 1 weight management trial
Latest semaglutide research
In the News
FDA confirms semaglutide and tirzepatide off the drug shortage list
Supply is back, so the compounding pharmacies lose the shortage exemption. If you have been getting cheap compounded semaglutide, that tap is closing.
FDA warns consumers against unapproved and compounded GLP-1 products
The agency is flagging dosing mistakes and quality problems with compounded and counterfeit versions. Know your source, or skip it.
GLP-1 demand keeps obesity drugs the dominant pharma growth story
Capacity expansions and the next wave of triple-agonists keep obesity drugs the biggest story in pharma.