What is semaglutide?

Uses Warnings Dosage Side effects Interactions Pregnancy

Semaglutide is a medicine used for weight loss in specific patients, and to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in type two diabetes patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite.

Semaglutide is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes.

Each of the different brands of semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelus) are FDA approved for different conditions.

What is the difference between Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelus?

The different brands of semaglutide have different uses and different forms:

Wegovy (subcutaneous injection) is used for weight management for a specific group of patients and is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly.

Ozempic (subcutaneous injection) is used lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients, along with diet and exercise. It is also used for diabetic patients who already have cardiovascular disease, to help lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. Ozempic is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly.

Rybelsus (tablet) is used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients along with diet and exercise, and is taken as a tablet once a day.

Warnings

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.

You should not use semaglutide if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use semaglutide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands);

a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer); or

diabetic ketoacidosis (call your doctor for treatment).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a stomach or intestinal disorder;

pancreatitis;

kidney disease; or

eye problems caused by diabetes (retinopathy).

In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Men and women should stop using semaglutide at least 2 months before you plan to get pregnant. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this Ozempic or Wegovy.

You should not breastfeed while using Rybelsus.

Semaglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How does semaglutide work?

Semaglutide works to lower high blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin that is released, lowering the amount of glucagon released and by delaying gastric emptying. Semaglutide also controls appetite and so helps you reduce the amount of food that you want to eat.  Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist

How should I take semaglutide?

Wegovy and Ozempic are given as a subcutaneous injection once a week.

Rybelsus is a tablet that you take once a day in the morning, 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medicines. You should eat within 30-60 minutes of taking Rybelsus