Semaglutide
Also known as: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, NN9535
Semaglutide (also called Ozempic or Wegovy) is an FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist. GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central pathways. Fatty-acid acylation extends half-life to about 1 week. FDA-approved long-acting GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic/Rybelsus) and chronic weight management (Wegovy).
For research use only.
Key Facts
- CAS
- 910463-68-2
- Molecular Weight (MW)
- 4113.58 g/mol
- Half-life
- Approximately 1 week
- FDA status
- Approved
- Evidence level
- FDA Approved
- Human dose established
- Yes
- Administration Route
- Subcutaneous
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Last updated
- Sep 26, 2026
- Reviewed
- Aug 30, 2026
- Targets
- GLP-1 receptor
Vendor price snapshot
Each vendor counts once, at the median price per mg of its own listings; the typical range is the middle half of vendors. From public vendor listings collected between Dec 2025 and Sep 2026, so confirm the live price on the vendor site. Peptide Library does not sell peptides.
- Vendors listing this peptide
- 23
- Listed offers
- 57
- Median price per mg
- $9.50/mg
- Typical $6.00–$13.50/mg
Research summary
FDA-approved long-acting GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic/Rybelsus) and chronic weight management (Wegovy). Weekly injection or daily oral tablet. Not WADA-prohibited (monitoring program).
Peptide Library's Semaglutide profile summarises 5 cited studies listed in the Science section, the compound's regulatory status, and research-protocol parameters reported for it. It is a research reference, not medical advice.
Semaglutide dosage chart
Semaglutide has an FDA-approved human dosage. Approved subcutaneous dosing differs by product and indication: Ozempic is titrated from 0.25 mg to a maximum of 2 mg once weekly for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is titrated to a 2.4 mg once-weekly maintenance dose for weight reduction and cardiovascular risk reduction, with escalation to a maximum of 7.2 mg once weekly permitted for weight reduction in adults.
| Human dosing established | Yes |
|---|---|
| Studied dose range | 0.25–7.2 mg once weekly, depending on product and indication |
| Route | Subcutaneous |
| Frequency | Once weekly |
| Duration studied | Continuous; titration reaches maintenance at week 17 (Wegovy) |
| Titration | Wegovy: 0.25 mg weeks 1–4, 0.5 mg weeks 5–8, 1 mg weeks 9–12, 1.7 mg weeks 13–16, maintenance from week 17. Ozempic: 0.25 mg for 4 weeks, then 0.5 mg, then 1 mg, then 2 mg, each step after at least 4 weeks. |
| Half-life | Approximately 1 week |
| Evidence level | FDA Approved |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-05 |
Research-reported dosing
Doses as studied, one row per regimen. Different trials used different regimens; they are listed separately rather than averaged.
| Study / context | Population | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Outcome studied | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FDA label — Wegovy, weight reduction in adultsFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Adults with obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition | 2.4 mg maintenance (1.7 mg alternative); maximum 7.2 mg | Subcutaneous | Once weekly | Escalated over 16 weeks, then continuous | Chronic weight management | WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| FDA label — Wegovy, cardiovascular risk reductionFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight | 2.4 mg (recommended) or 1.7 mg | Subcutaneous | Once weekly | Continuous | Major adverse cardiovascular events | WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| FDA label — Ozempic, type 2 diabetesFDA-approved label · FDA prescribing information | Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus | 0.5 mg, 1 mg or 2 mg maintenance; maximum 2 mg | Subcutaneous | Once weekly | Continuous; 0.25 mg for the first 4 weeks is a starting dose, not a maintenance dose | Glycaemic control; cardiovascular and renal outcomes | OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection — FDA prescribing information, DailyMed |
| STEP 1 — phase 3 randomised trial (Wilding et al., 2021)Clinical trial · Phase 3 double-blind randomised controlled trial | Adults with BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a weight-related condition, without diabetes | 2.4 mg | Subcutaneous | Once weekly | 68 weeks | Percentage change in body weight | Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021. |
Where sources disagree
- Maximum approved dose differs by product and indication: 2 mg once weekly under the Ozempic label versus up to 7.2 mg once weekly for weight reduction in adults under the Wegovy label. A dose that is above the ceiling for one product is within the label for another, so a single "maximum semaglutide dose" figure is not meaningful without naming the product and indication.
- The 0.25 mg starting dose is an escalation step in both labels and is explicitly not intended as a maintenance dose. It is sometimes quoted elsewhere as a standalone low-dose protocol, which the labelling does not support.
Reconstitution
Common research vial sizes: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.
| Vial | Bacteriostatic water | Concentration | Per 0.01 mL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 25 mcg per 0.01 mL |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5 mg/mL | 50 mcg per 0.01 mL |
These figures are arithmetic only — they convert a vial and a volume into a concentration. They are not a recommendation to take any dose.
Calculate reconstitution & dose →Handling & administration
- Reconstitution Guide
- Prefilled pen - no reconstitution needed
- Injection Sites
- AbdomenThighUpper arm
- Concentration Example
- Pre-filled pen: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1.0 mg, 1.7 mg, or 2.4 mg per dose
- Timing Notes
- Inject subcutaneously once weekly, same day each week, with or without food
- Expected Onset
- Weight loss effects typically seen within 4-8 weeks
Sequence & molecular data
| Molecular formula | C187H291N45O59 |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 4113.58 g/mol |
| CAS number | 910463-68-2 |
| Half-life | ~7 days |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder (API) |
| Formulation | Prefilled Pen |
| PubChem CID | 56843331 |
| FDA UNII | 53AXN4NNHX |
Identifiers link to the public PubChem, FDA Substance Registration (UNII), ChEMBL and DrugBank records for the same entity.
Science
Mechanism of Action
GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central pathways. Fatty-acid acylation extends half-life to about 1 week.
Origin
Acylated human GLP-1 analog.
Targets
Studies
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Semaglutide: A Systematic Review
- Subcutaneously administered tirzepatide vs semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
- Acute pancreatitis due to different semaglutide regimens: An updated meta-analysis
- Assessment of Thyroid Carcinogenic Risk and Safety Profile of GLP1-RA Semaglutide (Ozempic) Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Regulatory & research status
Semaglutide is an FDA-approved product for specific labelled indications. Approval does not extend to the research contexts described on this page, and approved products are prescription medicines.
| FDA status | Approved |
|---|---|
| Availability | Prescription-Only |
| WADA (sport) | Permitted |
| Library classification | FDA-Approved |
Benefits
Semaglutide side effects
The effects below are drawn from Semaglutide's prescribing information, which lists the full adverse-reaction data.
Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Pancreatitis (rare)
- Diabetic retinopathy complications (rare)
Contraindications
- Personal/family history of MTC or MEN2
- Prior serious hypersensitivity
Storage & stability
Lyophilized (freeze-dried) peptide powder is far more stable than the reconstituted solution. Keep sealed vials cold, dry and away from light; long-term storage is typically frozen, with short-term refrigeration for vials in use.
Once reconstituted in bacteriostatic water, keep the solution refrigerated, avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles and agitation, and label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration. Discard any solution that turns cloudy or shows particulates.
Degradation rates differ by sequence: peptides containing methionine, cysteine, asparagine or glutamine are more prone to oxidation and deamidation, so shelf life after reconstitution is compound-specific rather than universal.
Read the full guide: how to store peptides before and after reconstitution →
Source: Manning MC, Chou DK, Murphy BM, Payne RW, Katayama DS. Stability of protein pharmaceuticals: an update. Pharm Res. 2010;27(4):544–575. (PMID 20143256). General guidance for research handling; not product-specific instructions.
Semaglutide: frequently asked questions
What is Semaglutide?
FDA-approved long-acting GLP-1 agonist for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic/Rybelsus) and chronic weight management (Wegovy). Weekly injection or daily oral tablet. Not WADA-prohibited (monitoring program). GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central pathways. Fatty-acid acylation extends half-life to about 1 week.
What are the side effects of Semaglutide?
Side effects recorded for Semaglutide from its prescribing information include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, gastroesophageal reflux, pancreatitis (rare) and diabetic retinopathy complications (rare). Cautions recorded on this profile: personal/family history of MTC or MEN2 and prior serious hypersensitivity. Research-grade vials sold online are not the licensed product. This is reference information, not medical advice.
How does Semaglutide work?
GLP-1 receptor agonist that enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via central pathways. Fatty-acid acylation extends half-life to about 1 week.
Is Semaglutide FDA approved?
Yes. Semaglutide is approved by the FDA, and approved products are prescription medicines. Approval is always for specific indications studied in clinical trials, so an approved status does not mean the compound is approved for every use it is discussed for. Research-chemical material sold under the same name is not the approved product.
What is the half-life of Semaglutide?
Reported half-life for Semaglutide is ~7 days. Half-life describes how long the compound persists in circulation, not how long any effect lasts, and published figures vary with route of administration, formulation and the population studied.
Is Semaglutide banned in sport?
Semaglutide is recorded here as permitted in sport. Anti-doping status is revised annually, so athletes subject to testing should confirm against the current WADA Prohibited List before use.
What peptides are similar to Semaglutide?
Compounds most often compared with Semaglutide include Tirzepatide, Retatrutide, Liraglutide and Exenatide. They are grouped by shared mechanism or research area rather than by equivalence, and their regulatory status and evidence base differ.
How long does Semaglutide take to show effects in research protocols?
The research protocol on this profile lists an expected onset of weight loss effects typically seen within 4-8 weeks. This is a protocol note describing when studies and researchers report observing changes, not a measured clinical outcome, and it varies with the model, dose and endpoint studied.
Where is Semaglutide administered in research protocols?
Research protocols on this profile use subcutaneous (inj.) or oral (tablet) administration, with recorded sites including abdomen, thigh, upper arm. Site rotation and sterile technique are standard practice in the research literature; this describes protocol conditions and is not guidance for use.
References
- FDA Ozempic labelExternal reference
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Semaglutide: A Systematic Review — Drug Des Devel Ther, 2024External reference
- Subcutaneously administered tirzepatide vs semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials — Diabetologia, 2024External reference
- Acute pancreatitis due to different semaglutide regimens: An updated meta-analysis — Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr (Engl Ed), 2024External reference
- Assessment of Thyroid Carcinogenic Risk and Safety Profile of GLP1-RA Semaglutide (Ozempic) Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: A Systematic Literature Review — Int J Mol Sci, 2024External reference
- Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis — J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc, 2022External reference
Related research, comparisons & guides
- Tirzepatide vs. Semaglutide: What the Head-to-Head Trial Actually Found
- Semaglutide Dosage Chart: The Escalation Steps and What They Are in Units
- CagriSema: Two Molecules in One Injection
- Tirzepatide Side Effects: What the Label and the Trials Report
- Peptides for Weight Loss: What Actually Has Evidence Behind It
- Retatrutide vs Semaglutide: One Receptor or Three
- Bacteriostatic Water (BAC Water): What It Is, Uses & How Much to Add
- Oral Peptides: Why Most of Them Do Not Survive the Journey
- Mazdutide vs Retatrutide: Two Receptors or Three
- Best Time to Inject: When Timing Matters and When It Does Not
- Semaglutide Side Effects: What the Trials and Label Report
- Peptides for Women: What Differs, and What Does Not
- Peptide vs Protein: Where the Line Is Drawn
- Compounded Tirzepatide: What Changed and Why It Mostly Ended
- Retatrutide Cost: Real Prices Per Milligram From Live Listings
- Oral Tirzepatide: Why It Does Not Exist and What Does
- Retatrutide Before and After: What the Trial Data Shows Versus What Photos Show
- How to Inject Tirzepatide: Sites, Technique and Rotation
- Does Tirzepatide Make You Tired? What Causes It and What Helps
- Compounded Semaglutide: What It Was and Why It Ended
- Where to Inject Semaglutide: Sites, Rotation and Technique
- Oral Semaglutide: The Tablet That Actually Exists
- Tirzepatide
- Retatrutide
- GLP-1 and metabolic peptidesCategory
- Peptide stacks: combinations by research goalStacks
- Peptide dosage chart: dose, route and frequencyCategory
- Semaglutide calculator: reconstitution and syringe units
- How to store peptides before and after reconstitution
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Compiled by Peptide Library Editorial · Reviewed Aug 30, 2026 · Updated Sep 26, 2026 · Version 5
This Semaglutide profile is compiled from published literature (5 cited studies linked above), public regulatory records and chemical registries. It describes what research reports; it is not medical advice, and nothing here is a dosing recommendation for humans. Peptide Library does not sell peptides. Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled · Report an error
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