Guide
What is semaglutide?
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Key takeaways
- Semaglutide is a weekly shot or daily pill that copies a gut hormone, so you feel full sooner and less hungry.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
- For weight loss, it's sold as Wegovy®. Ozempic® is the same medicine, approved for type 2 diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
- In the main study, people lost about 15% of their weight on average. Paying cash, Wegovy® starts at $149 a month.2The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2021STEP 1Mean body weight fell 14.9 percent on semaglutide against 2.4 percent on placebo over 68 weeks.1,961 people · 68 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes.Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Wilding JPH, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources3Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
If you've heard of Ozempic® or Wegovy®, you've already met semaglutide.
It's the medicine inside both, and it's been around since 2017. Here's a friendly tour of what it is, how it works and how people get it.4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval letters for Ozempic® (2017), Rybelsus® (2019), Wegovy® (2021, with its later indications) and Wegovy® tablets (2025).Open the source All sources
01The basics
What is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a lab-made copy of GLP-1, a hormone your gut releases after you eat. It's about 94% the same as your own.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
GLP-1 tells your brain you've had enough and slows how fast your stomach empties, so you feel satisfied on less food.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Semaglutide is built to stay in your body for about a week, so one dose a week is enough.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Novo Nordisk makes it. The FDA first approved it in 2017, as Ozempic® for type 2 diabetes, and for weight loss in 2021, as Wegovy®.4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval letters for Ozempic® (2017), Rybelsus® (2019), Wegovy® (2021, with its later indications) and Wegovy® tablets (2025).Open the source All sources
New to all this? What is GLP-1? covers the basics of the whole family.
02The names
Wegovy®, Ozempic® or a pill: which is which?
They're all semaglutide. The name tells you what it's approved for and how you take it.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval letters for Ozempic® (2017), Rybelsus® (2019), Wegovy® (2021, with its later indications) and Wegovy® tablets (2025).Open the source All sources
| Approved for | How you take it | |
|---|---|---|
| Wegovy® | Weight loss, lowering heart risk, and a liver condition called MASH | A weekly shot |
| Wegovy® pill | Weight loss and lowering heart risk | A daily pill |
| Ozempic® | Type 2 diabetes, including lowering heart and kidney risks | A weekly shot |
| Ozempic® pill | Type 2 diabetes, including lowering heart risk | A daily pill |
For weight loss, it's Wegovy®. There's also Wegovy® HD, a stronger 7.2 mg weekly dose for people who need a little more help.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Ozempic® is the diabetes version, though people often use its name for all of them.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
The Ozempic® pill replaced Rybelsus®, the first semaglutide pill, in 2026.5Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic® pill, the only FDA-approved oral peptide GLP-1 medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, soon to be available in the US. May 1, 2026.Open the source All sources
You'd only ever take one of these at a time, and your clinician will help you pick the right one.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
03How it works
How does semaglutide help you lose weight?
It turns down hunger and helps you feel full sooner.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Semaglutide acts on the parts of your brain that handle appetite, so food is less on your mind. It also slows how fast your stomach empties.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
In one study, people on semaglutide ate about a third less at an all-you-can-eat lunch than people on a placebo.6Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2021At week 20, people on semaglutide ate 35% less at an all-you-can-eat lunch than on placebo, and reported less hunger and fewer cravings.72 people · 20 weeks. Adults with obesity. Funded by Novo Nordisk.The effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesity. Friedrichsen M, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources
Most of the weight people lose is fat rather than muscle.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
And no, it isn't insulin. It helps your body release its own insulin when blood sugar is high, which is why it also treats diabetes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
04Who it's for
Who can take semaglutide for weight loss?
Wegovy® is for adults with obesity, or with overweight plus a weight-related condition, like high blood pressure.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
In practice, that usually means a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a condition.4U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA approval letters for Ozempic® (2017), Rybelsus® (2019), Wegovy® (2021, with its later indications) and Wegovy® tablets (2025).Open the source All sources
The Wegovy® shot is also approved for teens 12 and older with obesity. The pill is for adults.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
You don't need to have diabetes. Your clinician will look at your health history and help you decide whether it's a good fit.
05Shot or pill
How do you take semaglutide?
You can take it as a weekly shot or a daily pill.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
The shot is once a week, on the same day, at any time, with or without food. Each pen comes with the dose already set.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
The pill is once a day, first thing in the morning. You take it on an empty stomach with a little water, up to half a cup.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Then you wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other pills.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Either way, you start low and step up over a few months, which gives your stomach time to adjust.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Here's what to expect week by week, and how pills compare with shots.
06Results
How much weight do people lose on semaglutide?
In the main study, people on the Wegovy® shot lost about 15% of their weight over 68 weeks, about 16 months. On a placebo, they lost about 2%.2The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2021STEP 1Mean body weight fell 14.9 percent on semaglutide against 2.4 percent on placebo over 68 weeks.1,961 people · 68 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes.Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Wilding JPH, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources
On the Wegovy® pill, people lost about 14% on average.7The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2025OASIS 4People lost 13.6% of their weight on the Wegovy pill, against 2.2% on placebo, over 64 weeks.307 people · 64 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. Wharton S, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources On Wegovy® HD, it was about 19%.8The Lancet Diabetes and EndocrinologyRandomized trial · 2025STEP UPPeople lost 18.7% of their weight on semaglutide 7.2 mg, against 15.6% on 2.4 mg and 3.9% on placebo.1,407 people · 72 weeks. Adults with a BMI of 30 or more, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Wharton S, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources
Everyone in these studies also had diet and activity coaching, and results varied from person to person.
Semaglutide is usually a long-term treatment. The results last while you take it.
If you stop, some weight often comes back, so it helps to plan the long run with your clinician.9Diabetes, Obesity and MetabolismRandomized trial · 2022STEP 1 extensionA year after stopping semaglutide, people had regained about two-thirds of the weight they lost, and were still 5.6% lighter on average than when they started.327 people · 120 weeks. Adults from STEP 1, followed for a year after treatment stopped.Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Wilding JPH, et al., 2022.Read the study All sources
07Beyond weight
What else does semaglutide help with?
Its benefits go beyond the scale.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
In people with heart disease and extra weight, Wegovy® also helps protect the heart, lowering the chance of a heart attack or stroke.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
It's also approved for some people with MASH, a kind of fatty liver disease. And Ozempic® helps protect the kidneys in people with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Your clinician can tell you which of these apply to you.
08Side effects
What are the side effects like?
The most common ones are stomach-related, like nausea, diarrhea or constipation.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
They're usually mild to moderate, show up mostly while the dose is rising, and ease over time.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
A few habits make day-to-day life on semaglutide easier:
Keep your pens in the fridge
Before the cap comes off, a pen can stay out for up to 28 days if you travel, as long as it stays below 86°F.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Pick a shot day
Same day each week, any time. You can change the day if your last dose was at least two days earlier.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Eat smaller meals, slowly
Fullness arrives sooner than you're used to, so stop when you're satisfied.10Novo NordiskSourceNovo Nordisk. Wegovy®: side effects, and tips for managing nausea. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
Keep your muscles busy
Protein at every meal and strength training a few times a week help you keep muscle.11Obesity PillarsSourceMozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity Pillars. 2025;15:100181.Open the source All sources
Keep your clinician in the loop
Tell them how you're feeling, and let any doctor or dentist know you take semaglutide, so they can plan around it.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Our week-by-week guide has more on the first months.
09Cost
How much does semaglutide cost?
Paying cash, the Wegovy® pill is $149 to $299 a month, depending on the dose.3Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
The Wegovy® pen is $199 a month for your first two fills, then $349. Wegovy® HD is $399.3Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
With insurance that covers Wegovy®, a savings card can bring your copay as low as $25 a month.3Novo NordiskSourceNovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
With Medicare, the GLP-1 Bridge covers Wegovy® for $50 a month through 2027, for people who qualify.12Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesSourceCMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 6, 2026.Open the source All sources
Many online programs also offer compounded semaglutide, made by licensed pharmacies. At the programs we rank, it started at $49 to $179 a month. We checked in late September and early October 2026.
Here's how compounded GLP-1s work.
10Getting started
How do you get semaglutide?
You'll need a prescription. Many people start with an online program: you answer some health questions, and a licensed clinician decides whether semaglutide fits.
We look at clinicians, pharmacies and pricing when we rank programs, so you can start with a shortlist.
Frequently asked questions.
Is semaglutide the same as Ozempic®?
It's the medicine inside Ozempic®, and inside Wegovy® too.
Ozempic® is approved for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy® is the one approved for weight loss.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Is semaglutide made from lizards?
No. It's made in a lab, with help from yeast, and it's about 94% the same as the GLP-1 your body makes.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
Is there a generic semaglutide?
Not yet in the U.S. The FDA has tentatively approved one, but patents keep it off shelves until at least 2032.13U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026.Open the source All sources14Stanford MedicineSourceWilliams S. What compounded GLP-1s mean for patient safety. Stanford Medicine, July 16, 2026.Open the source All sources
Does it matter whether I take the shot or the pill?
Both work well.
In separate studies, people lost about 15% on the shot and about 14% on the pill.
The shot is once a week, and the pill is a daily morning routine.
Your clinician can help you choose what fits your life.2The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2021STEP 1Mean body weight fell 14.9 percent on semaglutide against 2.4 percent on placebo over 68 weeks.1,961 people · 68 weeks. Adults with BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related comorbidity, without diabetes.Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. Wilding JPH, et al., 2021.Read the study All sources7The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2025OASIS 4People lost 13.6% of their weight on the Wegovy pill, against 2.2% on placebo, over 64 weeks.307 people · 64 weeks. Adults with obesity, or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Funded by Novo Nordisk.Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. Wharton S, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources
Which works better, semaglutide or tirzepatide?
In the one study that compared them directly, people lost more on tirzepatide on average: about 20% against about 14%.
Both work well, and semaglutide also comes as a pill.15The New England Journal of MedicineRandomized trial · 2025SURMOUNT-5People lost 20.2% of their weight on tirzepatide and 13.7% on semaglutide, in the only trial to compare the two directly.751 people · 72 weeks. Adults with obesity, without diabetes. Open label, funded by Eli Lilly.Tirzepatide as compared with semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. Aronne LJ, et al., 2025.Read the study All sources
Here's how they compare.
How long does semaglutide take to work?
Weight loss builds over months.
In the main study, people had lost about 6% by three months and about 15% by a year, on average.1U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationSourceFDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.All sources
The bottom line
Semaglutide is the medicine behind Wegovy® and Ozempic®, a weekly shot or a daily pill that helps you feel full sooner.
For weight loss, it's Wegovy®, and people in the main study lost about 15% on average.
A licensed clinician can tell you whether it fits, and our ranking can help you choose a program.
By the TreatmentMD editorial team
Medical disclaimerThis content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any weight-loss program or medication. Individual results may vary.
Sources
- 1FDA prescribing information for Wegovy® injection and tablets, and Ozempic® injection and tablets: Indications and Usage; Dosage and Administration; Description; Clinical Pharmacology; Adverse Reactions.
- 2Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. doi.org
- 3NovoCare. Wegovy® (semaglutide) self-pay prices. Checked October 6, 2026. novocare.com
- 4FDA. Drugs@FDA approval letters for Ozempic® (2017), Rybelsus® (2019), Wegovy® (2021, with its later indications) and Wegovy® tablets (2025). accessdata.fda.gov
- 5Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic® pill, the only FDA-approved oral peptide GLP-1 medication for adults with type 2 diabetes, soon to be available in the US. May 1, 2026. novonordisk-us.com
- 6Friedrichsen M, Breitschaft A, Tadayon S, et al. The effect of semaglutide 2.4 mg once weekly on energy intake, appetite, control of eating, and gastric emptying in adults with obesity. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23(3):754-762. doi.org
- 7Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(11):1077-1087. doi.org
- 8Wharton S, Freitas P, Hjelmesaeth J, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2025. doi.org
- 9Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: the STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. doi.org
- 10Novo Nordisk. Wegovy®: side effects, and tips for managing nausea. Checked October 6, 2026. wegovy.com
- 11Mozaffarian D, Agarwal M, Aggarwal M, et al. Nutritional priorities to support GLP-1 therapy for obesity: a joint Advisory from the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Obesity Medicine Association, and The Obesity Society. Obesity Pillars. 2025;15:100181. nih.gov
- 12CMS. Medicare GLP-1 Bridge: information for providers. Checked October 6, 2026. cms.gov
- 13FDA. Drugs@FDA: ANDA 220314, semaglutide injection (Apotex Inc.), tentative approval April 7, 2026. accessdata.fda.gov
- 14Williams S. What compounded GLP-1s mean for patient safety. Stanford Medicine, July 16, 2026. stanford.edu
- 15Aronne LJ, et al. Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity (head-to-head trial). N Engl J Med. 2025;393(1):26-36. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2416394 doi.org
Product information
- Zepbound® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related medical condition. It is also approved for the treatment of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity, and should be used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- Ozempic® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes using the medication.
- Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not FDA-approved for weight loss; however, weight reduction has been observed in some individuals using the medication.
- Wegovy® (semaglutide) is a prescription-only injectable medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, or adults with at least one weight-related medical condition, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
- All medications require a medical evaluation and prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Individual results may vary.
Important safety information
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are prepared by state-licensed pharmacies and are not FDA approved. The FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality, and clinical trial results for brand-name drugs do not carry over to them.
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide carry a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid C-cell tumors, based on animal studies, and are not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN2, or who is pregnant. Other warnings include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and a higher risk of low blood sugar when combined with insulin or a sulfonylurea. The most common side effects are digestive, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation.
- This is a high-level summary, not a complete list. A licensed clinician will review your health history to decide whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you.
