Clinical trial· 2021
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity.
The New England journal of medicine
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Human outcomesFDA-approved products · specific indications
Semaglutide
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Also indexed as: Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
What this evidence does not tell us
Randomized trials establish specific outcomes in selected populations. They do not validate unapproved formulations, every proposed use or self-treatment.
Terms on this page
Unfamiliar word? Open this panel for simple explanations, right here.
9 glossary terms used in this profile
Terms on this page
Unfamiliar word? Open this panel for simple explanations, right here.
9 glossary terms used in this profile
Select a word to see its meaning. You can keep more than one definition open.
Definitions explain the words—not whether a molecule works or is safe. Research education only, not medical advice.
Overview
Semaglutide is a peptide GLP-1 analog used in several FDA-approved finished medications. Product names, formulations, indications and eligible populations differ.
Mechanism of action
GLP-1 signaling
Activates GLP-1 receptors, affecting glucose-dependent insulin release, glucagon regulation, appetite and gastric emptying. Clinical outcomes must be evaluated separately for each studied population.
A biological pathway describes a proposed or observed interaction—not necessarily a demonstrated health outcome.
Decode the terminology in our glossaryPut the research in context
Simplified educational maps—not a treatment pathway or a prediction of benefit.
Scientific evidence
How strong is the evidence?
Stronger human evidence · specific uses
- Limited evidence
- Early research
- Human research
- Human outcomesCurrent category
Controlled human trials support specific outcomes in the people studied. That does not prove every claimed use, remove risks or make a treatment right for everyone.
For this research: Randomized trials establish specific outcomes in selected populations. They do not validate unapproved formulations, every proposed use or self-treatment.
An editorial guide—not a validated score, a percentage, a safety rating or an approval badge. Regulatory status is separate. More research does not mean fewer risks.
Cell studies
Mechanistic laboratory evidence is not separately assessed in this selected-source summary; see references and their study types.
Animal experiments
Animal evidence is not separately assessed here. Findings in animals must not be interpreted as demonstrated human benefit.
Human observational studies
Associations, biomarker studies and anecdotes cannot establish treatment causality; no observational result is used here to infer clinical effectiveness.
Human clinical trials
STEP 1, SUSTAIN-6 and SELECT are randomized human trials addressing different weight and cardiovascular populations.
Regulatory evidence
Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy have product-specific FDA approvals. Indications and eligible populations differ; consult the current label. Approval does not extend to research preparations.
Potential research applications
Glycemic, weight and cardiovascular outcomes in defined patient groups.
These describe scientific questions, not prescribing recommendations. A research grouping does not establish combination safety or clinical effectiveness.
Explore research by health goalSafety considerations
Label warnings include thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents (human relevance unknown), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe GI effects and dehydration-related kidney injury. Contraindicated with personal/family MTC or MEN2 or serious hypersensitivity. Weight-loss use is inappropriate in pregnancy.
This is not an exhaustive safety or contraindication list. An absence of reported harm is not proof of safety. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, cancer history, endocrine disease and concurrent medicines can materially change risk. Unregulated preparations add identity, contamination and sterility risks.
Regulatory status · United States
FDA-approved products · specific indications
Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy have product-specific FDA approvals. Indications and eligible populations differ; consult the current label. Approval does not extend to research preparations.
Read the official regulatory sourceRegulatory status and evidence strength are different. A nomination for compounding, a clinical-trial registration or a “research use only” label is not approval. International rules vary; consult the current regulator and product label.
Selected literature & source transparency
Clinical trial· 2016
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
The New England journal of medicine
Clinical trial· 2023
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.
The New England journal of medicine
Matched bibliographic records confirm a publication’s identity, not the validity of every claim. Selected sources are not a systematic literature review.
Continue your own source search
These open search results, not additional verified citations. Trial registration is not evidence that a treatment works.
Three questions worth bringing to your clinician
- Which human outcomes—not just biomarkers—support this claim?
- What established options address my actual health concern?
- What do my medical history and current medicines change about the risks?
Beyond the library
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