SemaglutideAlso known as: Ozempic, Wegovy, GLP-1 agonist

Mechanism of Action

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1, stimulating insulin secretion, suppressing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.

Reported Research Benefits

Weight management, type 2 diabetes management, appetite suppression, cardiovascular risk reduction.

Dosing Protocol & Reconstitution

Subcutaneous injection once weekly. Dose titration starts at 0.25 mg/week and escalates to a maintenance dose of 1–2.4 mg/week depending on indication and tolerance.

Research Notes

Robust clinical trial data (SUSTAIN, STEP trials) demonstrating significant weight loss and cardiovascular benefit. FDA-approved for both T2D and chronic weight management.

Research Summary

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% homology to native GLP-1, modified for weekly subcutaneous dosing. Phase III STEP trials demonstrated 15–17% mean body weight reduction over 68 weeks — the largest weight loss of any approved medication at the time of approval. It also significantly improves glycemic control, cardiovascular outcomes, and shows emerging benefits in NASH and sleep apnea.

Side Effects & Safety

GI side effects are most common: nausea (44%), diarrhea (30%), vomiting (24%), and constipation — typically dose-dependent and transient. Acute pancreatitis (rare). Thyroid C-cell hyperplasia in rodents; human risk is unproven but warrants caution in MEN-2/thyroid cancer history. Gallbladder disease increased risk. Injection site reactions.

Stability & Storage

Refer to research notes

Molecular Data

Sequence: His-Aib-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg
Molecular Formula: C187H291N45O59
Molecular Weight: 4113.58 g/mol
CAS Number: 910463-68-2

Primary literature: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=semaglutide+GLP-1+obesity+diabetes