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Semaglutide

Also known as: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
FDA: FDA-approved (Ozempic for T2D 2017, Wegovy for weight management 2021, Rybelsus oral for T2D 2019) WADA: Not prohibited

Semaglutide is a 31-amino-acid glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk. It is a modified analog of human GLP-1(7-36) with 94% sequence homology, engineered with an Aib substitution at position 2 and a C-18 fatty diacid chain attached via a linker at Lys26 to extend half-life through albumin binding. FDA-approved under the brand names Ozempic (type 2 diabetes), Wegovy (chronic weight management), and Rybelsus (oral formulation for T2D), semaglutide has become the most widely prescribed incretin-based therapy globally. As of April 2026, it has over 4,500 publications indexed on PubMed, making it one of the most extensively studied

This content is for educational and research purposes only. VialBase does not provide medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before using any peptide.

Molecular weight 4,113.58 Da
Half-life ~7 days 168
CAS number —
Route Subcutaneous · Oral subcutaneous preferred
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Mechanism

GLP-1 receptor agonist — mimics incretin hormone to regulate appetite, insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, and gastric emptying

03

Dosing

DOSE RANGE 250–2400 mcg
FREQUENCY 1x weekly
CYCLE LENGTH Ongoing (titrate up over 16-20 weeks)

Titration schedule: 0.25mg (wk 1-4) → 0.5mg (wk 5-8) → 1.0mg (wk 9-12) → 1.7mg (wk 13-16) → 2.4mg (maintenance). Compounded versions typically come in lyophilized vials.

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Research summary

Study Type Year Key Finding
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1) Phase 3 RCT (double-blind, placebo-controlled) 2021 14.9% mean body weight loss with semaglutide 2.4mg vs 2.4% placebo at 68 weeks
Effect of Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Liraglutide on Weight Loss (STEP 8) Phase 3b RCT (open-label, head-to-head comparison) 2022 Semaglutide 2.4mg achieved 15.8% weight loss vs 6.4% with liraglutide 3.0mg at 68 weeks
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT) Phase 3 RCT (double-blind, placebo-controlled, event-driven cardiovascular outcomes trial) 2023 20% reduction in MACE (major adverse cardiovascular events) with semaglutide 2.4mg
MASH and Liver Fibrosis: Clinical Trials to Watch Review / Trial Watch 2026 Semaglutide received conditional FDA approval for MASH following positive histological responses
Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients Who Are Overweight or Obese (SELECT) — — —
A Research Study to See How Well Semaglutide Works in People With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (ESSENCE) — — —
Semaglutide in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Overweight or Obesity (FLOW) — — —
Effect of Semaglutide on Ovulation and Reproductive Outcomes in PCOS — — —
DehydraTECH-CBD + DehydraTECH-Semaglutide Combination Phase 1b in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes — — —
A Study of Semaglutide in Early Alzheimer's Disease — — —
Oral Semaglutide versus Subcutaneous Liraglutide and Placebo in Type 2 Diabetes (PIONEER 4) RCT 2019 Oral semaglutide 14mg noninferior to subcutaneous liraglutide 1.8mg for HbA1c
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT) RCT 2023 20% reduction in MACE with semaglutide 2.4mg in obesity without diabetes
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6) RCT 2016 26% reduction in MACE with semaglutide vs placebo
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1) RCT 2021 Semaglutide 2.4mg produced 14.9% mean weight loss vs 2.4% placebo
Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity (STEP 4) RCT 2021 Continued semaglutide maintained 17.4% total weight loss at 68 weeks
Two-Year Effects of Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 5) RCT 2022 Semaglutide 2.4mg produced sustained 15.2% weight loss over 2 years
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Stacking & interactions

Gut protection and GI side effect mitigation during GLP-1 therapy

Metabolic support and cellular energy optimization

Lean mass preservation during weight loss (GH axis support)

28-day resets featuring Semaglutide

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Sourcing

Current prices

Updated today

5mg

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What bloodwork do I need?

Reference ranges are general guidelines. Consult your physician for interpretation.

PRE-CYCLE
  • CMP
  • CBC
  • Lipid Panel
  • Fasting Glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Fasting Insulin
  • Amylase
  • Lipase
  • Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
DURING CYCLE
  • Fasting Glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Lipid Panel
  • Amylase
  • Lipase
POST-CYCLE
  • CMP
  • Lipid Panel
  • Fasting Glucose
  • HbA1c
  • Fasting Insulin
Safety & Regulatory Status
FDA STATUS FDA-approved (Ozempic for T2D 2017, Wegovy for weight management 2021, Rybelsus oral for T2D 2019)
WADA STATUS Not prohibited (as of 2026)

Regulatory status for Semaglutide may change. Verify current status with your jurisdiction before use. This is not legal or medical advice.

References

  1. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al.. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33567185
  2. Rubino DM, Greenway FL, Khalid U, et al.. Effect of Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Liraglutide on Weight Loss (STEP 8). JAMA (2022). PMID: 36916738
  3. Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al.. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). New England Journal of Medicine (2023). PMID: 37840095
  4. Zhang X, Wong VW. MASH and Liver Fibrosis: Clinical Trials to Watch. Med (2026). PMID: 41966712
  5. Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients Who Are Overweight or Obese (SELECT).
  6. A Research Study to See How Well Semaglutide Works in People With Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis (ESSENCE).
  7. Semaglutide in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and Overweight or Obesity (FLOW).
  8. Effect of Semaglutide on Ovulation and Reproductive Outcomes in PCOS.
  9. DehydraTECH-CBD + DehydraTECH-Semaglutide Combination Phase 1b in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.
  10. A Study of Semaglutide in Early Alzheimer's Disease.
  11. Pratley, R., Amod, A., Hoff, S.T. et al.. Oral Semaglutide versus Subcutaneous Liraglutide and Placebo in Type 2 Diabetes (PIONEER 4). Lancet (2019). PMID: 31186120
  12. Lincoff, A.M., Brown-Frandsen, K., Colhoun, H.M. et al.. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). New England Journal of Medicine (2023). PMID: 37952131
  13. Marso, S.P., Bain, S.C., Consoli, A. et al.. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6). New England Journal of Medicine (2016). PMID: 27633186
  14. Wilding, J.P.H., Batterham, R.L., Calanna, S. et al.. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33567185
  15. Rubino, D., Abrahamsson, N., Davies, M. et al.. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity (STEP 4). JAMA (2021). PMID: 33755728
  16. Garvey, W.T., Batterham, R.L., Bhatta, M. et al.. Two-Year Effects of Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 5). Nature Medicine (2022). PMID: 35132148