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Start

0.25 mg

Range

0.25–2.4 mg

Frequency

Once weekly

Cycle

Ongoing, titrated every 4 weeks

Vials

3 / 5 / 10 mg

Titration

1. Weeks 1–4: 0.25 mg
2. Weeks 5–8: 0.5 mg
3. Weeks 9–12: 1.0 mg
4. Weeks 13–16: 1.7 mg
5. Weeks 17+: 2.4 mg

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist modified with a fatty-acid side chain that binds albumin, giving it a roughly week-long half-life. GLP-1 receptor activation increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, lowers glucagon, slows gastric emptying and acts on brain appetite centres.

• STEP 1 (adults with obesity, no diabetes): mean body-weight change of −14.9% vs −2.4% with placebo at week 68.
• SUSTAIN-6 (type 2 diabetes): major cardiovascular events in 6.6% vs 8.9% with placebo (hazard ratio 0.74).
• SELECT (cardiovascular disease + overweight, no diabetes): primary cardiovascular events in 6.5% vs 8.0% (hazard ratio 0.80).

• FDA-approved (as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) for specific indications; research-grade material is not an approved product.
• Gastrointestinal effects were the most common adverse events; in SELECT, 16.6% stopped treatment for adverse events vs 8.2% on placebo.
• SUSTAIN-6 reported more diabetic retinopathy complications in the semaglutide group.

3 references · view