What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) is a medicine used for weight loss in specific patients, and to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in type two diabetes patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite.

Semaglutide is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes.

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Semaglutide

Generic name: semaglutide
Brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection, tablet
Drug class: Incretin mimetics

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 23, 2023.

• Uses
• Warnings
• Before taking
• Dosage
• Side effects
• Interactions
• FAQ

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) is a medicine used for weight loss in specific patients, and to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in type two diabetes patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist and works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying and reducing appetite.

Semaglutide is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes.

Each of the different brands of semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelus) are FDA approved for different conditions.

What is the difference between Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelus? 

The different brands of semaglutide have different uses and different forms:

• Wegovy (subcutaneous injection) is used for weight management for a specific group of patients and is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly.
• Ozempic (subcutaneous injection) is used lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients, along with diet and exercise. It is also used for diabetic patients who already have cardiovascular disease, to help lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke. Ozempic is given as a subcutaneous injection weekly. 
• Rybelsus (tablet) is used to lower blood sugar levels for type two diabetic patients along with diet and exercise, and is taken as a tablet once a day.

How does semaglutide work?

Semaglutide works to lower high blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin that is released, lowering the amount of glucagon released and by delaying gastric emptying. Semaglutide also controls appetite and so helps you reduce the amount of food that you want to eat.  Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist

How should I take semaglutide?

Wegovy and Ozempic are given as a subcutaneous injection once a week.

Rybelsus is a tablet that you take once a day in the morning, 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medicines. You may eat, drink or take oral medicine 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus

Dosing information:

Ozempic dose

Ozempic injection 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose pen. 

• Pen can deliver  0.25 mg or 0.5 mg doses.
• 2mg/1.5mL (1.34mg/mL)
• Each 1.5 ml pen contains 8 doses of 0.25mg or 4 doses of 0.5mg. 

Ozempic injection 1 mg dose pen.

• Pen delivers a 1mg dose.
• 4mg/3mL (1.34mg/mL)
• Each 3ml pen contains 4 doses.

Ozempic injection 2mg dose pen.

• Pen delivers a 2mg dose.
• 8mg/3mL (2.68 mg/mL)
• Each 3ml pen contains 4 doses.