Semaglutide

{{Short description|Anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medication}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2026}} {{cs1 config|name-list-style=vanc|display-authors=6}} {{Infobox drug | image = Semaglutid 3Letter.svg | image_class = skin-invert-image | width = 350 | alt = Structure of Semaglutide | image2 = | caption =

| pronounce = {{IPAc-en|s|ɛ|m|ˈ|æ|g|l|ʊ|t|aɪ|d}} {{respell|sem|AG|luu|tyde}} or {{IPAc-en|ˌ|s|ɛ|m|ə|ˈ|g|l|uː|t|aɪ|d|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Naomi Persephone Amethyst (NaomiAmethyst)-semaglutide.wav}} {{respell|SEM|ə|GLOO|tyde}} | tradename = Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, others | Drugs.com = {{Drugs.com|monograph|semaglutide}} | MedlinePlus = a618008 | DailyMedID = Semaglutide | pregnancy_AU = D | pregnancy_AU_comment = <ref name="AusPAR: Semaglutide" /><ref name="Rybelsus APMDS">{{cite web | date = 22 February 2022 | title = Rybelsus APMDS | publisher = Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | url = https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/auspmd/rybelsus | access-date = 23 February 2022 }}</ref> | pregnancy_category = | routes_of_administration = Subcutaneous, oral | class = | ATC_prefix = A10 | ATC_suffix = BJ06 | ATC_supplemental =

| legal_AU = S4 | legal_AU_comment = <ref name="AusPAR: Semaglutide" /><ref name="Rybelsus APMDS" /><ref name="TGA Ozempic" /><ref>{{cite web | title = Summary for ARTG Entry: 346198 Rybelsus semaglutide 3 mg tablet blister pack | publisher = Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | url = https://tga-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?collection=tga-artg&profile=record&meta_i=346198 | access-date = 23 February 2022 | archive-date = 24 February 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220224072337/https://tga-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?collection=tga-artg&profile=record&meta_i=346198 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 7 October 2022 | title = Wegovy (Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd) | publisher = Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | url = https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/prescription-medicines-registrations/wegovy-novo-nordisk-pharmaceuticals-pty-ltd | access-date = 7 April 2023 | archive-date = 14 April 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230414192908/https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/prescription-medicines-registrations/wegovy-novo-nordisk-pharmaceuticals-pty-ltd | url-status = live }}</ref> | legal_BR =  | legal_BR_comment = | legal_CA = Rx-only | legal_CA_comment = /{{nbsp}}Schedule D<ref>{{cite report | date = 21 August 2020 | title = Product Monograph Including Patient Medication Information – Ozempic semaglutide injection | publisher = Novo-Nordisk Canada | url = https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00058023.PDF | access-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-date = 7 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210607034549/https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00058023.PDF | url-status = live | orig-date = Initial approval 4 January 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report | date = 30 March 2020 | title = Product Monograph Including Patient Medication Information – Rybelsus semaglutide tablets | publisher = Novo-Nordisk Canada | url = https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00055582.PDF | access-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-date = 14 December 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211214093723/https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00055582.PDF | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 23 October 2014 | title = Regulatory Decision Summary – Rybelsus | website = Health Canada | url = https://hpr-rps.hres.ca/reg-content/regulatory-decision-summary-detail.php?linkID=RDS00625 | access-date = 4 June 2022 | archive-date = 5 June 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220605060327/https://hpr-rps.hres.ca/reg-content/regulatory-decision-summary-detail.php?linkID=RDS00625 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 14 October 2020 | title = Drug and medical device highlights 2018: Helping you maintain and improve your health | website = Health Canada | url = https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/drugs-health-products/drug-medical-device-highlights-2018.html | access-date = 17 April 2024 | archive-date = 17 April 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240417063539/https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/publications/drugs-health-products/drug-medical-device-highlights-2018.html | url-status = live }}</ref> | legal_DE =  | legal_DE_comment = | legal_NZ =  | legal_NZ_comment = | legal_UK = POM | legal_UK_comment = <ref>{{cite web | date = 9 April 2021 | title = Ozempic 0.25 mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) | website = (emc) | url = https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9748/smpc | access-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210606181424/https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9748/smpc | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 25 November 2020 | title = Rybelsus – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) | website = (emc) | url = https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11507/smpc | access-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210606181424/https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11507/smpc | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Wegovy SmPC">{{cite web | date = 27 November 2024 | title = Wegovy 2.4 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen SmPC | website = (emc) | url = https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/13803/smpc | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> | legal_US = Rx-only | legal_US_comment = <ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> | legal_EU = Rx-only | legal_EU_comment = <ref name="Ozempic EPAR" /><ref name="Rybelsus EPAR" /><ref name="Wegovy EPAR" /><ref>{{cite web | date = 12 February 2018 | title = Ozempic PI | website = Union Register of medicinal products | url = https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/h1251.htm | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 7 April 2020 | title = Rybelsus PI | publisher = Union Register of medicinal products | url = https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/h1430.htm | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref><ref name="Wegovy PI" /> | legal_UN =  | legal_UN_comment = | legal_status = Rx-only

| bioavailability = 89% (Subcutaneous),<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /> 1–2% (Oral)<ref name="EMA4">{{cite web | title = Rybelsus, INN-semaglutide | publisher = European Medicines Agency (EMA) | page = 21 | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/rybelsus-epar-product-information_en.pdf }}</ref> | protein_bound = | metabolism = Proteolysis | metabolites = | onset = | elimination_half-life = 7 days | duration_of_action = 63.6 hours | excretion = Urine and feces

| CAS_number = 910463-68-2 | CAS_supplemental = | PubChem = 56843331 | IUPHAR_ligand = | DrugBank = DB13928 | ChemSpiderID = 34981134 | UNII = 53AXN4NNHX | KEGG = D10025 | ChEBI = 167574 | ChEMBL = | NIAID_ChemDB = | PDB_ligand = | synonyms =  | IUPAC_name = <nowiki>18-[[(1R)-4-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[2-[[(5S)-5-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-5-amino-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[(2S)-2-[[(2S,3R)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-[[2-[[(2S)-2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-5-yl)propanoyl]amino]-2-methylpropanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxybutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-carboxypropanoyl]amino]-3-methylbutanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-hydroxypropanoyl]amino]-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoyl]amino]-4-methylpentanoyl]amino]-4-carboxybutanoyl]amino]acetyl]amino]-5-oxopentanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]propanoyl]amino]-6-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S,3S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-1-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-[[2-[[(2S)-5-carbamimidamido-1-(carboxymethylamino)-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-2-oxoethyl]amino]-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-4-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxopropan-2-yl]amino]-3-methyl-1-oxopentan-2-yl]amino]-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl]amino]-4-carboxy-1-oxobutan-2-yl]amino]-6-oxohexyl]amino]-2-oxoethoxy]ethoxy]ethylamino]-2-oxoethoxy]ethoxy]ethylamino]-1-carboxy-4-oxobutyl]amino]-18-oxooctadecanoic acid</nowiki> | C = 187 | H = 291 | N = 45 | O = 59 | SMILES = CC[C@H](C)[C@H](NC(=O)[C@H](Cc1ccccc1)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CCCCNC(=O)COCCOCCNC(=O)COCCOCCNC(=O)CC[C@H](NC(=O)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O)C(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](C)NC(=O)[C@H](CCC(N)=O)NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CC(C)C)NC(=O)[C@H](Cc1ccc(O)cc1)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@@H](NC(=O)[C@H](CC(=O)O)NC(=O)[C@H](CO)NC(=O)[C@@H](NC(=O)[C@H](Cc1ccccc1)NC(=O)[C@@H](NC(=O)CNC(=O)[C@H](CCC(=O)O)NC(=O)C(C)(C)NC(=O)[C@@H](N)Cc1c[nH]cn1)[C@@H](C)O)[C@@H](C)O)C(C)C)C(=O)N[C@@H](C)C(=O)N[C@@H](Cc1c[nH]c2ccccc12)C(=O)N[C@@H](CC(C)C)C(=O)N[C@H](C(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)NCC(=O)N[C@@H](CCCNC(=N)N)C(=O)NCC(=O)O)C(C)C | StdInChI = 1S/C187H291N45O59/c1-18-105(10)154(180(282)208-108(13)159(261)216-133(86-114-89-200-119-50-40-39-49-117(114)119)170(272)218-129(82-102(4)5)171(273)228-152(103(6)7)178(280)215-121(53-44-72-199-186(192)193)162(264)201-91-141(242)209-120(52-43-71-198-185(190)191)161(263)204-94-151(257)258)230-172(274)131(83-111-45-33-31-34-46-111)219-167(269)126(64-69-149(253)254)214-166(268)122(51-41-42-70-195-144(245)98-290-79-78-289-76-74-197-145(246)99-291-80-77-288-75-73-196-139(240)66-61-127(183(285)286)211-140(241)54-37-29-27-25-23-21-19-20-22-24-26-28-30-38-55-146(247)248)212-158(260)107(12)206-157(259)106(11)207-165(267)125(60-65-138(189)239)210-142(243)92-202-163(265)123(62-67-147(249)250)213-168(270)128(81-101(2)3)217-169(271)130(85-113-56-58-116(238)59-57-113)220-175(277)135(95-233)223-177(279)137(97-235)224-179(281)153(104(8)9)229-174(276)134(88-150(255)256)221-176(278)136(96-234)225-182(284)156(110(15)237)231-173(275)132(84-112-47-35-32-36-48-112)222-181(283)155(109(14)236)227-143(244)93-203-164(266)124(63-68-148(251)252)226-184(287)187(16,17)232-160(262)118(188)87-115-90-194-100-205-115/h31-36,39-40,45-50,56-59,89-90,100-110,118,120-137,152-156,200,233-238H,18-30,37-38,41-44,51-55,60-88,91-99,188H2,1-17H3,(H2,189,239)(H,194,205)(H,195,245)(H,196,240)(H,197,246)(H,201,264)(H,202,265)(H,203,266)(H,204,263)(H,206,259)(H,207,267)(H,208,282)(H,209,242)(H,210,243)(H,211,241)(H,212,260)(H,213,270)(H,214,268)(H,215,280)(H,216,261)(H,217,271)(H,218,272)(H,219,269)(H,220,277)(H,221,278)(H,222,283)(H,223,279)(H,224,281)(H,225,284)(H,226,287)(H,227,244)(H,228,273)(H,229,276)(H,230,274)(H,231,275)(H,232,262)(H,247,248)(H,249,250)(H,251,252)(H,253,254)(H,255,256)(H,257,258)(H,285,286)(H4,190,191,198)(H4,192,193,199)/t105-,106-,107-,108-,109+,110+,118-,120-,121-,122-,123-,124-,125-,126-,127-,128-,129-,130-,131-,132-,133-,134-,135-,136-,137-,152-,153-,154-,155-,156-/m0/s1 | StdInChI_comment = | StdInChIKey = DLSWIYLPEUIQAV-CIIFZSTISA-N | density = | density_notes = | melting_point = | melting_high = | melting_notes = | boiling_point = | boiling_notes = | solubility = | sol_units = | specific_rotation = }} [[File:Ozempic (53899794358).jpg|thumb|A semaglutide (Ozempic) self-injection pen]] thumb|A prescription vial of semaglutide (Rybelsus) pills  '''Semaglutide''' is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes, and an anti-obesity medication used for long-term weight management and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.<ref name="Singh-2022">{{cite journal | vauthors = Singh G, Krauthamer M, Bjalme-Evans M | date = January 2022 | title = Wegovy (semaglutide): a new weight loss drug for chronic weight management | journal = Journal of Investigative Medicine | volume = 70 | issue = 1 | pages = 5–13 | doi = 10.1136/jim-2021-001952 | pmc = 8717485 | pmid = 34706925 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Phillips A, Clements JN | date = February 2022 | title = Clinical review of subcutaneous semaglutide for obesity | journal = Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics | volume = 47 | issue = 2 | pages = 184–193 | doi = 10.1111/jcpt.13574 | pmid = 34964141 | s2cid = 245538758 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Amaro A, Sugimoto D, Wharton S | date = January 2022 | title = Efficacy and safety of semaglutide for weight management: evidence from the STEP program | journal = Postgraduate Medicine | volume = 134 | issue = sup1 | pages = 5–17 | doi = 10.1080/00325481.2022.2147326 | pmid = 36691309 | s2cid = 256192982 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref> It is a peptide similar to the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), modified with a side chain.<ref name="doggrell" /><ref name="goldenberg" /> It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or taken orally.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hughes S, Neumiller JJ | date = January 2020 | title = Oral Semaglutide | journal = Clinical Diabetes | volume = 38 | issue = 1 | pages = 109–111 | doi = 10.2337/cd19-0079 | pmc = 6969659 | pmid = 31975761 }}</ref> It is sold as a generic drug by several drug companies in the Indian and Canadian markets, and worldwide by its originator, Novo Nordisk, under the brand names '''Ozempic'''<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /> and '''Rybelsus'''<ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /> for diabetes, and under the brand name '''Wegovy''' for weight management, weight loss,<ref name="Wegovy SmPC" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> and metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).<ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref name="FDA 20250815" />

Semaglutide is an incretin mimetic.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> The most common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Ozempic EPAR" /><ref name="Rybelsus EPAR" /><ref name="Wegovy EPAR" />

Semaglutide was approved for medical use in the United States in 2017,<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Ozempic FDA approval" /> in Canada,<ref name="HealthCanada1" /> the European Union<ref name="Ozempic EPAR" /> and Japan in 2018,<ref name="NovoNordisk1" /> and in Australia in 2019.<ref name="AusPAR: Semaglutide" />

In 2023, it was the nineteenth most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 25{{nbsp}}million prescriptions.<ref name="Top300Drugs">{{cite web | title = Top 300 of 2023 | website = ClinCalc | url = https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/Top300Drugs.aspx | access-date = 12 August 2025 | archive-date = 12 August 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250812130026/https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/Top300Drugs.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Semaglutide Drug Usage Statistics, United States, 2014–2023 | website = ClinCalc | url = https://clincalc.com/DrugStats/Drugs/Semaglutide | access-date = 17 August 2025 }}</ref> It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.<ref name="WHO24th">{{cite book | year = 2025 | title = The selection and use of essential medicines, 2025: WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 24th list | publisher = World Health Organization | doi = 10.2471/B09474 | hdl = 10665/382243 | location = Geneva | hdl-access = free | doi-access = free | id = License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO }}</ref>

==Medical uses==

===European Union=== In the European Union, semaglutide is indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise as monotherapy when metformin is considered inappropriate due to intolerance or contraindications,<ref name="Ozempic EPAR" /><ref name="Rybelsus EPAR" /> in addition to other medicinal products for the treatment of diabetes.<ref name="Ozempic EPAR" /><ref name="Rybelsus EPAR" />

Semaglutide (as Wegovy) is further indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management, including weight loss and weight maintenance, in adults with obesity (initial {{nowrap|BMI ≥ 30 kg/m<sup>2</sup>)}} or who are overweight {{nowrap|(initial BMI ≥ 27 kg/m<sup>2</sup>)}} and have at least one weight-related comorbidity such as dysglycemia (prediabetes or type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes), hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular disease.<ref name="Wegovy EPAR" /> It is also indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adolescents (aged twelve years and older) with obesity and body weight above {{cvt|60|kg}}.<ref name="Wegovy EPAR" />

Semaglutide (in injectable form, as '''Kayshild''') is indicated for non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with moderate or advanced liver fibrosis (stage F2 or F3).<ref name="Kayshild EPAR" />

===United States=== In the United States, semaglutide is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes,<ref name="Ozempic FDA label">{{cite web | title = Ozempic – semaglutide injection, solution | website = DailyMed | url = https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79 | access-date = 5 June 2021 | archive-date = 5 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210605224054/https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label">{{cite web | title = Rybelsus – oral semaglutide tablet | website = DailyMed | url = https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27f15fac-7d98-4114-a2ec-92494a91da98 | access-date = 5 June 2021 | archive-date = 5 June 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210605223601/https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27f15fac-7d98-4114-a2ec-92494a91da98 | url-status = live }}</ref> and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" />

In combination with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, semaglutide (as Wegovy) is indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and who are either obese or overweight;<ref name="Wegovy FDA label">{{cite web | date = 30 January 2026 | title = Wegovy- semaglutide injection, solution; Wegovy- semaglutide tablet | website = DailyMed | url = https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b | access-date = 16 February 2026 }}</ref> to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in obese individuals twelve years of age or older, or for overweight adults with at least one weight-related comorbid condition.<ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref>{{cite press release |title=FDA Approves New Drug Treatment for Chronic Weight Management, First Since 2014 |date=4 June 2021 |url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014 |access-date=5 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604235421/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) }}</ref><ref name="FDA 202403082"/>

In August 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the indication for semaglutide (as Wegovy) to include the treatment of noncirrhotic metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis) in adults.<ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref name="FDA 20250815">{{cite web | date = 15 August 2025 | title = FDA Approves Treatment for Serious Liver Disease Known as 'MASH' | website = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-treatment-serious-liver-disease-known-mash | access-date = 17 August 2025 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

In October 2025, the FDA further expanded the indication for semaglutide (as Rybelsus) to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events.<ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref>{{cite press release | title=FDA approves Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide for cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk, including those who have not had a prior CV event | publisher=Novo Nordisk | via=PR Newswire | date=17 October 2025 | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-approves-novo-nordisks-oral-semaglutide-for-cardiovascular-cv-risk-reduction-in-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-who-are-at-high-risk-including-those-who-have-not-had-a-prior-cv-event-302588005.html | access-date=27 October 2025}}</ref>

In December 2025, the FDA approved an oral version of semaglutide for weight management, using the same brand name (Wegovy) as the injectable version.<ref>{{cite web | title = Wegovy (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use; Wegovy (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use | website = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/218316Orig1s000lbl.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | title=Novo Nordisk A/S: Wegovy pill approved in the US as first oral GLP-1 for weight management | publisher=Novo Nordisk | via=GlobeNewswire | date=22 December 2025 | url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/12/22/3209605/0/en/Novo-Nordisk-A-S-Wegovy-pill-approved-in-the-US-as-first-oral-GLP-1-for-weight-management.html | access-date=23 December 2025}}</ref>

==Side effects== Possible adverse effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion/heartburn, dizziness, abdominal distension, belching, hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).<ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> It has in the past been suspected to cause pancreatitis, and can cause gastroparesis and bowel obstruction.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sodhi M, Rezaeianzadeh R, Kezouh A, Etminan M | date = November 2023 | title = Risk of Gastrointestinal Adverse Events Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss | journal = JAMA | volume = 330 | issue = 18 | pages = 1795–1797 | doi = 10.1001/jama.2023.19574 | pmc = 10557026 | pmid = 37796527 }}</ref>

Among people who were prescribed a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication, 0.1% were diagnosed with gastroparesis at least six months later, which equates to a 52% increased risk of being diagnosed with gastroparesis while on a GLP-1 medication.<ref name="CNN1">{{cite web | vauthors = Goodman B | date = 20 May 2024 | title = People using popular drugs for weight loss, diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with stomach paralysis, studies confirm | website = CNN | url = https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/20/health/glp-1-drugs-stomach-paralysis/index.html | access-date = 29 September 2024 }}</ref> A 2019 meta-analysis did not indicate a significantly elevated risk of acute pancreatitis.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Abd El Aziz M, Cahyadi O, Meier JJ, Schmidt WE, Nauck MA | date = April 2020 | title = Incretin-based glucose-lowering medications and the risk of acute pancreatitis and malignancies: a meta-analysis based on cardiovascular outcomes trials | journal = Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism | volume = 22 | issue = 4 | pages = 699–704 | doi = 10.1111/dom.13924 | pmid = 31750601 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

The US prescription label for semaglutide contains a boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot">{{cite web | date = 5 December 2017 | title = Ozempic Drug Trial Snapshot | website = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/drug-trial-snapshot-ozempic | access-date = 31 December 2023 | archive-date = 31 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231231230740/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/drug-trial-snapshot-ozempic | url-status = live }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> It is unknown whether semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma, in humans.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Sande CM, Tondi Resta I, Livolsi VA | date = March 2023 | title = The Thyroid Pathologist Meets Therapeutic Pharmacology | journal = Endocrine Pathology | volume = 34 | issue = 1 | pages = 48–56 | doi = 10.1007/s12022-023-09749-1 | pmc = 9890439 | pmid = 36723855 }}</ref>

In January 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration requested removal of suicidal behavior and ideation warning from glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications.<ref>{{cite web | date = 30 January 2024 | title = FDA Requests Removal of Suicidal Behavior and Ideation Warning from Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist (GLP-1 RA) Medications | website = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-requests-removal-suicidal-behavior-and-ideation-warning-glucagon-peptide-1-receptor-agonist-glp | access-date = 15 February 2026 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

A 2024 systematic review of 6 studies found that while lean body mass was unchanged in some cases, there were instances of significant decreases in lean body mass (0–40%).<ref name="Bikou1"/> However, the review concluded that in all studies the ratio of lean body mass to total body mass increased, supporting continued use of the medication.<ref name="Bikou1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Bikou A, Dermiki-Gkana F, Penteris M, Constantinides TK, Kontogiorgis C | date = April 2024 | title = A systematic review of the effect of semaglutide on lean mass: insights from clinical trials | journal = Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy | volume = 25 | issue = 5 | pages = 611–619 | doi = 10.1080/14656566.2024.2343092 | pmid = 38629387 }}</ref>

After stopping semaglutide, individuals on average regain 67% of the weight they lost during treatment within the following year, according to a 2025 systematic review.<ref name="McGowan1">{{cite journal | vauthors = McGowan B, Ciudin A, Baker JL, Busetto L, Dicker D, Frühbeck G, Goossens GH, Monami M, Sbraccia P, Martinez-Tellez B, Woodward E, Yumuk V | date = October 2025 | title = A systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for obesity in adults | journal = Nature Medicine | volume = 31 | issue = 10 | pages = 3317–3329 | doi = 10.1038/s41591-025-03978-z | pmc = 12532627 | pmid = 41039116 | doi-access = free|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03978-z.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260306004105/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03978-z.pdf|archive-date=2026-03-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Quarenghi M, Capelli S, Galligani G, Giana A, Preatoni G, Turri Quarenghi R | date = May 2025 | title = Weight Regain After Liraglutide, Semaglutide or Tirzepatide Interruption: A Narrative Review of Randomized Studies | journal = Journal of Clinical Medicine | volume = 14 | issue = 11 | page = 3791 | doi = 10.3390/jcm14113791 | pmc = 12155999 | pmid = 40507553 | doi-access = free }}</ref> People return to their previous weight within a year and a half on average after stopping semaglutide.<ref name="West1">{{cite journal | vauthors = West S, Scragg J, Aveyard P, Oke JL, Willis L, Haffner SJ, Knight H, Wang D, Morrow S, Heath L, Jebb SA, Koutoukidis DA | date = January 2026 | title = Weight regain after cessation of medication for weight management: systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = BMJ | volume = 392 | article-number = e085304 | doi = 10.1136/bmj-2025-085304 | pmc = 12776922 | pmid = 41500720 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

== Contraindications == Semaglutide is contraindicated in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or in people with multiple endocrine neoplasia type{{nbsp}}2.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bjerre Knudsen L, Madsen LW, Andersen S, Almholt K, de Boer AS, Drucker DJ, Gotfredsen C, Egerod FL, Hegelund AC, Jacobsen H, Jacobsen SD, Moses AC, Mølck AM, Nielsen HS, Nowak J, Solberg H, Thi TD, Zdravkovic M, Moerch U | date = April 2010 | title = Glucagon-like Peptide-1 receptor agonists activate rodent thyroid C-cells causing calcitonin release and C-cell proliferation | journal = Endocrinology | volume = 151 | issue = 4 | pages = 1473–1486 | doi = 10.1210/en.2009-1272 | pmid = 20203154 | s2cid = 20934882 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

==Mechanism of action== thumb|GLP-1, which Semaglutide is similar to, regulates digestion and blood sugar. The small intestine releases GLP-1 when food is eaten. It reduces hunger, signals fullness, stimulates insulin, and inhibits glucagon, maintaining glucose levels.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist.<ref name="Ozempic FDA label" /><ref name="Rybelsus FDA label" /><ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> The drug decreases blood sugar levels. The decrease is theorized to be caused by the mimicking of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an incretin.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, Eliaschewitz FG, Jódar E, Leiter LA, Lingvay I, Rosenstock J, Seufert J, Warren ML, Woo V, Hansen O, Holst AG, Pettersson J, Vilsbøll T | date = November 2016 | title = Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 375 | issue = 19 | pages = 1834–1844 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa1607141 | pmid = 27633186 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi | hdl = 11268/7179 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> It also appears to enhance growth of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for insulin production and release.<ref name="goldenberg" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Li Y, Hansotia T, Yusta B, Ris F, Halban P, Drucker D | date = 2003 | title = Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Signaling Modulates β Cell Apoptosis | journal = The Journal of Biological Chemistry | volume = 278 | issue = 1 | pages = 471–478 | doi = 10.1074/jbc.M209423200 | pmid = 12409292 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

It inhibits the production of glucagon, the hormone that increases glycogenolysis (release of stored carbohydrate from the liver) and gluconeogenesis (synthesis of new glucose). It reduces food intake by lowering appetite and slowing down digestion in the stomach,<ref name="doggrell">{{cite journal | vauthors = Doggrell SA | date = March 2018 | title = Semaglutide in type 2 diabetes – is it the best glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1R agonist)? | journal = Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology | volume = 14 | issue = 3 | pages = 371–377 | doi = 10.1080/17425255.2018.1441286 | pmid = 29439603 | url = https://eprints.qut.edu.au/121664/2/121664.pdf | access-date = 12 December 2019 | archive-date = 5 May 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200505082922/https://eprints.qut.edu.au/121664/2/121664.pdf | url-status = live | s2cid = 3421553 }}</ref> helping reduce body weight.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dhillon S | date = February 2018 | title = Semaglutide: First Global Approval | journal = Drugs | volume = 78 | issue = 2 | pages = 275–284 | doi = 10.1007/s40265-018-0871-0 | pmid = 29363040 | s2cid = 46851453 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Blundell J, Finlayson G, Axelsen M, Flint A, Gibbons C, Kvist T, Hjerpsted JB | date = September 2017 | title = Effects of once-weekly semaglutide on appetite, energy intake, control of eating, food preference and body weight in subjects with obesity | journal = Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism | volume = 19 | issue = 9 | pages = 1242–1251 | doi = 10.1111/dom.12932 | pmc = 5573908 | pmid = 28266779 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

==Structure and pharmacology== thumb|upright=1.5|A schematic representation of the structures of semaglutide and liraglutide, compared to GLP-1

Semaglutide is chemically similar to human GLP-1.<ref name="pmid26308095" /> The first six amino acids of GLP-1 are missing.<ref name="pmid26308095" /> Substitutions are made at GLP positions 8 and 34 (semaglutide positions 2 and 28), where alanine and lysine are replaced by 2-aminoisobutyric acid and arginine, respectively.<ref name="pmid26308095">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lau J, Bloch P, Schäffer L, Pettersson I, Spetzler J, Kofoed J, Madsen K, Knudsen LB, McGuire J, Steensgaard DB, Strauss HM, Gram DX, Knudsen SM, Nielsen FS, Thygesen P, Reedtz-Runge S, Kruse T | date = September 2015 | title = Discovery of the Once-Weekly Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Analogue Semaglutide | journal = Journal of Medicinal Chemistry | volume = 58 | issue = 18 | pages = 7370–7380 | doi = 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00726 | pmid = 26308095 | s2cid = 20228358 }}</ref> The substitution of the alanine prevents chemical breakdown by dipeptidyl peptidase-4.<ref name="pmid24608440" />

The lysine at GLP position 26 (semaglutide position 20) has a long chain attached, ending with a chain of 18 carbon atoms and a carboxyl group.<ref name="pmid24608440" /> This increases the drug's binding to blood protein (albumin), which enables longer presence in the blood circulation.<ref name="pmid24608440">{{cite journal | vauthors = Gotfredsen CF, Mølck AM, Thorup I, Nyborg NC, Salanti Z, Knudsen LB, Larsen MO | date = July 2014 | title = The human GLP-1 analogs liraglutide and semaglutide: absence of histopathological effects on the pancreas in nonhuman primates | journal = Diabetes | volume = 63 | issue = 7 | pages = 2486–2497 | doi = 10.2337/db13-1087 | pmid = 24608440 | s2cid = 35102048 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

Semaglutide's half-life in the blood is about seven days (165–184 hours).<ref name="goldenberg">{{cite journal | vauthors = Goldenberg RM, Steen O | date = March 2019 | title = Semaglutide: Review and Place in Therapy for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes | journal = Canadian Journal of Diabetes | volume = 43 | issue = 2 | pages = 136–145 | doi = 10.1016/j.jcjd.2018.05.008 | pmid = 30195966 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kapitza C, Nosek L, Jensen L, Hartvig H, Jensen CB, Flint A | date = May 2015 | title = Semaglutide, a once-weekly human GLP-1 analog, does not reduce the bioavailability of the combined oral contraceptive, ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel | journal = Journal of Clinical Pharmacology | volume = 55 | issue = 5 | pages = 497–504 | doi = 10.1002/jcph.443 | pmc = 4418331 | pmid = 25475122 }}</ref>

==Manufacturing== Semaglutide has been approved in biologically and chemically synthesized forms.<ref name="CBCNews1">{{citation|author1-last=La Grassa|author1-first=Jennifer|title=Generic Ozempic is now on Canadian shelves. Is it the same as the brand name version?|date=2026-05-20 |website=CBC News website|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/generic-semaglutide-ozempic-wegovy-9.7204671|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260520160116/https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/generic-semaglutide-ozempic-wegovy-9.7204671|archive-date=2026-05-20}}</ref> Approval of the original brand-name versions (such as Ozempic) was based on a biologic (recombinant DNA) production process using a genetically-modified yeast (''Saccharomyces cerevisiae'') to produce a precursor to semaglutide, and subsequent chemical processes (protein purification) to create the active ingredient.<ref name="CBCNews1" /><ref name="TGA1">{{citation|title=Australian Product Information: Ozempic® (semaglutide) solution for injection|date=2020-10-30|website=Therapeutic Goods Administration website|url=https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-semaglutide-201030-pi.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250608205849/https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/auspar-semaglutide-201030-pi.pdf|archive-date=2025-06-08}}</ref>{{rp|p=1}}<ref name="EMA5">{{citation|title=Assessment report: Ozempic|date=2021-11-11|website=European Medicines Agency website|url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/variation-report/ozempic-h-c-004174-x-0021-epar-assessment-report-variation_en.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250206160755/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/variation-report/ozempic-h-c-004174-x-0021-epar-assessment-report-variation_en.pdf|archive-date=2025-02-06}}</ref>{{rp|p=10}} Approval of generic versions has instead been based on fully chemical syntheses that yield the same semaglutide molecule from the assembly of amino acids.<ref name="CBCNews1" />

Compounded drug versions of semaglutide have been created and made widely available, albeit without approval.<ref name="Reuters9" />

==History== In the 1970s, Jens Juul Holst and Joel Habener began research on GLP-1, initially in relation to duodenal ulcer disease.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine | vauthors = Reynolds M | title = What the Scientists Who Pioneered Weight-Loss Drugs Want You to Know | magazine = Wired | url = https://www.wired.com/story/obesity-drugs-researcher-interview-ozempic-wegovy/ | access-date = 15 May 2024 | archive-date = 15 May 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240515225931/https://www.wired.com/story/obesity-drugs-researcher-interview-ozempic-wegovy/ | url-status = live | issn = 1059-1028 }}</ref> They were examining hormones secreted during eating, and testing them on pig pancreases, leading to the discovery of GLP-1's significant effects in 1988. Their work, which later contributed significantly to diabetes and obesity treatments, earned them and Daniel J. Drucker the 2021 Warren Alpert Foundation Prize.<ref name=":0" />

Research continued, and in 1993, Michael Nauck managed to infuse GLP-1 into people with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes, stimulating insulin while inhibiting glucagon and bringing blood glucose to normal levels. However, treating diabetes with GLP-1 hormones resulted in significant side effects, leading researchers financed by Novo Nordisk to start looking to develop a suitable compound for therapeutic use.<ref name=":0" /> In 1998, a team of researchers at Novo Nordisk led by Lotte Bjerre Knudsen developed liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that could be used to treat diabetes.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Müller MU, Preker A | date = 4 January 2024 | title = Interview with Weight Loss Drugs Inventor Lotte Bjerre Knudsen: "I'm Experimenting with Periodic Fasting" | work = Der Spiegel | url = https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-weight-loss-drugs-inventor-lotte-bjerre-knudsen-a-f2815950-ff24-4e87-b7e9-b6d6c1982d57 | access-date = 15 May 2024 | archive-date = 25 August 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240825124435/https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/interview-with-weight-loss-drugs-inventor-lotte-bjerre-knudsen-a-f2815950-ff24-4e87-b7e9-b6d6c1982d57 | url-status = live | issn = 2195-1349 }}</ref> This was followed by the development of semaglutide by a team of researchers at Novo Nordisk, including Jesper Lau, Thomas Kruse, and Paw Bloch.<ref>{{cite web | date = 10 November 2017 | title = Inventor of The Year – IPO Education Foundation | url = https://www.ipoef.org/inventor-of-the-year/ | access-date = 25 August 2025 }}</ref><ref name="pmid26308095"/>

=== Clinical trials and early approvals for diabetes === In June 2008, a phase II clinical trial began studying semaglutide, a once-weekly diabetes therapy as a longer-acting alternative to liraglutide.<ref>{{cite journal | date = August 2019 | title = A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial in Type 2 Diabetes Comparing Semaglutide to Placebo and Liraglutide | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00696657 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Kalra S, Gupta Y | date = July 2015 | title = Once-weekly glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists | journal = JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association | volume = 65 | issue = 7 | pages = 796–798 | pmid = 26160096 | url = https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/7416?article_id=7416 | access-date = 10 April 2022 | archive-date = 30 September 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220930044839/https://jpma.org.pk/article-details/7416?article_id=7416 | url-status = live }}</ref> It was given the brand name Ozempic. Clinical trials started in January 2016 and ended in May 2017.<ref name="Singh-2022" /><ref>{{cite journal | date = October 2019 | title = Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Versus Dulaglutide as add-on to Metformin in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes. (SUSTAIN 7) | journal = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02648204 | access-date = 3 March 2023 | archive-date = 31 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180731093405/https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02648204 | url-status = live }}</ref>

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved semaglutide based on evidence from seven clinical trials of 4087 participants with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> The trials were conducted at 536 sites in 33 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, India, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, multiple European countries, Argentina, and the United States.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> In two of these trials (NCT02054897<ref>{{cite journal | date = May 2019 | title = Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Once-weekly Versus Placebo in Drug-naïve Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 1) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02054897 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> and NCT02305381<ref>{{cite journal | date = May 2019 | title = Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Once-weekly Versus Placebo as add-on to Basal Insulin Alone or Basal Insulin in Combination With Metformin in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 5) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02305381 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref>), participants were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or placebo injection weekly.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> Neither the participant nor the health care provider knew which treatment was being given until after the trials were completed.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> Treatment was given for 30 weeks.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> In the other five trials (NCT01930188,<ref>{{cite journal | date = May 2019 | title = ClinicalTrials.gov | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01930188 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> NCT01885208,<ref>{{cite journal | date = May 2019 | title = Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Once-weekly Versus Sitagliptin Once-daily as add-on to Metformin and/or TZD in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 2) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01885208 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> NCT02128932,<ref>{{cite journal | date = May 2019 | title = Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide Once Weekly Versus Insulin Glargine Once Daily as add-on to Metformin With or Without Sulphonylurea in Insulin-naïve Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 4) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02128932 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> NCT02207374,<ref>{{cite journal | date = June 2018 | title = A Trial Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Semaglutide Once Weekly in Monotherapy or in Combination With One OAD in Japanese Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02207374 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> and NCT02254291<ref>{{cite journal | date = December 2017 | title = A Trial Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Semaglutide Once Weekly Versus Sitagliptin Once Daily in Japanese Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN™) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02254291 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref>), participants were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide or another anti-diabetic medication, and the participant and provider knew which medication was being given in four trials.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> Treatment was given for 30 weeks or 56 weeks.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> In each trial, HbA1c was measured from the start of the trial to the end of the trial and compared between the semaglutide group and the other groups.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" />

The FDA also considered data from one separate trial (NCT01720446<ref>{{cite journal | date = June 2019 | title = Trial to Evaluate Cardiovascular and Other Long-term Outcomes With Semaglutide in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN 6) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01720446 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref>), which was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, of 3297 participants with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes who were at high risk for cardiovascular events.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> This trial was conducted in 20 countries: multiple European countries, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, Israel, Malaysia, Mexico, Thailand, Taiwan, Canada, and the United States.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> The participants were randomly assigned to receive semaglutide or placebo.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> Neither the participant nor the health care provider knew which treatment was being given.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" /> Treatment was given for 104 weeks (2 years), and the occurrence of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, strokes, and hospitalization due to unstable angina (near heart attack) were recorded and compared in the two groups of participants.<ref name="Ozempic FDA snapshot" />

=== Trials for obesity === In March 2021, in a phase III randomized, double-blind trial, 1,961 adults with a body mass index of 30 or greater were assigned in a 2:1 ratio to a treatment with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide or placebo, plus lifestyle intervention. The trials occurred at 129 sites in 16 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America. The mean percentage change in body weight at week 68 was −14.9% in the semaglutide group vs −2.4% with placebo, for an estimated treatment difference of −12.4 percentage points (95% CI, −13.4 to −11.5).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilding JP, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MT, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF | date = March 2021 | title = Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 384 | issue = 11 | pages = 989–1002 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183 | pmid = 33567185 | s2cid = 231883214 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Blum D | date = 22 November 2022 | title = What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Getting So Much Attention? | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/22/well/ozempic-diabetes-weight-loss.html | access-date = 30 March 2023 | archive-date = 29 March 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230329233558/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/22/well/ozempic-diabetes-weight-loss.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Garvey WT, Batterham RL, Bhatta M, Buscemi S, Christensen LN, Frias JP, Jódar E, Kandler K, Rigas G, Wadden TA, Wharton S | date = October 2022 | title = Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial | journal = Nature Medicine | volume = 28 | issue = 10 | pages = 2083–2091 | doi = 10.1038/s41591-022-02026-4 | pmc = 9556320 | pmid = 36216945 }}</ref><ref name="CNN2">{{cite web | vauthors = Dillinger K | date = 29 March 2023 | title = WHO advisers to consider whether obesity medication should be added to Essential Medicines List | website = CNN | url = https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/health/who-essential-medicines-liraglutide/index.html | access-date = 30 March 2023 | archive-date = 30 March 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230330160921/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/29/health/who-essential-medicines-liraglutide/index.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

A 2022 review of anti-obesity treatments found that semaglutide as well as tirzepatide (which has an overlapping mechanism of action) were more promising than previous anti-obesity drugs, although less effective than bariatric surgery.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Müller TD, Blüher M, Tschöp MH, DiMarchi RD | date = March 2022 | title = Anti-obesity drug discovery: advances and challenges | journal = Nature Reviews. Drug Discovery | volume = 21 | issue = 3 | pages = 201–223 | doi = 10.1038/s41573-021-00337-8 | pmc = 8609996 | pmid = 34815532 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi | bibcode = 2022NRvDD..21..201M }}</ref> === Trials for cardiovascular health === In March 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration expanded the indication for semaglutide (brand name Wegovy) to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and who are either obese or overweight.<ref name="FDA 202403082">{{cite press release |title=FDA Approves First Treatment to Reduce Risk of Serious Heart Problems Specifically in Adults with Obesity or Overweight |date=8 March 2024 |url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-reduce-risk-serious-heart-problems-specifically-adults-obesity-or |access-date=12 March 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312043200/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-treatment-reduce-risk-serious-heart-problems-specifically-adults-obesity-or |archive-date=12 March 2024 |website=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> This was based on a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial, which was sponsored by Novo Nordisk, on the efficacy and safety of semaglutide for this indication.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal | vauthors = Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, Deanfield J, Emerson SS, Esbjerg S, Hardt-Lindberg S, Hovingh GK, Kahn SE, Kushner RF, Lingvay I, Oral TK, Michelsen MM, Plutzky J, Tornøe CW, Ryan DH | date = 11 November 2023 | title = Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes | journal = The New England Journal of Medicine | volume = 389 | issue = 24 | pages = 2221–2232 | doi = 10.1056/NEJMoa2307563 | pmid = 37952131 | author17 = SELECT Trial Investigators | hdl = 11370/b73f97da-e52c-44a3-ae19-2d0cfc80ce89 | hdl-access = free }}</ref> 17,604 participant were randomly assigned to receive either semaglutide (Wegovy) or placebo.<ref name="FDA 202403082" /> Participants in both groups also received standard-of-care medical treatment (e.g., management of blood pressure and cholesterol) and healthy lifestyle counseling (including diet and physical activity).<ref name="FDA 202403082" /> The trial reported cumulative occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events, a primary end-point event of the trial, for 569 of the 8803 patients in the semaglutide group, which were 6.5% of the participants, and for 701 of the 8801 patients in the placebo group, which were 8% of the participants, showing relative 18.8% less major adverse cardiovascular events, such as death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke, occurring for participants who had received semaglutide in the trial relative to those who had received placebo over the course of around 48 months, or 34.2±13.7 months, which was the mean (±SD) total duration of the participants in either group's exposure to the placebo or semaglutide during the trial.<ref name=":02" />

==Society and culture== {{further|GLP-1 receptor agonist#Society and culture}}

=== Legal status === In December 2016, a new drug application was filed with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and in October 2017, an FDA advisory committee approved it unanimously.<ref>{{cite news | date = 2017 | title = Development Status and FDA Approval Process for semaglutide | work = Drugs.com | url = https://www.drugs.com/history/semaglutide.html | access-date = 24 October 2017 | archive-date = 24 October 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205830/https://www.drugs.com/history/semaglutide.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In December 2017, the injectable version with the brand name Ozempic was approved in the US for use by people with diabetes,<ref name= "Ozempic FDA approval">{{cite web | date = 16 January 2018 | title = Drug Approval Package: Ozempic (semaglutide) Injection | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2017/209637Orig1s000TOC.cfm | access-date = 26 September 2020 | archive-date = 1 March 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210301022302/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2017/209637Orig1s000TOC.cfm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title= Ozempic (semaglutide) approved in the US |date=5 December 2017 |publisher=Novo Nordisk |url=https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=712 |access-date=5 June 2021 |url-status= live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605223522/https://www.novonordisk.com/content/nncorp/global/en/news-and-media/news-and-ir-materials/news-details.html?id=712 |archive-date=5 June 2021}}</ref> and, in January 2018, in Canada.<ref name="HealthCanada1">{{cite web | date =2018-01-03| title = Regulatory Decision Summary – Ozempic | publisher = Health Canada | url = https://hpr-rps.hres.ca/reg-content/regulatory-decision-summary-detail.php?lang=en&linkID=RDS00317 | access-date = 2 April 2019 | archive-date = 17 May 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190517173304/https://hpr-rps.hres.ca/reg-content/regulatory-decision-summary-detail.php?lang=en&linkID=RDS00317 | url-status = live }}</ref> In February 2018, authorization was granted in the European Union,<ref name="Ozempic EPAR">{{cite web | date = 8 February 2018 | title = Ozempic EPAR | publisher = European Medicines Agency (EMA) | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ozempic | access-date = 26 September 2020 | archive-date = 25 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201025204658/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/ozempic | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Novo Nordisk A/S: Ozempic (semaglutide) approved in the EU for the treatment of type 2 diabetes |date=9 February 2018 |publisher=Novo Nordisk |url=https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/02/09/1338393/0/en/Novo-Nordisk-A-S-Ozempic-semaglutide-approved-in-the-EU-for-the-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html |via= GlobeNewswire |access-date=19 August 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190402075511/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/02/09/1338393/0/en/Novo-Nordisk-A-S-Ozempic-semaglutide-approved-in-the-EU-for-the-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html |archive-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> in March 2018 in Japan,<ref name="NovoNordisk1">{{cite press release |title= Ozempic approved in Japan for the treatment of type 2 diabetes |date=23 March 2018 |publisher=Novo Nordisk |url=https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/23/1449172/0/en/Ozempic-approved-in-Japan-for-the-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html |via=GlobeNewswire |access-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402081052/https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/23/1449172/0/en/Ozempic-approved-in-Japan-for-the-treatment-of-type-2-diabetes.html |archive-date=2 April 2019}}</ref> and in August 2019 in Australia.<ref name="AusPAR: Semaglutide">{{cite web | date = 2 December 2020 | title = AusPAR: Semaglutide | publisher = Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | url = https://www.tga.gov.au/auspar/auspar-semaglutide | access-date = 23 February 2022 | archive-date = 24 February 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220224072457/https://www.tga.gov.au/auspar/auspar-semaglutide | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="TGA Ozempic">{{cite web | title = Summary for ARTG Entry: 315107 Ozempic 1 mg semaglutide (rys) 1.34 mg/mL solution for injection pre-filled pen | publisher = Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) | url = https://tga-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?collection=tga-artg&profile=record&meta_i=315107 | access-date = 6 June 2021 | archive-date = 24 February 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220224072340/https://tga-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?collection=tga-artg&profile=record&meta_i=315107 | url-status = live }}</ref>

A version of semaglutide to treat diabetes that can be taken orally (Rybelsus) was approved for medical use in the US in September 2019,<ref>{{cite web | date = 10 June 2020 | title = Drug Approval Package: Rybelsus | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2019/213051Orig1s000TOC.cfm | access-date = 26 September 2020 | archive-date = 2 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201102161121/https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2019/213051Orig1s000TOC.cfm }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=FDA approves first oral GLP-1 treatment for type 2 diabetes |date=20 September 2019 |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |url=https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-glp-1-treatment-type-2-diabetes |access-date=20 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923102804/https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-oral-glp-1-treatment-type-2-diabetes |archive-date=23 September 2019}}</ref> and in the European Union in April 2020.<ref name="Rybelsus EPAR">{{cite web | date = 29 January 2020 | title = Rybelsus EPAR | publisher = European Medicines Agency (EMA) | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/rybelsus | access-date = 26 September 2020 | archive-date = 14 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200814215223/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/rybelsus | url-status = live }}</ref> In January 2023, the US FDA prescription label for Rybelsus was updated to reflect that it can be used as a first-line treatment for adults with type{{nbsp}}2 diabetes.<ref name= "RybelsusFirstLine2023">{{cite press release |title=Novo Nordisk announces FDA approval of label update for Rybelsus (semaglutide) allowing use as a first-line option for adults with type 2 diabetes |date=12 January 2023 |publisher=Novo Nordisk |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-announces-fda-approval-of-label-update-for-rybelsus-semaglutide-allowing-use-as-a-first-line-option-for-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-301720965.html |via=PR Newswire |access-date=16 January 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116044101/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-announces-fda-approval-of-label-update-for-rybelsus-semaglutide-allowing-use-as-a-first-line-option-for-adults-with-type-2-diabetes-301720965.html |archive-date=16 January 2023}}</ref>

In June 2021, a higher-dose version for injectable use, sold under the brand name Wegovy, was approved by the FDA as an anti-obesity medication for long-term weight management in adults.<ref name="Wegovy FDA label" /> In January 2022, Wegovy was approved for medical use in the European Union.<ref name="Wegovy EPAR">{{cite web | date = 6 January 2022 | title = Wegovy EPAR | publisher = European Medicines Agency (EMA) | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/wegovy | access-date = 11 March 2022 | archive-date = 2 July 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220702222728/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/wegovy | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Wegovy PI">{{cite web | title = Wegovy Product information | publisher = Union Register of medicinal products | url = https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/h1608.htm | access-date = 3 March 2023 | archive-date = 30 October 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20221030000246/https://ec.europa.eu/health/documents/community-register/html/h1608.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>

In December 2025, an oral version of semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, was approved in the US for weight management.<ref>{{cite web | title = Wegovy approval letter | website = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/appletter/2025/218316Orig1s000ltr.pdf }}</ref>

In March 2026, pursuant to a conditional marketing authorization, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency approved Novo Nordisk's Kayshild semaglutide to treat adults with non-cirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).<ref name="Kayshild EPAR">{{citation|title=Kayshild EPAR|date=2026-04-09|website=European Medicines Agency (EMA) |url =https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/kayshild|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260522193415/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/kayshild|archive-date=2026-05-22}}</ref>

In May 2026, the CHMP adopted a positive opinion, recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorization for the medicinal product Wegovy. The marketing authorization holder for this medicinal product is Novo Nordisk A/S. The CHMP adopted a new pharmaceutical form associated with a new route of administration, tablets for oral use, in four new strengths (1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg).<ref>{{cite web | title=Wegovy - opinion on variation to marketing authorization | website=European Medicines Agency (EMA) | date=22 May 2026 | url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/variation/wegovy | access-date=30 May 2026}} Text was copied from this source which is copyright European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged.</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=First oral GLP-1 treatment for weight management | website=European Medicines Agency (EMA) | date=22 May 2026 | url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/first-oral-glp-1-treatment-weight-management | access-date=30 May 2026}}</ref>

===Generics and copies=== Generic semaglutide can be legally offered following regulatory approvals in India, Canada and Brazil.<ref name="GlobeAndMail3">{{citation|author1-last=Hannay|author1-first=Chris|author2-last=Grant|author2-first=Kelly|title=Health Canada approves first generic Ozempic, made by India's Dr. Reddy's|date=2026-04-28|website=The Globe and Mail website|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-generic-ozempic-glp1-approved-health-canada/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260429054219/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-generic-ozempic-glp1-approved-health-canada/|archive-date=2026-04-29}}</ref><ref name="Reuters10">{{citation|author1-last=Teles|author1-first=Isabel|author2-last=Araujo|author2-first=Gabriel|title=Brazil approves first generic semaglutide pen after Ozempic patent expiry|date=2026-05-26|website=Reuters website|url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/brazil-approves-first-generic-semaglutide-pen-after-ozempic-patent-expiry-2026-05-26/}}</ref>

====Brazil==== In Brazil, the supreme court refused to extend semaglutide's patent protection, which expired in March 2026.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Masters W | date = 9 May 2023 | title = Brazilian federal court denies semaglutide patent extension | work = Pharmaceutical Technology | url = https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/pricing-and-market-access/brazilian-federal-court-semaglutide-patent-extension/?cf-view | access-date = 1 December 2023 | archive-date = 6 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240106215444/https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/pricing-and-market-access/brazilian-federal-court-semaglutide-patent-extension/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Reuters2">{{cite web | date = 21 March 2025 | title = Brazil's Hypera to launch an Ozempic generic in 2026, CEO says | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/brazils-hypera-launch-an-ozempic-generic-2026-ceo-says-2025-03-21/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Alerigi | author1-first = Alberto Jr. | author2-last = Araujo | author2-first = Gabriel }}</ref> The first generic semaglutide injection approved by the regulator Anvisa was EMS's '''Ozivy''' on May 26, 2026.<ref name="Reuters10" /> {{As of|May 2026|alt=As of that date}}, there were 5 other synthetic semaglutide products and 1 biological one being reviewed by Anvisa.<ref name="Reuters10" /> Hypera plans to offer its own generic semaglutide in the Brazilian market in 2026,<ref name="Reuters10" /> and Biomm announced an agreement to offer Biocon's generic.<ref name="Reuters2" />

====Canada==== Semaglutide's pharmaceutical data exclusivity period expired in Canada in January 2026.<ref name="RadioCanada1">{{cite web | date = 8 January 2026  | title = {{lang|fr|Expiration de la protection des données d'Ozempic: la guerre des prix est lancée|nocat=yes}} | website = Radio-Canada website | url = https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2218748/expiration-ozempic-wegovy-semaglutide-generique | access-date = 6 February 2026 | archive-date = 6 February 2026 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20260206195605/https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2218748/expiration-ozempic-wegovy-semaglutide-generique | author1-last = Adams | author1-first = Isaac | lang = fr }}</ref><ref name="GlobeAndMail1">{{cite web | date = 5 January 2026 | title = Novo Nordisk prepares new cheaper version of Ozempic as generics face delays | website = The Globe and Mail | url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ozempic-cheaper-version-novo-nordisk-health-canada-generics/ | access-date = 6 January 2026 | author1-last = Grant | author1-first = Kelly | author2-last = Hannay | author2-first = Chris }}</ref> Novo Nordisk failed to pay a required patent maintenance fee, and their patent on the chemical structure of the drug expired in 2020.<ref name="RadioCanada1" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="Labiotech1">{{cite web | date = 16 June 2025 | title = Did Novo open the Canadian market to GLP-1 generics? | website = Labiotech | url = https://www.labiotech.eu/in-depth/novo-nordisk-semaglutide-patent-expiration-canada/ | access-date = 7 November 2025 | archive-date = 18 June 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250618161956/https://www.labiotech.eu/in-depth/novo-nordisk-semaglutide-patent-expiration-canada/ | author1-last = Adam | author1-first = Jules }}</ref> On April 28, 2026, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories received approval to sell generic semaglutide in injectable format in Canada, having applied for permission in February 2024.<ref name="GlobeAndMail3" /> Later that week, Apotex's generic semaglutide ('''Apo-Semaglutide''') was also approved as an injectable drug.<ref name="GlobeAndMail4">{{citation|author1-last=Hannay|author1-first=Chris|author2-last=Grant|author2-first=Kelly|title=Health Canada approves generic Ozempic from Apotex, country's largest drug maker|date=2026-05-01|website=The Globe and Mail website|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-health-canada-apotex-generic-ozempic-approval/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260501204946/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-health-canada-apotex-generic-ozempic-approval/|archive-date=2026-05-01}}</ref><ref name="CanadianPress1">{{citation|author1-last=Ireland|author1-first=Nicole|title=Health Canada approves 2nd generic version of Ozempic — and it's Canadian|website=The Canadian Press website|url=https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/health-canada-approves-2nd-generic-version-of-ozempic-and-its-canadian/article_9d2e7c7b-0808-52aa-b71f-d5473a5491d6.html|date=2026-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515200316/https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/health-canada-approves-2nd-generic-version-of-ozempic-and-its-canadian/article_9d2e7c7b-0808-52aa-b71f-d5473a5491d6.html|archive-date=2026-05-15}}</ref>

The pricing formula is based on the number of generic versions of a drug on the market, as agreed to by suppliers and a purchasers' consortium called the Pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance.<ref name="GlobeAndMail4" /> When 2 generics are available, their prices are set at 50% of the brand name price—and the May 2026 list price of brand-name Ozempic is $228 for 4 weeks' supply, plus retail markup.<ref name="GlobeAndMail4" />

Several other applications to sell generic versions have been made, but not yet approved, including by Aspen Pharmacare, Sandoz, Taro Pharmaceuticals and Teva Pharmaceuticals.<ref name="GlobeAndMail1" /><ref name="GlobeAndMail2">{{cite web | date = 11 March 2025 | title = Cheaper, generic versions of Ozempic could come to Canada as early as next year | website = The Globe and Mail | url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-ozempic-generic-brands-canada-type-2-diabetes/ }}</ref> Hims & Hers Health expects to partner with an approved manufacturer to market a generic version.<ref name="CNBC1">{{cite web | date = 9 July 2025 | title = Hims & Hers to offer generic semaglutide in Canada as Novo Nordisk patent lapses | website = CNBC | url = https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/09/hims-hers-generic-semaglutide-novo-nordisk-ozempic-wegovy-canada.html | archive-date = 9 July 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250709133345/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/09/hims-hers-generic-semaglutide-novo-nordisk-ozempic-wegovy-canada.html }}</ref> Sandoz' 2026 offering would be for diabetes only,<ref name="Reuters6">{{cite web | date = 12 November 2025 | title = Sandoz sees unbranded versions of Ozempic launching in Canada by end-June 2026 | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/sandoz-ceo-expects-ozempic-biosimilars-enter-canadian-market-q1-q2-2025-11-12/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Satija | author1-first = Bhanvi | author2-last = Fick | author2-first = Maggie }}</ref> while Biocon hopes to offer generic semaglutide for diabetes and weight loss by 2027.<ref name="Reuters1">{{cite web | date = 16 July 2025 | title = Biocon eyes generic Wegovy obesity drug launch in India, Canada in next 2 years, CEO says | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biocon-eyes-generic-wegovy-obesity-drug-launch-india-canada-next-2-years-ceo-2025-07-16/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Sadam | author1-first = Rishika }}</ref>

Novo Nordisk is considering competing against the new generic drugs with '''Plosbrio''' and '''Poviztra''': additional brand names for semaglutide, but marketed at a lower price than Ozempic and Wegovy.<ref name="GlobeAndMail1" /> In contrast to generics, which may be chemically synthesized versions manufactured using different processes than the original biologic drug, Health Canada confirmed that Plosbrio and Poviztra differ from the existing proprietary drugs Ozempic and Wegovy only in name and packaging, and are unrelated to the generics from a regulatory perspective.<ref name="GlobeAndMail1" />

====India==== Following the expiration of the semaglutide patent in India in March 2026, several domestic pharmaceutical companies launched generic versions of the drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.<ref name="C+D1">{{citation|author1-last=Cooke|author1-first=Alex|title=Semaglutide seven: Indian drug companies launch cheaper GLP-1s|url=https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/business/semaglutide-seven-indian-drug-companies-launch-cheaper-glp-1s-ZL57UMXBWJGW7A5XUT2MSQCCIY/|date=2026-03-23|website=Chemist + Druggist website|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515181848/https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/business/semaglutide-seven-indian-drug-companies-launch-cheaper-glp-1s-ZL57UMXBWJGW7A5XUT2MSQCCIY/|archive-date=2026-05-15}}</ref> These included Sun Pharmaceutical Industries ('''Sematrinity''' and '''Noveltreat'''), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories ('''Obeda'''), Zydus Lifesciences ('''Alterme''', '''Mashema''' and '''Semaglyn'''), Torrent Pharmaceuticals ('''Sembolic''' and '''Semalix'''), Alkem Laboratories ('''Semasize''', '''Obesema''' and '''Hepaglide'''), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals ('''Glipiq''') and Eris Lifesciences ('''Sundae''').<ref name="C+D1" /> Others, including Natco Pharma ('''Semanat''' and '''Semafull''')<ref name="EconomicTimes1">{{citation|title=NATCO, Eris to launch semaglutide generic at 90% discount in India|website=ETPharma.com|publisher=The Economic Times|url=https://pharma.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/drug-approvals-and-launches/natco-to-launch-semaglutide-generic-at-90-discount-in-india/129694674|date=2026-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260515183010/https://pharma.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/drug-approvals-and-launches/natco-to-launch-semaglutide-generic-at-90-discount-in-india/129694674|archive-date=2026-05-15}}</ref> and Mankind Pharma<ref name="EconomicTimes2">{{citation|author1-last=Thacker|author1-first=Teena|title=Mankind Pharma targets early Semaglutide launch|website=The Economic Times website|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/mankind-pharma-targets-early-semaglutide-launch/articleshow/129594341.cms|date=2026-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260315183817/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/mankind-pharma-targets-early-semaglutide-launch/articleshow/129594341.cms|archive-date=2026-03-15}}</ref> also planned product launches around the same time, and in total, 40–50 total brands of semaglutide were expected to become available in India in the following months.<ref name="C+D1" />

Monthly therapy costs for generic semaglutide ranged from approximately ₹2,200 to ₹4,200, while some weekly therapies were priced between ₹750 and ₹2,000.{{citation needed|date=May 2026}}

====China==== The Chinese patent was scheduled to expire in 2026, but a court ruled in 2022 that all patents on semaglutide were invalid "for reasons related to experimental data availability".<ref name="Reuters7">{{cite web | date = 5 June 2024 | title = Novo Nordisk braces for generic challenge to Ozempic, Wegovy in China | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-braces-generic-challenge-ozempic-wegovy-china-2024-06-05/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Silver | author1-first = Andrew | author2-last = Gronholt-Pedersen | author2-first = Jacob | author3-last = Fick | author3-first = Maggie }}</ref> Novo Nordisk appealed the ruling and the decision was overturned by the Supreme People's Court.<ref>{{cite news | date = 5 January 2026 | title = Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly Slash Prices in China | work = The Chosun Daily | url = https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-en/2026/01/05/MP67GCTEKZDTJNZSYRWMIIKC2M/ | access-date = 3 February 2026 }}</ref> According to Novo Nordisk, under the China–Switzerland Free Trade Agreement, semaglutide is subject to regulatory data protection in China until April 2027, and their Swiss subsidiary holds those rights exclusively.<ref name="Swissinfo1">{{citation|title=Novo Sees Generic Ozempic Delayed in China Until Next Year|date=2026-05-06 |website=SWI swissinfo|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/novo-sees-generic-ozempic-delayed-in-china-until-next-year/91373533|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260529211437/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/novo-sees-generic-ozempic-delayed-in-china-until-next-year/91373533|archive-date=2026-05-29}}</ref>

Government records indicate that at least 15 generic versions of semaglutide are being developed for the Chinese market, both for diabetes and weight loss; 11 were in the final stages of clinical trials {{as of|June 2024|lc=on}}.<ref name="Reuters7" /> Among others, Hangzhou Jiuyuan Gene Engineering, The United Laboratories, CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Huadong Medicine (which also holds a majority stake in Jiuyuan Gene<ref name="Reuters8">{{cite web | date = 3 April 2024 | title = Drugmaker seeks approval for China's first biosimilar Ozempic | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/chinas-first-biosimilar-ozempic-drug-applies-approval-2024-04-03/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Silver | author1-first = Andrew | author2-last = Burger | author2-first = Ludwig | author3-last = Gronholt-Pedersen | author3-first = Jacob }}</ref>) and Sihuan Pharmaceutical were all preparing generic offerings.<ref name="Reuters7" />

====United States==== In 2026, Apotex received a tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to produce generic semaglutide.<ref name="GlobeAndMail5">{{citation|author1-last=Hannay|author1-first=Chris|title=Apotex wins tentative FDA approval for generic Ozempic, drug makers await Health Canada decisions|date=2026-04-12|website=The Globe and Mail website|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260501210754/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/economy/article-apotex-fda-approval-generic-ozempic-drug-health-canada-decisions/|archive-date=2026-05-01}}</ref> The tentative approval means that a scientific assessment of the generic drug was completed successfully, and that contracts and supply chains can be established, but that selling the drug would depend on intellectual property constraints.<ref name="GlobeAndMail5" /> Semaglutide is expected to become patent-free in the United States no earlier than December 2031.<ref name="Drug Patent Watch">{{cite web | title = OZEMPIC Drug Patent Profile | website = Drug Patent Watch | url = https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/OZEMPIC | access-date = 23 March 2024 | archive-date = 23 March 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240323101951/https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/OZEMPIC | url-status = live }}</ref>

====Other==== Drug patents on semaglutide in Europe and Japan are expected to expire in 2031.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | vauthors = Ma J | date = 17 June 2025 | title = Novo Nordisk is losing Canadian patent protection on a blockbuster drug after not paying a small fee | website = Fortune | url = https://fortune.com/2025/06/17/novo-nordisk-ozempic-wegovy-semaglutide-canada-patent-protection-fee/ | access-date = 4 October 2025 }}</ref>

Dr. Reddy's has made regulatory applications in 87 countries where it plans to offer generic semaglutide in 2026 or 2027.<ref name="Reuters4">{{cite web | date = 23 July 2025 | title = India's Dr Reddy's plans to launch generic obesity drugs in 87 countries next year, CEO says | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/indias-dr-reddys-plans-launch-generic-obesity-drugs-87-countries-next-year-ceo-2025-07-23/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Sadam | author1-first = Rishika }}</ref><ref name="CNN3">{{cite web | date = 7 February 2026 | title = Is India about to make Ozempic-like weight-loss drugs a whole lot cheaper? | website = CNN | url = https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/07/india/india-semaglutide-patent-expiry-intl-hnk-dst | access-date = 10 February 2026 | archive-date = 8 February 2026 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20260208012236/https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/07/india/india-semaglutide-patent-expiry-intl-hnk-dst | author1-last = Shah | author2-last = Ayushi }}</ref> Biocon plans to offer generic semaglutide in Mexico and Saudi Arabia.<ref name="Reuters3">{{cite web | date = 18 April 2024 | title = India's Biocon developing its own version of Wegovy, clinical trial likely next year | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/indias-biocon-developing-its-own-version-wegovy-clinical-trial-likely-next-year-2024-04-18/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 | author1-last = Sadam | author1-first = Rishika }}</ref>

===Compounded versions=== In the US, compounding pharmacies may prepare compounded versions of a drug on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) drug shortages list if the compounded drug meets certain conditions detailed in federal law.<ref>{{cite web | date = 1 October 2024 | title = Compounding when Drugs are on FDA's Drug Shortages List | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-when-drugs-are-fdas-drug-shortages-list | access-date = 3 January 2025 | archive-date = 28 September 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240928064218/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-when-drugs-are-fdas-drug-shortages-list }} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 1 October 2024 | title = Compounding and the FDA: Q & A | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers | access-date = 3 January 2025 }} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Lupkin S | date = 30 May 2024 | title = Compounding pharmacies are making their own versions of blockbuster weight loss drugs | publisher = NPR | url = https://www.npr.org/2024/05/30/nx-s1-4973307/compounding-pharmacies-are-making-their-own-versions-of-blockbuster-weight-loss-drugs | access-date = 3 January 2025 }}</ref> The FDA declared a shortage for Ozempic and Wegovy (but not Rybelsus) starting in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web | title = Drug Shortages: Semaglutide Injection | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://dps.fda.gov/drugshortages/activeingredient/semaglutide-injection | access-date = 3 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author = Alyssa Billingsley | date = 26 November 2024 | title = Is Semaglutide in Shortage? The Latest on Ozempic and Wegovy Availability | publisher = GoodRx | url = https://www.goodrx.com/classes/glp-1-agonists/semaglutide-shortage }}</ref>

{{As of|January 2026}}, there were up to {{nowrap|1.5 million}} users of compounded GLP-1 drugs (including semaglutide) in the United States, according to Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar.<ref name="Reuters9">{{cite web | vauthors = Fick M, Roy M | date = 13 January 2026 | title = Novo Nordisk CEO flags 1.5 million US users of compounded GLP-1 drugs | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-ceo-flags-15-million-us-users-compounded-glp-1-drugs-2026-01-12/ | access-date = 21 January 2026 }}</ref>

Some compounded versions contain salts of semaglutide, including the sodium and the acetate.<ref>{{cite web | date = 1 October 2024 | title = FDA's Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs Used for Weight Loss | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss | access-date = 3 January 2025 | archive-date = 3 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241003180506/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss }}</ref> The FDA cautioned that formulations containing semaglutide sodium or semaglutide acetate had not yet been shown to be safe and effective, and stated that moreover, the FDA does not evaluate compounded drugs for safety and effectiveness.<ref name="USFDA1">{{cite web | date = 21 December 2023 | title = Medications Containing Semaglutide Marketed for Type 2 Diabetes or Weight Loss | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss | access-date = 29 December 2023 | archive-date = 29 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231229201803/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/medications-containing-semaglutide-marketed-type-2-diabetes-or-weight-loss }}</ref>

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, a trade organization for pharmacy regulators, claims that there are tens of thousands of online pharmacies operating illegally or outside of the association's recommendations.<ref name="NPR1">{{cite web | date = 7 June 2024 | title = Thinking of buying Wegovy online? Here's what to know about compounding pharmacies | publisher = National Public Radio website | url = https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/07/g-s1-3331/wegovy-online-compound-semaglutide-compounding-pharmacies | archive-date = 7 June 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240607111629/https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/07/g-s1-3331/wegovy-online-compound-semaglutide-compounding-pharmacies | author1-last = Lupkin | author2-last = Sydney }}</ref> Novo Nordisk has taken legal action against several businesses that it alleges are selling unfit semaglutide products.<ref name="NPR1" />

===Counterfeits=== In October 2023, there were reports of counterfeit Ozempic pens being sold in Europe.<ref name="EMA2">{{cite press release |title= EMA alerts EU patients and healthcare professionals to reports of falsified Ozempic pens |date=18 October 2023 |url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-alerts-eu-patients-and-healthcare-professionals-reports-falsified-ozempic-pens |access-date=6 January 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104102518/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/ema-alerts-eu-patients-and-healthcare-professionals-reports-falsified-ozempic-pens |archive-date=4 January 2024 |publisher=European Medicines Agency (EMA) }}</ref> The pens possibly contained insulin, and led to several people being hospitalised with hypoglycemia and seizures.<ref>{{cite web | date = 23 November 2023 | title = Ozempic (semaglutide) and Saxenda (liraglutide): vigilance required due to potentially harmful falsified products | publisher = Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) | url = https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/ozempicv-semaglutide-and-saxenda-liraglutide-vigilance-required-due-to-potentially-harmful-falsified-products | access-date = 6 January 2024 | archive-date = 26 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231226114314/http://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/ozempicv-semaglutide-and-saxenda-liraglutide-vigilance-required-due-to-potentially-harmful-falsified-products | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date = 18 October 2023 | title = European regulator warns EU, UK about fake Ozempic pens | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-medicines-regulator-warns-eu-uk-fake-ozempic-pens-2023-10-18/ | access-date = 24 October 2023 | archive-date = 24 October 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231024111149/https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eu-medicines-regulator-warns-eu-uk-fake-ozempic-pens-2023-10-18/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date = 24 October 2023 | title = Several hospitalised in Austria after using suspected fake diabetes drug | work = The Guardian | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/several-hospitalised-in-austria-after-using-suspected-fake-diabetes-drug | access-date = 24 October 2023 | archive-date = 24 October 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231024153414/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/24/several-hospitalised-in-austria-after-using-suspected-fake-diabetes-drug | agency = Reuters | url-status = live }}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Although an insulin icodec/semaglutide combination drug named Kyinsu was authorized in Europe in 2025,<ref name="EMA1">{{cite web | date = 2026-02-12 | title = Kyinsu | website = European Medicines Agency website | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/kyinsu | access-date = 2026-02-14 | archive-date = 2026-02-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20260215071757/https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/EPAR/kyinsu }}</ref> this incident was not linked to that product.|group="Note"}}

In December 2023, the US FDA issued a warning about counterfeit Ozempic.<ref>{{cite web | date = 21 December 2023 | title = FDA warns consumers not to use counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) found in U.S. drug supply chain | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-use-counterfeit-ozempic-semaglutide-found-us-drug-supply-chain | access-date = 22 December 2023 | archive-date = 22 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231222061933/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-use-counterfeit-ozempic-semaglutide-found-us-drug-supply-chain }}</ref>

===Economics=== Semaglutide had the highest earnings from sales of medications in the US in 2023, with expenditures of {{US$|38.6 billion}}.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Tichy EM, Hoffman JM, Tadrous M, Rim MH, Cuellar S, Clark JS, Newell MK, Schumock GT | date = July 2024 | title = National trends in prescription drug expenditures and projections for 2024 | journal = American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy | volume = 81 | issue = 14 | pages = 583–598 | doi = 10.1093/ajhp/zxae105 | pmid = 38656319 }}</ref>

====Cost, coverage and supply==== In 2023, Ozempic, the semaglutide injection used for type 2 diabetes treatment, had list price of one-month supply of $936 in the US, $169 in Japan, $147 in Canada, $144 in Switzerland, $103 in Germany and the Netherlands, $96 in Sweden, $93 in the UK, and $87 in Australia; France had the lowest price at $83. By 2026, telehealth program prices for semaglutide in the United States showed substantial state-level variation, with a directory analysis of 797 telehealth clinics across 21 U.S. states reporting a median monthly low price of approximately $499.<ref>{{cite web |title=GLP-1 Pricing Across U.S. States, 2026 |url=https://www.glp1clinics.org/research/glp1-pricing-by-state-2026 |publisher=GLP1 Clinics |year=2026|access-date=29 April 2026}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | date = 21 August 2023 | title = U.S. Leads the world in list prices for diabetes, antiobesity meds | website = Medical Economics | url = https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/u-s-leads-the-world-in-list-prices-for-diabetes-antiobesity-meds | access-date = 20 January 2024 | archive-date = 20 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120024751/https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/u-s-leads-the-world-in-list-prices-for-diabetes-antiobesity-meds | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Charted: The cost of weight-loss drugs in the US vs. Other countries | website = Advisory Board | url = https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2023/08/21/weight-loss-drug-cost | access-date = 8 April 2024 | archive-date = 20 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240120050405/https://www.advisory.com/daily-briefing/2023/08/21/weight-loss-drug-cost | url-status = live }}</ref>

High demand caused worldwide supply shortages of semaglutide in 2023;<ref name="Gilbert">{{cite web | vauthors = Gilbert D | date = 12 June 2023 | title = Insurers clamping down on doctors who prescribe Ozempic for weight loss | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/11/weight-loss-ozempic-wegovy-insurance/ | newspaper = The Washington Post }}</ref> new UK prescriptions were not issued during the shortage. Novo Nordisk revealed in April 2024, that to meet the enormous demand for semaglutide, it was running its production facilities 24/7; it had budgeted $6 billion in 2024 to expand its crowded and congested facilities; and it had hired over 10,000 new employees in 2023 alone.<ref name="Nelson">{{cite news | vauthors = Nelson E | date = 20 April 2024 | title = It Introduced Ozempic to the World. Now It Must Remake Itself. | work = The New York Times | article-number = B1 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/20/business/ozempic-novo-nordisk-wegovy.html | url-access = subscription }}</ref>

=====Australia===== In Australia, semaglutide is available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme prescription for diabetes at the regular co-payment rates of $25.00, or $7.70 for concession card holders.<ref>{{cite web | title = Semaglutide | publisher = Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) | url = https://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/12075m-12080t | access-date = 2 June 2025 }}</ref> By contrast, in the United States, due to high costs, some health plans do not cover weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide.<ref>{{cite web | date = 9 October 2024 | title = 2024 Employer Health Benefits Survey | website = Kaiser Family Foundation | url = https://www.kff.org/report-section/ehbs-2024-summary-of-findings/ | access-date = 1 January 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Claxton G, Rae M, Damico A, Winger A, Wager E | date = November 2024 | title = Health Benefits In 2024: Higher Premiums Persist, Employer Strategies For GLP-1 Coverage And Family-Building Benefits | journal = Health Affairs | volume = 43 | issue = 11 | pages = 1491–1501 | doi = 10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01006 | pmid = 39381848 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Robbins R | date = 26 January 2024 | title = Buried in Wegovy Costs, North Carolina Will Stop Paying for Obesity Drugs | website = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/business/obesity-drugs-insurance-north-carolina.html | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref> {{as of|2024}}, about half of plans sponsored by private-sector employers cover these drugs,<ref name="NYTimes1">{{cite web | vauthors = Sanger-Katz M | date = 30 August 2024 | title = The State That Chose to Cover Obesity Drugs for Its Poor, but Not Its Own Employees | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/upshot/wegovy-obesity-drugs-north-carolina.html | archive-date = 30 August 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240830100139/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/upshot/wegovy-obesity-drugs-north-carolina.html }}</ref> federal Medicare Part D does not cover weight-loss drugs, and only a few federally-funded, state-administered Medicaid plans cover drugs for obesity.<ref name="NYTimes2">{{cite web | vauthors = Sanger-Katz M | date = 26 November 2024 | title = Obesity Drugs Would Be Covered by Medicare and Medicaid Under Biden Proposal | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/26/upshot/obesity-drugs-medicare-medicaid.html | archive-date = 29 November 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241129103959/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/26/upshot/obesity-drugs-medicare-medicaid.html }}</ref>

=====United Kingdom===== In the UK, semaglutide is available on NHS prescription for diabetes at nominal or no cost to the individual.<ref>{{cite news | date = 8 March 2023 | title = NICE recommended weight-loss drug to be made available in specialist NHS services | publisher = National Institute for Health and Care Excellence | url = https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-recommended-weight-loss-drug-to-be-made-available-in-specialist-nhs-services | archive-date = 9 March 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230309113155/https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-recommended-weight-loss-drug-to-be-made-available-in-specialist-nhs-services | url-status = live }}</ref> It is also available for obesity, limited to treatment for two years.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Marcus R | date = 6 June 2023 | title = I lost 40 pounds on Ozempic. But I'm left with even more questions | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/06/ozempic-weight-loss-ruth-marcus/ | archive-date = 7 June 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230607022758/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/06/ozempic-weight-loss-ruth-marcus/ | url-status = live | newspaper = The Washington Post }}</ref> In Finland, semaglutide is included in the national price regulation scheme and is available by prescription. For people with type 2 diabetes and a BMI over 27, part of the cost is covered by Kela, the Finnish social insurance institution.<ref name="YLE1">{{cite web | date = 8 October 2024 | title = Finns' appetite for weightloss drugs grows | website = YLE | url = https://yle.fi/a/74-20116566 | access-date = 14 June 2025 | archive-date = 8 October 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241008102420/https://yle.fi/a/74-20116566 }}</ref>

=====United States===== In the US, Wegovy has a list price of $1,349.02 per month as of 2022, suggesting that because of the high costs many people "who could most benefit from weight loss may be unable to afford such expensive drugs".<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Kolata G | date = 28 April 2022 | title = Patients Taking Experimental Obesity Drug Lost More Than 50 Pounds, Maker Claims | work = The New York Times | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/health/obesity-drug-eli-lilly-tirzepatide-wegovy.html | access-date = 13 May 2022 | archive-date = 27 June 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220627163838/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/health/obesity-drug-eli-lilly-tirzepatide-wegovy.html | url-access = subscription | url-status = live }}</ref> High costs of Ozempic prompted some insurance companies to investigate and refuse to cover individuals with what the companies considered was insufficient evidence to support a diabetes diagnosis, alleging off-label prescribing for weight loss.<ref name= "Gilbert" />

On April 4, 2025, the Trump Administration declined to finalize a proposal from the Biden Administration that would have required Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP to broadly cover GLP-1s for weight loss. Despite the rejection, CMS has indicated that it might cover obesity medication in future rulemaking. However, in November 2025, the Trump Administration announced TrumpRx, an initiative similar to GoodRx, to lower the price of GLP-1s to $245 per month for patients covered by Medicaid and CHIP and $50 month for Medicare patients if states opted in.<ref name="Bloomb1">{{cite news | title = Think 2025 Was a Big Year for Health News? Fasten Your Seat Belts | work = Bloomberg | url = https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2026-01-01/health-metrics-shaping-2026-fda-approvals-measles-trends-insurance-premiums?embedded-checkout=true | access-date = March 7, 2026 }}</ref>

In November 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced a deal with NovoNordisk to lower the costs of Ozempic, including monthly prices of about $245 for injectables and $149 for some oral versions for people on Medicare and Medicaid and for those who use his TrumpRx platform.<ref>{{cite news |title=Trump administration in talks with Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly on GLP-1 drug pricing |url=https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5593083-trump-administration-glp-1-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly/ |work=The Hill |access-date=2026-05-01}}</ref>

Novo Nordisk announced in February 2026, that effective January 2027 the list price of Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus would drop to $675/month.<ref>{{cite press release | title=Novo Nordisk announces significant reduction in US list price for Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® (Semaglutide medicines), building on continued efforts to expand access | url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-announces-significant-reduction-in-us-list-price-for-wegovy-ozempic-and-rybelsus-semaglutide-medicines-building-on-continued-efforts-to-expand-access-302695705.html }}</ref>

Coverage for patients with obesity and at least one comorbidity like (elevated LDL-cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or MASLD), will be implemented as early as April 1, 2026. The cost will be significantly higher to taxpayers due to the fact that most insurance companies do not cover it in their formulary. Prior to this change, most Medicaid and CHIP patients only paid $3 a month, the same price for brand-name medication.<ref name="Bloomb1"/>

In May 2026, Amazon announced same‑day prescription delivery for Ozempic in about 3,000 U.S. cities and towns, expanding toward 4,500 locations by year‑end. <ref>{{cite news |title=Amazon to carry Ozempic at US kiosks, offer same-day delivery |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/amazon-carry-ozempic-us-kiosks-offer-same-day-delivery-2026-05-07/ |work=Reuters |date=2026-05-07 |access-date=2026-05-07}}</ref>

====Economic impact on Denmark==== By 2023, Novo Nordisk was the most valuable corporation in the European Union, worth more than {{US$|500 billion}}, and accounted for almost all economic growth in Denmark.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Verrender I | date = 19 December 2023 | title = How Ozempic could affect the health of the global economy in more ways than one | website = ABC News | url = https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-19/ozempic-obesity-diabetes-health-challenges-impact-global-economy/103244056 | access-date = 18 December 2023 | archive-date = 18 December 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20231218223436/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-19/ozempic-obesity-diabetes-health-challenges-impact-global-economy/103244056 | url-status = live }}</ref> The large amounts of foreign currency earned by Novo Nordisk from Wegovy and Ozempic sales, when converted to Danish krone, have exerted upward pressure on the value of the krone, making it necessary for Danmarks Nationalbank to maintain lower interest rates than the European Central Bank.<ref name= "Surowiecki_2023">{{cite news | vauthors = Surowiecki J | date = 16 October 2023 | title = Something Is Golden in the State of Denmark | work = The Atlantic | url = https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/10/novo-nordisk-ozempic-wegovy-denmark/675638/ }}</ref><ref name= "Wasse_2025">{{cite news | vauthors = Wasse S, Wienberg C | date = 3 August 2025 | title = Denmark's economy runs on Novo. Will the drugmaker's troubles slim it down? | website = Yahoo | url = https://finance.yahoo.com/news/denmark-economy-runs-novo-drugmaker-070026676.html | access-date = 16 August 2025 }}</ref> Poor clinical trial results published by Novo Nordisk in December 2024 contributed to a drop in the krone's value.<ref name= "GronholtPedersen_2024">{{cite news | vauthors = Gronholt-Pedersen J | date = 20 December 2024 | title = Novo Nordisk's drug trial results weaken Danish currency | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/novo-nordisks-drug-trial-results-weaken-danish-currency-2024-12-20/ | access-date = 16 August 2025 }}</ref>

Profits from Novo Nordisk result in increased Danish tax revenues and employment.<ref name="Reuters 20231005" /> Novo Nordisk added 3,500 jobs in Denmark in 2022, bringing the total in the country to 21,000 employees, out of 59,000 worldwide.<ref name="Reuters 20231005">{{cite web | vauthors = Fick M, Fick M | date = 5 October 2023 | title = Novo Nordisk's Wegovy bonanza looms large in Denmark | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisks-wegovy-bonanza-looms-large-denmark-2023-10-05/ | access-date = 5 April 2024 }}</ref>

As of February 2026, Novo Nordisk has a market capitalization of $220.42 billion.<ref>{{cite web | date = 14 February 2026 | title = Novo Nordisk (NVO) | website = CompaniesMarketcap | url = https://companiesmarketcap.com/novo-nordisk/marketcap/ | access-date = 15 February 2026 }}</ref>

== Research == A 2014 meta-analysis found that semaglutide may be effective in lowering liver enzymes (transaminitis) and improving certain radiologically observed features of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Dutta D, Kumar M, Shivaprasad KS, Kumar A, Sharma M | date = June 2022 | title = Impact of semaglutide on biochemical and radiologic measures of metabolic-dysfunction associated fatty liver disease across the spectrum of glycaemia: A meta-analysis | journal = Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome | volume = 16 | issue = 6 | article-number = 102539 | doi = 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102539 | pmid = 35709586 | s2cid = 249584781 }}</ref> The French national health care insurance system database had previously suggested that one to three years of use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists like exenatide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide may be linked with increased occurrence of thyroid cancer. Semaglutide belongs to the same family of medicine. A meta-analysis involving data from 37 randomized controlled trials and 19 real-world studies (46,719 individuals) showed that semaglutide use over 18 months was not associated with increased risk of any cancer, supported by high-quality evidence.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Nagendra L, Bg H, Sharma M, Dutta D | date = September 2023 | title = Semaglutide and cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis | journal = Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome | volume = 17 | issue = 9 | article-number = 102834 | doi = 10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102834 | pmid = 37531876 | s2cid = 260261877 | doi-access = free | title-link = doi }}</ref>

In March 2023, a Novo Nordisk official said, based on a randomized, double-blind study (NCT03548935<ref>{{cite journal | date = November 2021 | title = STEP 1: Research Study Investigating How Well Semaglutide Works in People Suffering From Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1) | website = ClinicalTrials.gov | url = https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03548935 | access-date = 26 December 2024 }}</ref>) funded by the company, that people using semaglutide to lose weight regained two-thirds of their original weight loss one year (52 weeks) after discontinuing use of the drug. After two years (120 weeks), the patients retained roughly one-third of their original weight loss (5.6% of the original 17.3% loss).<ref>{{cite news | date = 30 March 2023 | title = Novo Nordisk says stopping obesity drug may cause full weight regain in 5 years | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-says-stopping-obesity-drug-may-cause-full-weight-regain-5-years-2023-03-30/ | access-date = 12 February 2024 | archive-date = 10 June 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230610192149/https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-says-stopping-obesity-drug-may-cause-full-weight-regain-5-years-2023-03-30/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wilding JP, Batterham RL, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Kandler K, Konakli K, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Oral TK, Rosenstock J, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Kushner RF | date = August 2022 | title = Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension | journal = Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism | volume = 24 | issue = 8 | pages = 1553–1564 | doi = 10.1111/dom.14725 | pmc = 9542252 | pmid = 35441470 }}</ref>

In July 2023, the Icelandic Medicines Agency reported two cases of suicidal thoughts and one case of self-injury of users of the injection, prompting a safety assessment of Ozempic,<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Blanchet B | date = 27 July 2023 | title = Ozempic, Drugs for Weight Loss Being Reviewed for Links to Suicide Risk | website = People | url = https://people.com/ozempic-wegovy-weight-loss-drug-suicide-risks-uk-7566473 | access-date = 28 July 2023 | archive-date = 28 July 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230728122850/https://people.com/ozempic-wegovy-weight-loss-drug-suicide-risks-uk-7566473 | url-status = live }}</ref> Wegovy, Saxenda, and similar drugs.<ref>{{cite news | date = 10 July 2023 | title = Weight-loss jabs investigated for suicide risk | work = BBC News Online | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66119059 | access-date = 10 July 2023 | archive-date = 10 July 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230710230924/https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66119059 | url-status = live }}</ref> In January 2024, a preliminary review conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed no evidence had been found to suggest that the medicine causes suicidal thoughts or actions.<ref>{{cite news | vauthors = Ovalle D, Gilbert D | date = 11 January 2024 | title = FDA reports no link between weight-loss drugs and suicidal thoughts | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/01/11/fda-ozempic-wegovy-suicide-safety/ | access-date = 19 January 2024 | archive-date = 14 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240114143652/https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/01/11/fda-ozempic-wegovy-suicide-safety/ | url-status = live | newspaper = The Washington Post }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | date = 11 January 2024 | title = Update on FDA's ongoing evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in patients taking a certain type of medicines approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity | publisher = U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | url = https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/update-fdas-ongoing-evaluation-reports-suicidal-thoughts-or-actions-patients-taking-certain-type | access-date = 19 January 2024 | archive-date = 19 January 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240119013836/https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/update-fdas-ongoing-evaluation-reports-suicidal-thoughts-or-actions-patients-taking-certain-type | url-status = live }}</ref>

In June 2025, the European Medicines Agency recommended that the product information for semaglutide medicines be updated to include non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) as a very rare side effect,<ref name="EMA3">{{cite web | date = 6 June 2025 | title = PRAC concludes eye condition NAION is a very rare side effect of semaglutide medicines Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy | website = European Medicines Agency (EMA) | url = https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/news/prac-concludes-eye-condition-naion-very-rare-side-effect-semaglutide-medicines-ozempic-rybelsus-wegovy | access-date = 18 August 2025 }}</ref> while the World Health Organization concluded that the risk management plan for semaglutide should be revised to include NAION as a potential risk.<ref>{{cite press release |title=The use of semaglutide medicines and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) |url=https://www.who.int/news/item/27-06-2025-27-06-2025-semaglutide-medicines-naion |access-date=18 August 2025 |website=World Health Organization (WHO) }}</ref>

A 2025 observational study reported a modest increased risk of a serious eye condition in people with diabetes taking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Cooney E | date = 5 June 2025 | title = GLP-1 drugs may be linked to elevated risk of serious eye disease, study finds | website = Stat | url = https://www.statnews.com/2025/06/05/glp-1-drugs-low-but-elevated-risk-of-age-related-macular-degeneration/ | access-date = 7 June 2025 }}</ref> The analysis found that individuals using the medications had a slightly higher incidence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration compared to similar individuals not on the medications.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Shor R, Mihalache A, Noori A, Shor R, Kohly RP, Popovic MM, Muni RH | date = June 2025 | title = Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists and Risk of Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration | journal = JAMA Ophthalmology | volume = 143 | issue = 7 | pages = 587–594 | doi = 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2025.1455 | pmc = 12142475 | pmid = 40471562 | pmc-embargo-date = 5 June 2026 | issn = 2168-6165 }}</ref>

In the STEP-HFpEF trial including people with obesity and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, weight loss was associated with improvements in heart failure symptoms and functional capacity.<ref name="Butler2024Lancet">{{cite journal | vauthors = Butler J, Shah SJ, Petrie MC, Borlaug BA, Abildstrøm SZ, Davies MJ, Hovingh GK, Kitzman DW, Møller DV, Verma S, Einfeldt MN, Lindegaard ML, Rasmussen S, Abhayaratna W, Ahmed FZ, Ben-Gal T, Chopra V, Ezekowitz JA, Fu M, Ito H, Lelonek M, Melenovský V, Merkely B, Núñez J, Perna E, Schou M, Senni M, Sharma K, van der Meer P, Von Lewinski D, Wolf D, Kosiborod MN | date = April 2024 | title = Semaglutide versus placebo in people with obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: a pooled analysis of the STEP-HFpEF and STEP-HFpEF DM randomised trials | journal = Lancet | volume = 403 | issue = 10437 | pages = 1635–1648 | doi = 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00469-0 | pmc = 11317105 | pmid = 38599221 }}</ref> An observational study on people with obesity and type 2{{nbsp}}diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, semaglutide had about a 42% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure and all-cause death combined compared with sitagliptin.<ref name="Kruger2025JAMA">{{cite journal | vauthors = Krüger N, Schneeweiss S, Fuse K, Matseyko S, Sreedhara SK, Hahn G, Schunkert H, Wang SV | date = August 2025 | title = Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction | journal = JAMA | volume = 334 | issue = 14 | pages = 1255–1266 | doi = 10.1001/jama.2025.14092 | pmc = 12400167 | pmid = 40886075 }}</ref>

An analysis of events in the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System suggests an association between several GLP-1 agonists (including semaglutide) and cutaneous reactions, such as dermal hypersensitivity reactions, eosinophilic panniculitis, bullous pemphigoid, and morbilliform drug eruptions.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Daniel S, Waggett S, Lyles E, Sagut P, Shamaei Zadeh P, Marcelletti A, Stegura C, Wine Lee L | date = April 2025 | title = A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of Cutaneous Adverse Reactions in GLP-1 Agonist Therapies | journal = Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | publisher = SanovaWorks | volume = 24 | issue = 4 | pages = 413–415 | doi = 10.36849/JDD.8605 | pmid = 40196945 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Salazar CE, Patil MK, Aihie O, Cruz N, Nambudiri VE | date = May 2024 | title = Rare cutaneous adverse reactions associated with GLP-1 agonists: a review of the published literature | journal = Archives of Dermatological Research | publisher = Springer Link | volume = 316 | issue = 6 | article-number = 248 | doi = 10.1007/s00403-024-02969-3 | pmid = 38795152 }}</ref>

==Notes== {{reflist|group="Note"}}

== References ==

== External links == {{sister project links|d=Q27261089|c=Category:Semaglutide|n=no|b=no|q=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=semaglutide|species=no}} {{Scholia}} * {{cite web | title = Semaglutide tablet | website = MedlinePlus | url = https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619057.html }} * {{ClinicalTrialsGov|NCT03574597|Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients With Overweight or Obesity (SELECT)}}

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