FDA ApprovedWeight LossMetabolic

Semaglutide

Ozempic

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist | Weight Loss & Diabetes

Half-life

~7 days (168 hours)

Chain length

31 amino acids

Reference frequency

Once weekly (same day each week)

Research overview

DoseGear research brief

Long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management. Over 17,000 trial participants have demonstrated significant efficacy through appetite suppression and glycemic control. The 7-day half-life enables convenient weekly dosing.

Mechanism of action

Mimics native GLP-1, binding to receptors to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying, and reduce appetite via hypothalamic pathways.

Compound background

Development & research timeline

Study windows describe what researchers measured, not when an individual should expect a result.

Origin & development

Engineered long-acting GLP-1 analog.

What it is researched for

Diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular-outcome research through GLP-1-receptor effects on insulin, glucagon, and appetite.

Research observation window

Cited injectable studies include 68 weeks, 104 weeks, and approximately 40 months of cardiovascular follow-up.

Reference data

Lyophilized vial injectable protocols

Not personalized dosing instructions

Only injectable vial references are shown. Nasal, topical, and unsupported non-vial schedules are excluded.

Research context	Amount	Frequency	Route
Weight Loss Initiation	0.25mg	Weekly x 4 weeks, then increase	Subcutaneous
Weight Loss Maintenance	2.4mg	Weekly (after 16-week titration)	Subcutaneous
Diabetes Management	0.5-1mg	Weekly	Subcutaneous
Cardiovascular Protection	0.5-1mg	Weekly	Subcutaneous
Tolerability-Based	0.25-2.4mg	Weekly (individualized)	Subcutaneous

Reference cycle

Ongoing therapy as prescribed

Reference storage

Pen: 2-8°C before first use, room temp up to 56 days after; Compounded: 2-8°C

Safety context

Reported side effects

Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Constipation
Abdominal pain

Contraindications & cautions

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
History of pancreatitis

Scientific references

01
Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1)
Scientific citationOnce-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). New England Journal of Medicine (2021).
02
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT)
Scientific citationSemaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). New England Journal of Medicine (2023).
03
Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6)
Scientific citationSemaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes (SUSTAIN-6). New England Journal of Medicine (2016).
04
Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 5)
Scientific citationTwo-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 5). Nature Medicine (2022).

This DoseGear profile combines published scientific literature with lyophilized-vial protocol references. Citations are provided for independent review.

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