Semaglutide
Semaglutide
Overview
Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist originally developed for type 2 diabetes management and approved by the FDA under the brand names Ozempic (injectable) and Rybelsus (oral). It later received approval as Wegovy for chronic weight management, making it one of the most clinically significant peptides of the last decade. Semaglutide has an extraordinary clinical evidence base with multiple large-scale Phase 3 trials demonstrating substantial weight loss, cardiovascular risk reduction, and glycemic control. It represents the forefront of metabolic peptide therapeutics.
Compound Data
Molecular Formula
C187H291N45O59
Molecular Weight
4114.00 g/mol
IUPAC Name
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
PubChem CID
56843331Where does Semaglutide sit?
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Mechanism of Action
Semaglutide is a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% homology to human GLP-1. It works by binding to GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas, brain, and gastrointestinal tract. In the pancreas it stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppresses glucagon release, improving glycemic control without causing hypoglycemia at normal glucose levels. In the hypothalamus and brainstem it reduces appetite and food intake by modulating hunger and satiety signaling circuits. It slows gastric emptying, increasing feelings of fullness after meals. The addition of a C18 fatty acid chain via a linker gives semaglutide an extended half-life of approximately one week, enabling once-weekly dosing. Cardiovascular benefits appear to result from direct GLP-1 receptor effects on the heart and vasculature.
Dosage Information
Typical Dose
0.25-2.4 mg weekly (weight management), 0.5-2 mg weekly (diabetes)
Frequency
Once weekly
Administration
Subcutaneous injection or oral tablet (Rybelsus)
Notes
Always titrated gradually over 16-20 weeks to minimize GI side effects. Requires medical supervision. Oral bioavailability is approximately 1% — injectable form is far more efficient.
Potential Side Effects
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Quick Facts
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection or oral tablet (Rybelsus)
- Typical Dose
- 0.25-2.4 mg weekly (weight management), 0.5-2 mg weekly (diabetes)
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- References
- 0 curated + 39 from PubMed
- Clinical Trials
- 49 registered
- Evidence Score
- 77.3 / 100