Semaglutide: what the research says
Also known as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus.
Approved Semaglutide is a licensed medicine in at least one country, prescribed by a doctor.
Key facts
- Class
- A GLP-1 receptor agonist: a copy of the gut hormone GLP-1 with a fatty-acid side chain that makes it last about a week.
- How it works
- Helps the body release insulin when blood sugar is high, lowers glucagon, slows stomach emptying, and acts on appetite areas of the brain.
- Main trial result
- In the STEP 1 trial, adults without diabetes lost about 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks on average, compared with 2.4% on placebo, alongside diet and exercise.
- Side effects
- Common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain. Less common but serious: pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney injury from dehydration. Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents.
Anti-doping (WADA) status
Not on WADA's 2026 Prohibited List, but WADA monitors it to look for misuse. Athletes should check current rules with their anti-doping body.
Status in Nepal
Approved in the US (FDA) and the EU (EMA). We could not confirm its registration with Nepal's Department of Drug Administration. It is a prescription medicine: use only under a doctor's care.
Sources
- Wilding et al., Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1, NEJM 2021; 384:989-1002)
- FDA prescribing information for Wegovy (semaglutide)
- EMA: Wegovy EPAR
This page explains research. It is not a recommendation to use Semaglutide. Talk to a doctor before using any medicine.
