Semaglutide
Pronunciation: sem-a-GLOO-tide.
- Generic name
- semaglutide
- Drug class
- GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Form
- Injection pen (various strengths) or oral tablet (3 mg, 7 mg, 14 mg, or 25 mg)
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection or oral tablet (depending on the product)
- Legal status
- Prescription-only
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand
Australia: Wegovy (5), Ozempic (5) · Full directory
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors
In rodent studies, semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors; whether this happens in humans, including a serious cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), is not known. Semaglutide (in any form -- Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus) must not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of MTC or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your prescriber right away about a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness that does not go away, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. (1)
What semaglutide is and how it works
Semaglutide is a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist medicine used to manage type 2 diabetes (as Ozempic or Rybelsus) or for long-term weight management (as Wegovy). (1)
This is a specialist/prescriber-directed medicine with a real risk of thyroid tumors in rodent studies and several other serious warnings. Which product, dose, and schedule applies to you depends on which condition is being treated -- always follow the specific instructions for your prescribed product.
Mechanism of action: how semaglutide works
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1, increasing insulin secretion, decreasing glucagon secretion, and slowing gastric emptying, which together improve blood sugar control and reduce appetite/food intake. (1)
What semaglutide is used for
Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus)
Used together with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is also used to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with type 2 diabetes and existing heart disease, and to reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. (1)
Chronic weight management (Wegovy)
Used together with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for long-term weight management in adults with obesity, or who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. Also used to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight, whether or not they have diabetes. (2)
Before taking semaglutide
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not take semaglutide (any brand) if you or anyone in your family has ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). (all countries) (1)
- Do not take semaglutide if you have had a serious allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. (all countries) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any personal or family history of thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
- A history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or diabetic eye disease (retinopathy).
- Diabetes and the other medicines you take for it, especially insulin or medicines that increase insulin release.
- Kidney problems, or any illness causing significant vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Severe stomach/digestive problems, including slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis).
- All other medicines you take, especially other oral medicines, since semaglutide can affect how well they are absorbed.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
How to take semaglutide
- Ozempic and Wegovy (injectable): given once weekly, on the same day each week, at any time of day, with or without food.
- Rybelsus (oral tablet): must be taken on a completely empty stomach first thing in the morning, swallowed whole with no more than 4 ounces (about half a cup) of plain water. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking any other oral medicines, vitamins, or supplements. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet.
- Your prescriber will start you on a low dose and increase it gradually over weeks to months -- do not change your own dose.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Missed dose
Ozempic/Wegovy (injection): if you miss a dose, give it within 5 days if you remember in time; if more than 5 days have passed, skip the missed dose and continue your normal weekly schedule -- do not take a double dose. Rybelsus (tablet): skip the missed dose and take the next dose the following day at the usual time -- never take two doses on the same day.
Overdose
Seek urgent medical attention or contact your prescriber immediately if too much semaglutide has been taken, especially if you develop severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar symptoms. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.
Nausea is very common, especially when starting or increasing the dose.
What to notice: Nausea is very common, especially when starting or increasing the dose.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain.
What to notice: Vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, and stomach pain.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Serious warnings
Thyroid tumor symptoms (possible medullary thyroid carcinoma) — boxed_warning
Symptoms: A lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness that does not go away, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.
Action: Tell your prescriber right away if any of these symptoms occur. Semaglutide must not be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. (1)
Signs of acute pancreatitis — emergency
Symptoms: Severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to the back, with or without nausea and vomiting.
Action: Seek urgent medical attention. Your prescriber will decide whether semaglutide needs to be stopped if pancreatitis is suspected. (1)
Signs of gallbladder problems — high caution
Symptoms: Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, fever, or yellowing of the skin/eyes.
Action: Contact your prescriber promptly. (1)
Signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) — high caution
Symptoms: Shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat -- particularly if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea.
Action: Discuss your other diabetes medicines with your prescriber, as doses may need to be reduced. (1)
Worsening of diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) — high caution
Symptoms: New or worsening vision changes.
Action: Tell your prescriber, especially if you already have diabetic retinopathy -- regular eye monitoring may be recommended. (1)
Serious allergic reaction — emergency
Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)
Interactions
- Semaglutide slows stomach emptying and can affect how well other oral medicines are absorbed -- tell your prescriber about everything else you take, especially Rybelsus's specific administration timing. (1)
- If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea, your prescriber may reduce that medicine's dose when starting semaglutide to lower the risk of low blood sugar. (1)
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Semaglutide is not recommended during pregnancy. If you are planning a pregnancy, your prescriber will likely advise stopping at least 2 months beforehand, because the medicine stays in the body for a long time. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Breastfeeding
There is no data on whether semaglutide passes into human breast milk. Discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Children
Wegovy is approved for weight management in adolescents aged 12 and older in some countries; Ozempic and Rybelsus are for adults. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Elderly
No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Hepatic_impairment
Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Renal_impairment
Ozempic is specifically used to reduce the risk of kidney disease progression in type 2 diabetes; monitor kidney function especially if experiencing significant vomiting or diarrhoea. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Source_ids
Monitoring
Before starting
- Personal/family history of thyroid cancer or MEN 2
- History of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, or diabetic eye disease
- Current diabetes medicines
During treatment
- Watch for thyroid tumor symptoms throughout treatment.
- Blood sugar monitoring if also taking insulin or a sulfonylurea.
- Kidney function monitoring if experiencing significant vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Eye examinations if you have existing diabetic retinopathy.
Storage
Store as directed on the product label supplied with your specific medicine (injection pens generally need refrigeration before first use); keep out of the reach of children.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information for Ozempic plus manufacturer information for Wegovy and Rybelsus; verify against the current full label before prescribing.
United States
Indication: Type 2 diabetes / cardiovascular / renal (Ozempic)
Dose summary: 0.25mg once weekly x4 weeks, then 0.5mg once weekly; may increase to 1mg after 4+ weeks, then 2mg after a further 4+ weeks for glycaemic control; 1mg maintenance for the renal-outcomes indication. Missed dose: give within 5 days, otherwise skip.
Renal context: Indicated to reduce risk of eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death in type 2 diabetes with chronic kidney disease. (1)
United States
Indication: Chronic weight management / cardiovascular risk reduction (Wegovy)
Dose summary: 0.25mg once weekly x4 weeks, then 0.5mg, 1.0mg, 1.7mg (each x4 weeks), to 2.4mg maintenance once weekly; oral 25mg tablet form also approved (Dec 2025). Higher 7.2mg dose separately approved in some countries.
Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (2)
United States
Indication: Type 2 diabetes, oral (Rybelsus)
Dose summary: 3mg once daily x30 days (initiation only, not for glycaemic control), then 7mg once daily; may increase to 14mg maximum. Must be taken on an empty stomach with <=4oz water, 30-minute wait before food/drink/other oral medicines.
Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (3)
Hepatic guidance
Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier.
Overdose note
No specific antidote described in the source reviewed; manage supportively, particularly for GI symptoms and hypoglycaemia, and seek urgent guidance for suspected overdose. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy/Rybelsus) available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
Yes. All three brands are approved across these markets, though the specific approved uses and doses vary slightly by country and product -- for example, a higher 7.2mg Wegovy dose is approved in the UK, and Wegovy's cardiovascular-risk-reduction use has separate approval dates in Australia and New Zealand. (1) (4) (5)
Can I switch between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus myself?
No. Although they contain the same active medicine, these products have different doses, forms, and approved uses. Only your prescriber should decide whether and how to switch between them. (1)
Why does Rybelsus have to be taken so specifically (empty stomach, small water, wait 30 minutes)?
This is how the tablet is absorbed properly into the body -- taking it with food, more water, or other medicines can significantly reduce how much of the medicine gets absorbed, making it less effective. (3)
What is the mechanism of action of semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the incretin hormone GLP-1, increasing insulin secretion, decreasing glucagon secretion, and slowing gastric emptying, which together improve blood sugar control and reduce appetite/food intake. (1)
What is the generic name of Semaglutide?
The generic name is semaglutide. (1)
What class of drug is semaglutide?
Semaglutide is classed as: GLP-1 receptor agonist. (1)
References
- OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Novo Nordisk Inc. · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
- Wegovy (semaglutide) dosing and titration scheduleNovo Nordisk manufacturer information (NovoMedLink) summarizing the current US label · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
- Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) administration instructions and dosingNovo Nordisk manufacturer patient information (Rybelsus.com) · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
- UK MHRA, EU EMA, and Health Canada approvals for semaglutide productsAOL/Reuters news summaries of manufacturer and regulator announcements · United Kingdom / European Union / Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
- TGA and Medsafe approvals for Ozempic and WegovyTGA (Australia) resources and Pearce IP / The Spinoff (New Zealand regulatory news) · Australia / New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient semaglutide names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- WEGOVY.5 mg/.5mL, .25 mg/.5mL, 9 mg, 1.7 mg/.75mL, 7.2 mg/.75mL, 1 mg/.5mL, 25 mg, 2.4 mg/.75mL · novo nordisk pharmaceutical industries, lp
- Ozempic.68 mg/mL, 1.34 mg/mL, 4 mg, 2.68 mg/mL, 9 mg, 1.5 mg · novo nordisk pharmaceutical industries, lp
- RYBELSUS7 mg, 3 mg, 14 mg · novo nordisk pharmaceutical industries, lp
United Kingdom
Canada
- Ozempic (4)reported approved diabetes and kidney risk reduction confirmed · not specified in fetched source · Novo Nordisk Canada Inc.
Australia
New Zealand
View brands in additional countries.
European Union
Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus (4)