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Semaglutide

The King of Weight Loss Peptides

FDA ApprovedOzempicWegovyRybelsus

Quick Take

If you've heard of Ozempic, you've heard of semaglutide. Originally developed for Type 2 diabetes, it became a cultural phenomenon when people started losing 15-20% of their body weight. It's now the most prescribed weight loss medication in history.

How It Works

Simple Explanation

Semaglutide mimics a hormone called GLP-1 that your body naturally produces after eating. This hormone tells your brain you're full, slows down digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar.

🔬 Technical Details (Click to expand)

As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide binds to receptors in the hypothalamus (appetite center), pancreas (insulin secretion), and gut (gastric emptying). The 94% homology to native GLP-1 provides extended half-life of ~7 days, enabling once-weekly dosing.

Key Research

STEP Trials (2021)

Participants lost an average of 14.9% body weight vs 2.4% with placebo over 68 weeks

SELECT Trial (2023)

20% reduction in cardiovascular events (heart attacks, strokes) in overweight patients

STEP-HFpEF (2023)

Improved heart failure symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with obesity

Benefits

  • 15-20% body weight loss in clinical trials
  • Reduced appetite and food cravings ('food noise' reduction)
  • Improved blood sugar control
  • Cardiovascular benefits (reduced heart attack/stroke risk)
  • May reduce inflammation markers

Side Effects

  • Nausea — Very common (40-50%)Usually improves with slow titration
  • Vomiting — Common (25%)Dose-dependent
  • Diarrhea — Common (20%)
  • Constipation — Common (15%)
  • Gallbladder issues — UncommonMonitor if symptoms occur
  • Pancreatitis — RareSeek immediate care if severe abdominal pain

Typical Dosing

Standard Dose

Start at 0.25mg weekly, titrate up to 2.4mg over 16-20 weeks

Forms Available

  • • Subcutaneous injection (Ozempic, Wegovy)
  • • Oral tablet (Rybelsus)

Frequency

Once weekly (injection) or once daily (oral)

⚠️ This is general information only. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any peptide.

Who It's For

  • ✓ People with BMI ≥30 (obesity)
  • ✓ People with BMI ≥27 with weight-related conditions
  • ✓ Type 2 diabetics seeking weight loss + glucose control
  • ✓ Those who've failed diet/exercise alone

Who Should Avoid

  • ✗ Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
  • ✗ History of pancreatitis
  • ✗ Pregnant or planning pregnancy
  • ✗ Those with severe GI conditions

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