What does Semaglutide do? Benefits and evidence

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 medicine sold as weekly injections and daily tablets. Approved uses include weight management and type 2 diabetes, with product-specific heart, kidney and liver indications. Large randomized trials support these uses. Stomach upset is common; dehydration, gallbladder problems, eye complications and dosing errors need attention.

• Wegovy is approved for weight loss and keeping it off in eligible adults, as a weekly shot or a 25 mg daily tablet. (Drug label)
• Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes in adults, and to lower the risk of heart events and kidney decline in some of them. (Drug label)
• Wegovy is also approved to lower the risk of major heart events in adults with heart disease and overweight or obesity. (Drug label)
• In trials of specific groups, people had better heart-failure symptom scores and better walking or knee-pain measures. (Studied in a trial)

Uses in the sources

• Wegovy injection and 25 mg tablets are approved for weight reduction and long-term maintenance in eligible adults. (Drug label) (source)
• Ozempic injection and oral diabetes products are approved for type 2 diabetes; heart and kidney indications differ by product. (Drug label) (source)
• Wegovy is approved to reduce major heart events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity. (Drug label) (source)
• Wegovy injection has accelerated approval for noncirrhotic MASH with F2–F3 scarring; long-term liver outcomes remain under study. (Drug label) (source)
• Trials found better heart-failure symptom scores and walking or knee-pain measures in selected populations. (Studied in a trial) (source)
• EU Rybelsus labels include 25 and 50 mg daily for type 2 diabetes; these are not US FDA label doses. (Drug label) (source)