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No. 023 · Metabolic · Weight Loss Peptide

Semaglutide

NN9535OzempicWegovyRybelsus

S Tier S · Approved how tiers work →
  • FDA approved 2017
  • WADA — not listed
Compare Cite
Fingerprint 31 residues
Semaglutide sequence fingerprint
  • Nonpolar 15
  • Polar 7
  • Positive charge 4
  • Negative charge 4
  • Modified / non-standard 1

Each dot is a residue placed around the ring from N- to C-terminus; its distance from the centre reflects its chemistry.

01

Evidence

  1. D In vitro
  2. C Animal
  3. B Human pilot
  4. A RCT
  5. S Approved

TIER S — Approved by the FDA or EMA for at least one indication.

Multiple phase 3 RCTs (SUSTAIN, STEP, SELECT); FDA-approved in 2017 (Ozempic), later as Wegovy and Rybelsus, and authorised by the EMA.

Tiers rate the strength of published evidence — not effectiveness, safety, or a recommendation.

02

At a glance

Residues
31 amino acids, N→C
Molecular weight
4,113.6 Da
Formula
C187H291N45O59
Discovered
2015 Discovery published by Novo Nordisk scientists (Lau et al., J Med Chem 2015).
Routes studied
Subcutaneous Routes used in published research
FDA
Approved (2017) Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus Approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, 2017) and chronic weight management (Wegovy, 2021).
WADA
Not on the Prohibited List
03

Sequence

N → C · 31 residues · hover, tap, or use arrow keys to inspect

Note GLP-1(7–37) analogue: Aib at position 2 (Ala8), Arg at position 28 (Lys34); K20 (Lys26) carries a C-18 fatty diacid attached via a γ-Glu–2×OEG linker.

04

Overview

A GLP-1 receptor agonist FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic) and chronic weight management (Wegovy). It has become one of the most widely prescribed peptide-based therapies worldwide.

Research status FDA-approved as Ozempic and Wegovy; backed by SELECT, STEP, and SUSTAIN Phase III programs

05

Mechanism

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with 94% homology to native GLP-1, modified with a C18 fatty diacid chain enabling albumin binding and once-weekly pharmacokinetics. It activates GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas (enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion), the gut (slowing gastric emptying), and the hypothalamus (reducing appetite and food reward signaling).

06

Effects reported in research

Reported outcomes, not promises. Some come from controlled human trials; others may be from smaller or preclinical studies — check the studies below.

  • Clinically significant weight loss (up to 15%)
  • Improved glycemic control
  • Reduced appetite and food cravings
  • Cardiovascular event risk reduction
07

Safety & unknowns

FDA-approved with robust Phase III data. Most common side effects are GI-related and dose-dependent: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. Boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors (rodent signal). Contraindicated in MTC/MEN 2 history. SELECT trial demonstrated 20% cardiovascular event reduction.

Unknowns. Trial safety data apply to the populations, formulations and conditions studied.

Informational only — not medical advice. peptidemeta publishes no dosing, protocols, or sourcing. Talk to a qualified clinician about any treatment decision.

08

Studies [3]

  1. Clinical trial 2023

    Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes

    Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. New England Journal of Medicine

    In the SELECT RCT in 17,604 adults with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity without diabetes, major cardiovascular events occurred in 6.5% with semaglutide versus 8.0% with placebo (hazard ratio 0.80).

    [pubmed] [doi]

  2. Clinical trial 2021

    Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity

    Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. New England Journal of Medicine

    In the 68-week STEP 1 RCT in 1961 adults with overweight or obesity, mean body weight change was -14.9% with semaglutide 2.4 mg versus -2.4% with placebo.

    [pubmed] [doi]

  3. Clinical trial 2016

    Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

    Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, et al. New England Journal of Medicine

    In the SUSTAIN-6 RCT in 3297 patients with type 2 diabetes, the primary cardiovascular outcome occurred in 6.6% with semaglutide versus 8.9% with placebo (hazard ratio 0.74).

    [pubmed] [doi]

10

Status sources

Sources behind the tier, regulatory status, sequence and dates on this page.

11

Cite this entry

$ cite --format=apa

peptidemeta. (2026). Semaglutide. In peptidemeta: The peptide library, ranked by evidence. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://peptidemeta.com/p/semaglutide/

$ cite --format=bibtex 
@misc{peptidemeta-semaglutide,
  title = {Semaglutide},
  author = {{peptidemeta}},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://peptidemeta.com/p/semaglutide/}},
  note = {Accessed 2026-11-08}
}

Accessed date reflects when you opened this page. Cite primary studies for scientific claims.

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