Semaglutide << SEHM uh GLOO tyd >> is a medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes, a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood remains abnormally high. Semaglutide is also commonly prescribed as a weight-loss drug for patients who are overweight or obese. The drug is marketed for diabetes treatment under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus. It is prescribed under the brand name Wegovy when used primarily for weight loss.
Semaglutide mimics the effects of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which is naturally released in the digestive system after eating. GLP-1 works by increasing the production of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the body’s use of sugars from food. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce a sufficient quantity of insulin. Semaglutide also acts to slow down the digestion of food. This effect helps to provide a feeling of satiety (fullness) and reduce hunger. In addition, the drug interacts with the brain to reduce appetite so that patients eat less.
Semaglutide is typically taken once a week by injection. Rybelsus is taken daily in tablet form. The drug can be obtained only by prescription and should be taken as directed by a physician. When combined with dietary changes and an increase in exercise, the drug promotes significant weight loss. Such weight loss often leads to an overall improvement in health and improvements in lifestyle, body image, and sense of well-being. Weight loss can also lower a patient’s risk for heart attack, stroke, and other diseases associated with excess body weight.
See also Weight control.
