Semaglutide
Reviewed
Short answer
This review covers Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, and the Wegovy HD strength. Their forms, approved uses, and labels differ. Yes. Some semaglutide prescription products are FDA-approved for specific uses.
The Peptide Field explains research. Its pages are not independently medically reviewed, and they do not diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment.
Read the study findingsAlso known as Ozempic · Wegovy · Wegovy HD · Rybelsus · GLP-1 analog
Part of Metabolic peptide medicines
Compared with Liraglutide
Legal status Is Semaglutide legal? See the status table
Study and product details
What it is
Semaglutide is a modified peptide. It is the active ingredient in several prescription medicines. The name alone does not tell you the product, form, approved use, or safety rules. FDA approval and study results belong to the exact product and its current label.
Type of peptide: GLP-1 receptor agonist. This describes what the substance is or how it works. It does not show that it is safe, effective, or approved.
What has been studied?
- Strong: Several reliable sources describe this clearly.
Large studies support the approved uses listed on each product label.
Studies have measured how approved products act in the body and how the body processes them.
Current product labels list known risks, warnings, and when each product should not be used.
High for an authentic approved product. This evidence does not transfer to every compounded version.
Products with the same ingredient can differ.
The ingredient name does not tell you everything about a product. Check its other ingredients, its form, how it enters the body, and the use and people covered by the research or approval.
Ozempic
May 2026- Ingredients and form
- Injection
- How it enters the body
- Injection under the skin
- Use and people covered
- Adults with type 2 diabetes for blood-sugar control. The label also covers heart-risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease. It covers kidney-risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.
Rybelsus
October 2025- Ingredients and form
- Tablet
- How it enters the body
- Tablet by mouth
- Use and people covered
- Adults with type 2 diabetes for blood-sugar control. The label also covers heart-risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk. It is not approved for weight management.
Wegovy
June 2026- Ingredients and form
- Injection and tablet formulations
- How it enters the body
- Injection under the skin or tablet by mouth
- Use and people covered
- The injection label covers weight management in defined adults and children age 12 and older. It also covers heart-risk reduction in defined adults. MASH is a liver disease. When used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, the injection label covers MASH in adults without cirrhosis who have moderate to advanced liver scarring (F2–F3). The tablet label covers adult weight management and heart-risk reduction.
Wegovy HD
June 2026- Ingredients and form
- 7.2 mg injection strength
- How it enters the body
- Injection under the skin
- Use and people covered
- The 7.2 mg Wegovy injection strength for the adult weight-management group named in the label.
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Wegovy HD
- Rybelsus
- Ozempic: blood-sugar control for adults with type 2 diabetes
- Ozempic: heart-risk reduction for adults with type 2 diabetes and established heart disease
- Ozempic: kidney- and heart-risk reduction for adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease
- Rybelsus: blood-sugar control for adults with type 2 diabetes
- Rybelsus: heart-risk reduction for adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk
- Wegovy injection: weight management for the adults and children age 12 and older named in the label
- Wegovy tablets: weight management for the adults named in the label
- Wegovy injection and tablets: heart-risk reduction for the adults named in the label
- Wegovy injection, with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity: MASH in adults without cirrhosis who have moderate to advanced liver scarring (F2–F3). FDA granted accelerated approval after improvements in MASH and liver scarring. Continued approval can depend on a later study that confirms benefit.
What studies found
FDA-reviewed semaglutide products have approved uses and official labels. Each label says who the product is for, its warnings, side effects, and directions. Read the current label for the exact product. Do not rely on the ingredient name alone.
A shared ingredient name does not make two products the same. Evidence from an approved product does not automatically apply to an unapproved, compounded, counterfeit, or research-labeled product. The name alone does not prove equal quality, safety, or results.
Which products do these findings apply to?
Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy are distinct approved products. Wegovy HD is a higher-dose Wegovy injection strength. Evidence for one product or form does not automatically apply to another.
Side effects in the Ozempic and Wegovy labels
Ozempic and Wegovy are FDA-approved medicines made with semaglutide. Ozempic is for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is for weight management and some heart and liver uses. Each FDA label lists the side effects seen in its placebo-controlled trials.
In both labels, stomach and bowel problems were the most common: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and belly pain. In the Wegovy weight trials in adults, 44% had nausea, compared with 16% on placebo.
In those trials, 6.8% of adults on Wegovy stopped because of side effects. On placebo, 3.2% stopped. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea were the most common reasons.
Each number is the share of people in a group who reported the problem during the trials. Placebo means a shot with no medicine in it. The Ozempic label lists problems that reached 5% of people on Ozempic and were more common than on placebo. Its middle column shows the lowest and highest share across two Ozempic dose groups. So one group can be under 5%. The Wegovy label lists problems reported by at least 2% of adults on Wegovy and more often than on placebo. The Wegovy table below shows those that reached 5%.
Trials in the FDA labels
Ozempic trials in adults with type 2 diabetes 30 weeks
Adults with type 2 diabetes in 2 trials. One tested Ozempic alone. The other added it to long-acting insulin. 521 adults took Ozempic in two dose groups and 262 took placebo. Low blood sugar is left out of this table and covered below.
| Reported problem | Ozempic groups | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 15.8% to 20.3% | 6.1% |
| Vomiting | 5.0% to 9.2% | 2.3% |
| Diarrhea | 8.5% to 8.8% | 1.9% |
| Belly pain | 5.7% to 7.3% | 4.6% |
| Constipation | 3.1% to 5.0% | 1.5% |
Source for Ozempic trials in adults with type 2 diabetes: Ozempic prescribing information on DailyMed , label revised .
Wegovy trials in adults with obesity or overweight Up to 68 weeks
Adults with obesity or overweight in 3 trials. 2,116 got Wegovy and 1,261 got placebo. 19% had type 2 diabetes.
| Reported problem | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 44% | 16% |
| Diarrhea | 30% | 16% |
| Vomiting | 24% | 6% |
| Constipation | 24% | 11% |
| Belly pain | 20% | 10% |
| Headache | 14% | 10% |
| Tiredness or weakness (fatigue) | 11% | 5% |
| Indigestion (dyspepsia) | 9% | 3% |
| Dizziness | 8% | 4% |
| Bloated belly | 7% | 5% |
| Burping | 7% | Under 1% |
| Low blood sugar (only people with type 2 diabetes were counted) | 6% | 2% |
| Gas | 6% | 4% |
| Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) | 6% | 4% |
| Acid reflux (GERD) | 5% | 3% |
Source for Wegovy trials in adults with obesity or overweight: Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed , label revised .
4 less common problems in adults, and the Wegovy table for teens
More from the Wegovy label
Wegovy trials in adults, less common problems Up to 68 weeks
The same trials and the same groups as the Wegovy table above.
| Reported problem | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Irritated stomach lining (gastritis) | 4% | 1% |
| Stomach flu from a virus | 4% | 3% |
| Hair loss | 3% | 1% |
| Changed skin feeling, like tingling or burning | 2% | 1% |
Source for Wegovy trials in adults, less common problems: Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed , label revised .
Wegovy trial in teens with obesity 68 weeks
Children aged 12 and older with obesity. 133 got Wegovy and 67 got placebo.
| Reported problem | Wegovy | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 42% | 18% |
| Vomiting | 36% | 10% |
| Diarrhea | 22% | 19% |
| Headache | 17% | 16% |
| Belly pain | 15% | 6% |
| Colds (nose and throat infections) | 12% | 10% |
| Dizziness | 8% | 3% |
| Stomach flu (gastroenteritis) | 7% | 3% |
| Constipation | 6% | 2% |
| Acid reflux (GERD) | 4% | 2% |
| Sinus infection | 4% | 2% |
| Urinary tract infection | 4% | 2% |
| Sprained ligament | 4% | 2% |
| Anxiety | 4% | 2% |
| Hair loss | 4% | 0% |
| Gallstones | 4% | 0% |
| Burping | 4% | 0% |
| Flu | 3% | 0% |
| Rash | 3% | 0% |
| Hives | 3% | 0% |
Source for Wegovy trial in teens with obesity: Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed , label revised .
How these two tables were chosen
The adult table holds the rest of the label's list. These are problems in at least 2% of adults on Wegovy and more common than on placebo.
The teen table is the label's list of problems in at least 3% of teens on Wegovy and more common than on placebo.
Stomach and bowel problems
In the Wegovy weight trials in adults, 73% of people on Wegovy and 47% on placebo had a stomach or bowel problem. These problems were most common while the dose was being raised. Severe ones were reported by 4.1% on Wegovy and 0.9% on placebo.
4.3% of adults stopped Wegovy because of these problems, compared with 0.7% on placebo.
Low blood sugar
Low blood sugar was more likely when semaglutide was taken with insulin or a diabetes medicine called a sulfonylurea.
One Ozempic trial added it to long-acting insulin. There, 0% to 1.5% of the Ozempic groups needed another person's help for low blood sugar. No one on placebo did. When Ozempic was taken with a sulfonylurea, 0.8% to 1.2% had this kind of low blood sugar.
Higher-dose Wegovy (Wegovy HD)
Wegovy HD is a higher weekly dose. Two 72-week trials compared it with the usual Wegovy dose and with placebo. Nausea was reported by 39% on Wegovy HD, 35% on the usual dose, and 13% on placebo.
Changes in skin feeling, such as tingling, burning, or sensitive skin, were reported by 22%, 6%, and under 1%. Among people on Wegovy HD who had these skin changes, 18% did not report recovering during the trial. Hair loss was reported by 6%, 3%, and 1%.
Gallbladder and pancreas
Gallstones were reported by 1.6% of adults on Wegovy shots and 0.7% on placebo. In teens, they were reported by 3.8% on Wegovy and no one on placebo.
Sudden swelling of the pancreas (acute pancreatitis) was confirmed in 4 adults on Wegovy and 1 on placebo in the weight trials.
Eye problems in people with diabetes
One 2-year trial tested weekly semaglutide shots in adults with type 2 diabetes and high heart risk. Problems from diabetic eye disease (retinopathy) were found in 3.0% on semaglutide and 1.8% on placebo. The gap was bigger in people who already had this eye disease: 8.2% compared with 5.2%.
Heart rate
On average, resting heart rate rose 1 to 4 beats per minute on Wegovy compared with placebo. In some trials, heart rate rose by 20 beats per minute or more at a visit. This was seen in 26% of adults on Wegovy and 16% on placebo.
Broken bones in a large heart study
A large Wegovy heart study counted broken bones. Hip and pelvis fractures were more common on Wegovy than on placebo in women (1% compared with 0.2%). They were also more common in people aged 75 and older (2.4% compared with 0.6%).
What these numbers do not show
- Both labels have a boxed warning, FDA's strongest kind. Semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. It is not known whether it causes them in people, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). People with a personal or family history of MTC, or with a condition called MEN 2, must not use it. The labels list signs of a thyroid tumor to watch for: a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, shortness of breath, or hoarseness that does not go away.
- The Ozempic label also lists problems reported after approval, such as pancreatitis that can be deadly, blocked bowels, and kidney injury. How often these happen is not known.
- The labels say side-effect rates from one medicine's trials cannot be directly compared with rates from another medicine's trials.
- Trials can miss rare harms and harms that take years to appear.
- Rybelsus, a semaglutide tablet for diabetes, has its own label and is not shown here. The Wegovy label says side effects of the Wegovy tablet were similar to those in the Wegovy table.
- The product details above may cite an older Ozempic label. These tables use the current labels on DailyMed.
- These numbers describe Ozempic and Wegovy. They do not describe compounded semaglutide or products sold online as research semaglutide.
Report a side effect
You can report a suspected side effect to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or through FDA MedWatch . If a reaction feels serious, get medical care first.
Labels checked .
Compare two labels
- Zepbound vs Wegovy: side effects in the weight-management labels
- Mounjaro vs Ozempic: side effects in the type 2 diabetes labels
- Ozempic vs Wegovy: the same medicine in the diabetes and weight labels
- Victoza vs Ozempic: side effects in the type 2 diabetes labels
- Saxenda vs Wegovy: side effects in the weight-management labels
Fact checks
3 statements checked. Read what the results mean.
“Semaglutide is FDA-approved.”
FDA approves a specific product for specific uses. The current Wegovy label lists different forms, groups of people, uses, and limits.
- What this answer is based on
- Official record or product label
- Limits of this answer
- The exact semaglutide products, forms, people, and uses named in current FDA labels.
Sources for this fact check (3)
“Compounded semaglutide is the same as an approved product.”
FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and are not reviewed for safety, effectiveness, or quality before marketing.
- What this answer is based on
- Official record or product label
- Limits of this answer
- Compounded or otherwise unapproved semaglutide products compared with FDA-approved products.
Sources for this fact check (1)
“A result in one population proves the same benefit for everyone.”
A study supports only the people, product form, dose, length, approved use, and result that it tested.
- What this answer is based on
- Health results from a study with randomly assigned groups
- Limits of this answer
- The people, product forms, measured results, and study lengths described in the cited product record.
Sources for this fact check (1)
Questions people ask about Semaglutide
The Ozempic and Wegovy labels list nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and belly pain as the most common side effects. In the Wegovy weight trials, nausea was reported by 44% of adults on Wegovy and 16% on placebo. The labels also warn about pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and low blood sugar when semaglutide is taken with some diabetes medicines. Both labels have a boxed warning about thyroid tumors seen in rodents.
Risks and safety limits
This guide does not recommend a product, say who can use it, or give dosing instructions. A licensed clinician must use the current label and a person's medical history to make treatment decisions.
No ban was identified in the checked 2026 WADA record. WADA monitors markers of semaglutide in and out of competition. Monitoring is not the same as a ban. Check the current list and your sport's rules.
Reviewed .Check the rules for athletes ↗Read the official rules ↗Terms used in the studies
- analog
- a changed version made to act like another substance
- compounded
- made for one patient by a pharmacy, or in batches by a permitted outsourcing facility; a compounded drug is not FDA-approved
- randomized
- assigned to study groups by chance
- outcome
- what the study measured
- peptide
- a short chain of amino acids
- receptor
- a protein in a cell that receives a body signal
- agonist
- a substance that activates a receptor
- amino acid
- a small building block that makes peptides and proteins
Read the sources
Show 8 sources
Review history
Checked current Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy labels. Added the Wegovy injection use for MASH, kept each form's limits, and checked the 2026 sports monitoring record.
Revalidated the semaglutide approval claim against the current Wegovy label and retained product-, formulation-, population-, and indication-specific scope.
Expanded product, claim, and source provenance fields.
Not independently medically reviewed. This page is not a dosing, sourcing, or treatment guide.
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