home / compounds / Semaglutide
Semaglutide
Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
GLP-1 agonist. Approved, trial-backed, and genuinely effective for weight and glycaemic control.
What it is
A long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, approved under brand names including Ozempic and Wegovy.
What it does
Slows gastric emptying, increases satiety signalling and improves glycaemic control — producing substantial weight loss in trials.
Does it work?
Among the most rigorously tested compounds here, with large randomised trials and regulatory approval in many markets including Saudi Arabia. Side effects are well documented. This is a prescription medicine and should be obtained and supervised through a licensed physician.
Claims vs data
Each marketing claim, tagged by what the evidence actually supports.
| Produces clinically meaningful weight loss | supported |
| Improves glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes | supported |
| Free of side effects | overreach |
Reference figures
Quoted from published reference material. These are not Peptuity recommendations.
The evidence, counted
Live counts from Europe PMC and ClinicalTrials.gov.
15,890 publications indexed, including 593 randomised controlled trials. 618 interventional studies registered. This is a well-tested compound.
query: "Semaglutide" · checked 2026-08-07
Most-cited literature
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Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Marso SP, Bain SC, Consoli A, Eliaschewitz FG, Jódar E, Leiter LA, Lin · N Engl J Med 2016 · 4652 citations
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Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association
Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker · Circulation 2023 · 3708 citations
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Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity
Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I · N Engl J Med 2021 · 3352 citations
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Mechanisms of NAFLD development and therapeutic strategies
Friedman SL, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, Rinella M, Sanyal AJ. · Nat Med 2018 · 3351 citations
Regulatory status
Formal, dated regulatory actions.
Common questions
Is semaglutide available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes — it is an SFDA-registered prescription medicine under its brand names. It is dispensed through pharmacies with a prescription, not bought as a research compound.
How is grey-market semaglutide different?
Vialled research-grade product has no regulatory oversight of identity, purity or dose accuracy. The trial evidence applies to the approved pharmaceutical, not to unverified vials.
Do you advise on dosing?
No. It is a prescription medicine; dosing and titration belong with the prescribing physician.
Related compounds
Tirzepatide
Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist. Approved, and outperformed semaglutide in head-to-head trials.
Retatrutide
Triple agonist with the strongest phase 2 weight results yet — but not approved anywhere.
Cagrilintide
Amylin analogue, mainly studied combined with semaglutide.