Metabolic & Weight

Semaglutide

A GLP-1 receptor agonist best known as Ozempic/Wegovy, used for weight management and diabetes.

C187H291N45O59Half-life: 7 days (weekly dosing)Molar mass: 4113.60 g/mol

⚠ Research & Educational Use Only. Semaglutide is a research chemical documented here for scientific education. All information references peer-reviewed literature and preclinical/clinical study data. Not for human consumption. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed researcher or healthcare professional before any laboratory use.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Amanda Reid, MDWritten by the KnowYourPeptide Research TeamLast updated April 2026
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Key Takeaways
  • Significant weight loss (15–21% body weight in clinical trials)
  • Improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
  • Reduced cardiovascular risk (SELECT trial: 20% reduction in MACE)
  • Semaglutide is not FDA-approved for human use. It is a research chemical for scientific study only.

Research At a Glance

  • Significant weight loss (15–21% body weight in clinical trials)
  • Improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
  • Reduced cardiovascular risk (SELECT trial: 20% reduction in MACE)
  • Decreased appetite and reduced food cravings
Calculate Semaglutide dose

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that mimics the GLP-1 incretin hormone. It works by stimulating insulin secretion in response to elevated blood glucose, suppressing glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite by acting on satiety centers in the brain. Originally approved by the FDA as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes management (2017), it was later approved as Wegovy at higher doses for chronic weight management (2021). Research has demonstrated unprecedented levels of weight loss (15–21% body weight) not previously seen with any other pharmaceutical agent.

Key Research Benefits

Documented effects observed in preclinical and clinical studies on Semaglutide. See all Metabolic & Weight peptides for comparison.

Significant weight loss (15–21% body weight in clinical trials)
Improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes
Reduced cardiovascular risk (SELECT trial: 20% reduction in MACE)
Decreased appetite and reduced food cravings
Slows gastric emptying, increasing satiety
Potential benefits for NASH/NAFLD (liver disease)
May reduce risk of heart attack and stroke
Emerging research on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease prevention

Common Stacks

Semaglutide is frequently combined with the following peptides for synergistic effects. Click any peptide to compare profiles before deciding.

The CagriSema combination - cagrilintide's amylin receptor mechanism adds 5-7% additional weight loss on top of semaglutide alone.

Cagrilintide profile

BPC-157 is frequently used to mitigate the GI side effects (nausea, gut dysmotility) associated with GLP-1 agonists.

BPC-157 profile

Tirzepatide's dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism produces greater weight loss than semaglutide alone - often compared as alternative rather than combined.

Tirzepatide profile

Side Effects & Risks

Adverse effects reported in the research literature. All data sourced from preclinical and clinical study reports.

Nausea (very common, especially early in treatment)
Vomiting and diarrhea
Constipation
Pancreatitis (rare but serious)
Thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies (unknown significance in humans)
Muscle loss (sarcopenia) if not accompanied by adequate protein and resistance training
Gallbladder disease/gallstones
"Ozempic face" — facial fat loss
Severe GI upset

Dosing Data from the Literature

Doses referenced below are sourced from published preclinical and clinical studies. Use the peptide dose calculator to convert these values to injection volume.

Research Dosing Protocol

Standard clinical dosing: Start at 0.25 mg/week for 4 weeks, increase to 0.5 mg/week, then titrate up to 1 mg (diabetes) or 2.4 mg/week (weight management) over 16-20 weeks. Research peptide dosing may differ — typically starts at 0.25 mg/week and titrates more slowly.

Enter your vial size and target dose to get the exact injection volume.

Administration in Research Settings

Standard reconstitution and administration methodology for laboratory research use.

Approved as a once-weekly subcutaneous injection (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm). Administered the same day each week. Can be taken with or without food. Titrate slowly to minimize GI side effects. Ensure adequate protein intake (1.6–2.2 g/kg body weight) and resistance training to preserve muscle mass.

Research Video

Explore Further

Quick Reference

Half-Life
7 days (weekly dosing)
Molar Mass
4113.60 g/mol
Formula
C187H291N45O59
Legal Status
FDA-approved prescription drug (Ozempic, Wegovy). Research peptide form is available for laboratory research only. Not legal to use research-grade semaglutide as a substitute for prescribed medication.
Storage
Unopened: store at 2–8°C (do not freeze). Once in use (pen): store at room temperature (up to 30°C) for up to 56 days. Research peptide vials: store lyophilized at -20°C; reconstituted at 2–8°C for up to 28 days.

Research Use Only

This information is for educational research purposes only. This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.