Metabolic Research

Semaglutide (GLP-1 Agonist)

FDA-approved product existsWeight & metabolicImmune & gut
6.0/10

BioHarmony verdict

Worth trying

Semaglutide is a prescription GLP-1 receptor agonist that produced 14.9% mean weight loss in STEP-1 and cut 3-point MACE by 20% in SELECT, but the 6.0-6.5/10 score holds because benefits often require indefinite use and rare severe harms remain unresolved.

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What is Semaglutide (GLP-1 Agonist)?

Semaglutide is a prescription GLP-1 receptor agonist used for type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with established CVD and overweight or obesity, and newer metabolic indications such as noncirrhotic MASH with fibrosis. In practice, semaglutide is best known as Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, Wegovy for obesity and cardiometabolic risk reduction, and Rybelsus as the oral tablet.

From the BioHarmony report, reviewed 2026-09-08.

How it is thought to work

Activates GLP-1 receptors in pancreatic beta cells, appetite-regulating hypothalamic circuits, and the GI tract, increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing appetite.

Safety watch-outs

  • Persistent vomiting or dehydration
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Blood in stool or black stool
  • Symptoms of pancreatitis: severe upper abdominal pain radiating to back

Full risk profile in the BioHarmony report.

Dosing as published

Approved labelWEGOVY injection prescribing information for approved indications
PopulationAdults and adolescents covered by the approved WEGOVY injection indications
Dose0.25 mg weekly for weeks 1-4, 0.5 mg for weeks 5-8, 1 mg for weeks 9-12, and 1.7 mg for weeks 13-16. Maintenance dosing depends on indication; the usual recommended dose is 2.4 mg weekly, with specified alternatives in the label.
RouteSubcutaneous injection in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
FrequencyOnce weekly
DurationLong-term use within the approved indications; initial escalation spans 16 weeks
PreparationReady-to-use single-dose prefilled pens; no reconstitution. The label lists 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, 2.4 mg, and 7.2 mg presentations.
Source: Dosage and Administration sections 2.1-2.2; Dosage Forms and Strengths section 3
Approved labelWEGOVY tablet prescribing information for approved adult cardiovascular-risk and weight-management indications
PopulationAdults covered by the approved WEGOVY tablet indications
Dose1.5 mg once daily for days 1-30, 4 mg once daily for days 31-60, 9 mg once daily for days 61-90, then the labeled maintenance dose of 25 mg once daily
RouteOral tablet on an empty stomach in the morning with up to 4 ounces of water
FrequencyOnce daily, waiting at least 30 minutes before food, beverages, or other oral medication
DurationLong-term use within the approved adult indications; initial escalation spans 90 days
PreparationReady-to-use tablet; no reconstitution. Swallow whole without splitting, crushing, chewing, or dissolving.
Source: Dosage and Administration sections 2.1 and 2.3; Dosage Forms and Strengths section 3

More reported protocols

Members

Members can compare additional reported doses, schedules, and preparation notes.

Educator coverage (3)

Attributed viewpoints, separate from primary research.

Co-studied relationships

These entries name compounds evaluated together in a human study. They are not instructions to combine treatments.

Cagrilintide + semaglutide (CagriSema)

A randomised human trial evaluated this fixed combination against its component therapies. That makes it a co-studied relationship, not a DIY pairing or a recommendation to combine medicines.

Cagrilintide

REIMAGINE 2 randomised trial, 2026

Trust & sourcing

US approvalFDA-approved product exists
CompoundingCompounded products are not FDA approved and eligibility is circumstance-specific
Last checked2026-07-12
Next review2026-10-10

FDA lists three approved semaglutide products and separately warns that compounded injectable versions have caused dosing errors, including overdoses requiring hospitalization.

Primary sources

  1. 6.5/10MOTS-cWorth tryingWeight & metabolicNot FDA approvedMOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide discovered in Lee 2015 that activates AMPK through the folate and purine pathway.
  2. 6.2/10IpamorelinWorth tryingRecoveryNot FDA approvedIpamorelin is a selective growth-hormone secretagogue with strong receptor selectivity but almost no human efficacy data: its only completed human efficacy trial…
  3. 6.1/10TirzepatideWorth tryingWeight & metabolicFDA-approved product existsTirzepatide is a once-weekly subcutaneous dual GIP plus GLP-1 receptor agonist with unusually large weight-loss and glycemic effects.
  4. 6.0/10SS-31 (Elamipretide)Worth tryingRecoveryFDA-approved product existsSS-31 (elamipretide) is a mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that binds cardiolipin.

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