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 5.5-6.0/10 score holds because benefits often require indefinite use and rare severe harms remain unresolved.
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
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.