(Generic Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus)
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand medications Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Semaglutide can be used to help treat type 2 diabetes, as well as helping people with weight management.
Semaglutide is a medication that works by mimicking the GLP-1 protein in your body. By mimicking GLP-1, it can help deliver certain effects including increased insulin release, less glucagon release, slowing how fast food can leave your stomach, and making you feel less hungry. For people who are trying to lose weight, these effects may combine to help them eat fewer calories and ultimately lose extra weight.
When using a Semaglutide lozenge, you will likely be instructed to use one every day, once a day, at approximately the same time. This is a sublingual lozenge, so you will not swallow the lozenge, but let it slowly dissolve under your tongue to help with the absorption of the medication. It is also important to know that you will want to combine your Semaglutide treatment with increased physical activity and a healthy reduced calorie diet for the best results.
When using a Semaglutide injection, you will likely be instructed to inject once a week. Clean your injection site and the top of your medication vial with a sterile alcohol pad. The recommended injection sites include your upper leg, upper arm, or stomach (avoiding your navel by at least 2 inches). Using a clean needle and syringe, draw out your prescribed dose into the syringe. Insert the needle straight into your skin and slowly press the plunger until all of the medication has been delivered. Then, carefully remove the needle by lifting it out straight, and dispose of the needle in a sharps container. It is also important to know that you will want to combine your Semaglutide treatment with increased physical activity and a healthy reduced calorie diet for the best results.
Once Semaglutide is in your system, you may start feeling the effects of being less hungry, or feeling like your food is staying in your stomach for longer. However, these effects may take a little longer for some people to feel. If you are using Semaglutide for weight loss, be patient, since even if the medication is helping you consume fewer calories, it may take many weeks or months to physically see changes.
How often you use your Semaglutide will depend on the route you are using. For injectable Semaglutide, you will be on a once-a-week injection regimen. For oral Semaglutide lozenges, you will be using the lozenges once daily.
Before starting Semaglutide, you should let your doctor know about any weight-related diseases or problems you are currently experiencing (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes). You should also let your doctor know about any gastrointestinal issues or diseases you are dealing with, since Semaglutide may also come along with gastrointestinal side effects. Let your doctor know about a history of thyroid cancer, glandular tumors, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or diabetic eye problems.
While you are taking semaglutide, you may want to avoid other medications in the same class of drugs (GLP-1 agonists). Your doctor may also ask about other medications that you are using that can decrease your blood glucose levels, like diabetes medications. You may want to avoid high-fat foods, foods with lots of added sugar, trans and saturated fats, processed carbohydrates, and foods with high sodium. Not only may these foods hinder your weight loss and health goals, but they may bring more digestive discomfort while you are using Semaglutide.
The most common side effects of Semaglutide involve your digestion and gastrointestinal tract. Burping, bloating, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, or symptoms that feel like a stomach flu may occur. Other common side effects may include headache, dizziness, tiredness, and low blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes. For a full list of the possible side effects of Semaglutide, including the less common but more serious side effects, look at the patient safety information on our website and the Semaglutide package information.
You should not use semaglutide if you are allergic to it, or:
Let your doctor know if you have ever had:
In animal studies, semaglutide was shown to cause thyroid cancers or thyroid tumors. It is not clear whether these effects can occur in people as well. Talk to your doctor about your risk for these diseases.
Both men and women should stop using semaglutide at least 2 months before they plan on becoming pregnant or making someone pregnant. Your doctor may have safer options for you to use during this time period, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
It is unknown if it is safe to use injectable semaglutide while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it should be avoided.
You should not breastfeed while you are using oral semaglutide medications like tablets or lozenges.
Semaglutide should not be used in anyone under 18 years of age.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to semaglutide:
More serious side effects of semaglutide include:
(Call your doctor at once if these occur)
Common semaglutide side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
The following links provide further information on the potential risks and benefits of this medication:
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