Semaglutide: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects, Cost
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, all from Novo Nordisk. The first Semaglutide brand, Ozempic, was FDA approved in 2017. The lowest self-pay price is $149 per month for Wegovy.
- Brands
- Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus
- Manufacturer
- Novo Nordisk
- First brand approved
- 2017, Ozempic
- Best trial weight loss
- 14.9% (STEP 1)
- Lowest self-pay
- $149 per month, Wegovy
- FDA shortage
- Resolved February 21, 2025
Wegovy: key facts
Its half-life is about 1 week: after 7 d, half is gone, and about 3% remains after five half-lives (35 d).
STEP 1 showed 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks, compared with 2.4% on placebo.
Monthly prices in US dollars include list prices and self-pay offers, each taken from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, prnewswire.com 1 2.
Semaglutide brands compared
Each brand has the same ingredient, but its own label, uses and price.
| Brand | How it is taken | Approved for | First approved | List price | Self-pay from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ozempic | weekly injection | Type 2 diabetes, heart risk, and kidney disease with type 2 diabetes | 2017 | $1,027.51 per pen | $199 per month |
 Wegovy | weekly injection or daily tablet | Weight loss, heart risk and MASH liver disease | 2021 | $1,349.02 per month | $149 per month |
 Rybelsus | daily tablet | Type 2 diabetes and heart risk | 2019 | $1,027.51 per 30 tablets | Not listed |
What the Semaglutide trials showed
| Trial | Who took part | Length | Group | Average weight loss | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 68 weeks | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% |
| OASIS 4 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 64 weeks | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% |
| STEP 2 | Adults with obesity or overweight who also have type 2 diabetes | 68 weeks | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% |
| STEP-HFpEF | Adults with obesity who also have heart failure whose ejection fraction is preserved | 52 weeks | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 13.3% | 2.6% |
Semaglutide side effects
The labels covered different people and doses, so compare values within the same column first.
| Side effect | Ozempic | Wegovy | Rybelsus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 20.3% | 44% | 20% |
| Diarrhea | 8.8% | 30% | 10% |
| Vomiting | 9.2% | 24% | 8% |
| Constipation | 5% | 24% | 6% |
| Abdominal pain | 7.3% | 20% | 11% |
| Headache | Not listed | 14% | Not listed |
| Decreased appetite | Not listed | Not listed | 9% |
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed) 1 2 3.
- Semaglutide Side Effects by Frequency
- Semaglutide Nausea
- Semaglutide Headache
- Semaglutide Constipation
- Does Semaglutide Cause Cancer? Thyroid Warning vs the Human Data
- Semaglutide Sulfur Burps
- Semaglutide Fatigue
- Semaglutide Heartburn
- Semaglutide Vomiting
- Semaglutide Muscle Loss
- Semaglutide Dizziness
- Semaglutide Hair Loss
These warnings come from the FDA label (DailyMed).
Generic and compounded Semaglutide
The injection shortage ended on February 21, 2025. Older Rybelsus tablets are being discontinued.
Every Semaglutide page
Side effects and safety
- Does Semaglutide Cause Cancer? Thyroid Warning vs the Human Data
- Is Semaglutide Safe? Trial Risk Rates, Long-Term Data, Compounded
- Semaglutide Allergic Reaction
- Semaglutide Butt
- Semaglutide Constipation
- Semaglutide Dizziness
- Semaglutide Dry Mouth
- Semaglutide Fatigue
- Semaglutide Hair Loss
- Semaglutide Headache
- Semaglutide Heart
- Semaglutide Heartburn
- Semaglutide Muscle Loss
- Semaglutide Nausea
- Semaglutide Side Effects by Frequency
- Semaglutide Stomach Pain
- Semaglutide Sulfur Burps
- Semaglutide Vision
- Semaglutide Vomiting
- Took Too Much Semaglutide? Symptoms, What to Do, When to Call
Interactions
- Semaglutide and Adderall
- Semaglutide and Alcohol
- Semaglutide and Antidepressants
- Semaglutide and Birth Control
- Semaglutide and Coffee
- Semaglutide and Insulin
- Semaglutide and Januvia
- Semaglutide and Jardiance
- Semaglutide and Metformin
- Semaglutide and Painkillers
- Semaglutide and Probiotics
- Semaglutide and Wellbutrin
Who it is for
- Semaglutide and Pregnancy
- Semaglutide Before Surgery
- Semaglutide Eligibility
- Semaglutide for After Bariatric Surgery
- Semaglutide for Breastfeeding
- Semaglutide for Depression Patients
- Semaglutide for Insulin Resistance
- Semaglutide for PCOS
- Semaglutide for Prediabetes
- Semaglutide for Seniors
- Semaglutide for Teens
- Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes
- Semaglutide for Weight Loss
Compared with other drugs
Cost, savings and coverage
- Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Semaglutide? Criteria, Copay
- Does Medicaid Cover Semaglutide? Wegovy and Ozempic by State
- Does UnitedHealthcare Cover Semaglutide? Criteria, Copay, Appeals
- Semaglutide at Amazon Pharmacy
- Semaglutide Cost
- Semaglutide Cost Without Insurance
- Semaglutide Coupons
- Semaglutide Insurance Coverage
Getting a prescription
Living with it
- Protein on Semaglutide
- Semaglutide and Creatine
- Semaglutide and Exercise
- Semaglutide and Intermittent Fasting
- Semaglutide and Keto
- Semaglutide and Vitamins
- Semaglutide Before and After
- Semaglutide Diet
- Semaglutide Foods to Avoid and Why They Trigger Nausea
- Semaglutide Not Working? The Checklist, in Order
- Semaglutide on Reddit
- Semaglutide Results
- Semaglutide Reviews
- Stopping Semaglutide
Label information, news and Trials
- Compounded Semaglutide
- How Semaglutide Works (and How Fast)
- Injectable Semaglutide
- Is Semaglutide Insulin? No. What It Is and How It Differs
- Semaglutide + NAD+
- Semaglutide FDA Approvals and Warnings
- Semaglutide Lawsuit
- Semaglutide Prescribing Information
- Semaglutide Trials in Plain English
- Semaglutide Vials
- Semaglutide with B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Semaglutide with L Carnitine