Semaglutide
01 Summary
A once-weekly GLP-1 agonist that turns down appetite and slows digestion. It is the long-standing benchmark for sustained fat loss, and the one most people have heard of.
02 How it works
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone released after you eat. It tells the brain you are full, slows how fast the stomach empties, and helps the pancreas release insulin only when blood sugar is high. A fatty-acid tail keeps it in circulation for about a week, which is why it is taken once weekly.
03 Common uses
04 Run profile
It is started at a low dose and stepped up every four weeks, so the stomach has time to adjust. Most people reach their maintenance level after roughly four months. Taken once a week, on the same day.
The profile shows the shape. Ask for the numbers for your vial, your goal and your timeline.
05 Pairs well with
06 What to watch for
Stomach effects are the big one — nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, cramping — worst in the week or two after each step up. Eating smaller meals, easing off fatty food and staying hydrated help. Severe stomach pain that goes through to the back needs urgent attention (a rare risk of pancreatitis), as do gallbladder symptoms. Not for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2.
07 Evidence & status
Approved (as Ozempic®/Wegovy®)One of the best-studied compounds on this site. In large trials (STEP), people lost around 15% of body weight on average over about 16 months.
FDA-approved as the brand medicines Ozempic® (type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy® (weight management). This page covers the compound itself.
08 FAQ
How quickly does it work?
Appetite usually drops within the first week or two. Weight loss is gradual — most of the effect builds over months as the dose steps up.
Why start so low?
The starting dose is about tolerance, not results. Climbing slowly is what keeps nausea manageable.
What happens if I stop?
Appetite tends to return, and studies show much of the weight can come back without lifestyle changes in place.
Educational information only — not medical advice. The Daily Stack does not sell or supply any products. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional about your own health decisions.