Semaglutide

What it does

A long-acting copy of GLP-1, a gut hormone released after eating. It slows stomach emptying and turns down appetite signalling in the brain, so you feel full sooner and stay full longer. Approved as Ozempic and Wegovy. What people look into it for: • Meaningful, sustained weight loss (often 10-15% of body weight in trials) • Quieting constant food thoughts and cravings • Type 2 diabetes and blood-sugar control • Cardiovascular risk reduction shown in large trials Doses are increased slowly because nausea, constipation and reflux are common early on. Losing muscle alongside fat is a real risk without protein and resistance training.

Mechanism

GLP-1 receptor agonist slowing gastric emptying and increasing satiety and insulin secretion.

Storage — lyophilised

Refrigerate 2-8C, protect from light.

Storage — reconstituted

Refrigerate 2-8C, use within ~28-56 days per label.

Reconstitution notes

Compounded vials vary; confirm mg strength before calculating concentration.

Commonly stacked with

• Cagrilintide

Commonly reported side effects

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Gallbladder issues

Contraindications noted

• Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• MEN2
• Pregnancy
• History of pancreatitis

Research notes

Titrate slowly; well documented in large randomised trials.