Semaglutide is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Here are some key details about semaglutide:
- Approvals and Indications:
- Type 2 Diabetes: Initially approved in the U.S. in 2017 at doses up to 1.0 mg once weekly, and later in 2022 at 2.0 mg once weekly for treating type 2 diabetes.
- Chronic Weight Management: Approved in 2021 for chronic weight management in adults at doses up to 2.4 mg once weekly. This is for patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) or overweight (BMI ≥ 27 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbidity. It was also approved for adolescents in 2022.
- Dosing:
- For Type 2 Diabetes: Up to 1.0 mg or 2.0 mg once weekly.
- For Weight Management: Up to 2.4 mg once weekly.
- Mechanism of Action:
- Semaglutide is a synthetic analog of GLP-1 with a drug half-life of about one week. It works by enhancing the body’s natural response to GLP-1, which includes lowering blood glucose levels, reducing appetite, and promoting weight loss.
- Effectiveness:
- For diabetes, it can lower HbA1c levels by about 0.4–0.6%.
- For weight management, it can lead to weight loss ranging from 2 to 6 pounds.
- Safety and Tolerability:
- As with other GLP-1 receptor agonists, semaglutide may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal issues (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
- It is important to monitor for potential antibody formation, which may affect its efficacy in some patients.
- Additional Information:
- Semaglutide has been studied in various clinical trials, including the STEP (Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People with Obesity) trials, demonstrating its efficacy in weight management.