COMPOUND

Compounds / GLP-1 agonists

Semaglutide (SC)

Semaglutide Subcutaneous (Ozempic / Wegovy)

GLP-1 agonists SubQ FDA approved

Second-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist. The blockbuster weight loss drug. Weekly injection with precise titration schedule.

At a glance

Half-life
~7 days ~7 days. Steady state reached after 4-5 weeks of weekly dosing. Tmax 1-3 days (24-72h) post-dose (FDA Ozempic label, §12.3 Pharmacokinetics).
Tmax
~48 h
Routes
SubQ
Evidence base
2 studies 2 human

Mechanism

Activates GLP-1 receptors: glucose-dependent insulin secretion, glucagon suppression, slowed gastric emptying, hypothalamic appetite center modulation. 94% homology to human GLP-1.

Dosing

Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 2 of 2 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.

Where a study reports an amount, it appears in that study's entry below, attributed to the source.

Published evidence

  1. Human RCT 2023

    Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes (SELECT)

    Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. N Engl J Med

    20% reduction in MACE events in 17,604 patients with obesity and CVD over ~40 months.

    PMID 37952131

  2. Human RCT 2021

    Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity (STEP 1)

    Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. N Engl J Med

    Mean 14.9% weight loss with semaglutide 2.4mg vs 2.4% placebo at 68 weeks.

    PMID 33567185

Reported side effects

Nausea
Very common Moderate · 43.9% at 2.4mg. Peaks during dose escalation, typically resolves. Median duration 8 days.
Diarrhea
Common Mild · 29.7%. Median duration 3 days.
Vomiting
Common Moderate · 24.5%. Median duration 2 days.
Constipation
Common Mild · 24.2%. Longest GI side effect: median 47 days.
Headache
Common Mild · ~14%
Lean mass loss
Common Moderate · 25-39% of weight lost may be lean mass. Trials of GLP-1 weight loss report less lean-mass loss where resistance training and higher protein intake (around 1.2-1.6 g/kg/day) were part of the protocol.

Interactions

  • Oral medications (general) Absorption interference

    GLP-1 agonists delay gastric emptying, which can alter absorption timing of co-administered oral medications.

Reconstitution and storage

Brand (Ozempic/Wegovy): pre-filled pens, no reconstitution needed. Compounded: vial + syringe, may require reconstitution.

Unused pens: refrigerate. In-use pens: room temp up to 56 days (Ozempic) or 28 days (Wegovy). Protect from light.

Open the reconstitution calculator for Semaglutide (SC)