Semaglutide is a long-acting injectable analogue of the GLP-1 hormone, the active ingredient of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy.
Effect on Hunger and Weight
The main action of semaglutide is powerful appetite suppression. It activates GLP-1 receptors in the brain's hunger and satiety centres: fullness comes sooner, food cravings and food-related thoughts fade, and portion sizes drop. At the same time it slows gastric emptying, so the feeling of fullness lasts longer after eating. Together this produces sustained, pronounced weight loss — in clinical trials reaching double-digit percentages of body weight and holding for as long as treatment continued.
Blood Sugar Control
Semaglutide boosts insulin release only when glucose is elevated and suppresses glucagon. It therefore lowers fasting glucose and HbA1c with a low risk of hypoglycaemia.
Duration of Action
A fatty-acid moiety on the molecule binds tightly to blood albumin, giving a half-life of about one week. This is why the drug is injected subcutaneously only once a week.
Properties
A 31-amino-acid peptide with 94% homology to human GLP-1. Formula C₁₈₇H₂₉₁N₄₅O₅₉, molecular weight ≈4113.6 Da. CAS 910463-68-2, PubChem CID 56843331. White lyophilized powder for reconstitution.
Storage
Store at 2–8°C protected from light; it briefly tolerates room temperature during shipping. After reconstitution keep refrigerated, do not freeze, and use within a few weeks.
BIOLABCHEMICALS