Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic)

Proven in people & FDA approved

A real, FDA-approved medicine. Wegovy helps some adults lose weight. Ozempic is for type 2 diabetes.

Pending medical review Updated October 16, 2026

What is it?

Semaglutide is a medicine made from a peptide. It is sold as Wegovy and Ozempic. You need a doctor’s prescription.

Why do people use it?

Doctors use Wegovy to help some adults with obesity lose weight and keep it off. It is used with a healthy diet and more exercise. Ozempic was first approved in 2017 to treat type 2 diabetes.

Does it really work?

This one is proven. The FDA approved Wegovy for weight management in adults on June 4, 2021, after studying it in people.

Is it safe? Side effects

  • Common side effects on the label include feeling sick (nausea), diarrhea, throwing up, constipation, belly pain, headache, and feeling tired.
  • In rats and mice, it caused thyroid tumors. Nobody knows yet if this happens in people.
  • The FDA got reports of people getting hurt from wrong doses of copy-made (compounded) semaglutide. Some had to go to the hospital.

Talk to your doctor

Do not start any peptide on your own. Ask a doctor first. We never share doses or tell you where to buy. Print our doctor questions sheet.

Check any peptide in 1 secondFree FDA Status Checker: approved, being tested, or not proven.

FAQ

What is Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic)?

Semaglutide is a medicine made from a peptide. It is sold as Wegovy and Ozempic. You need a doctor’s prescription.

Does Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) work?

This one is proven. The FDA approved Wegovy for weight management in adults on June 4, 2021, after studying it in people.

Is Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) legal in the US?

Yes. Wegovy and Ozempic are FDA-approved. (The FDA is the US agency that checks if medicines are safe and work.) Copy versions mixed by pharmacies, called "compounded," are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not check them for safety before they are sold.

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Sources

Not medical advice. Medical disclaimer.