Semaglutide

Generic: Oral Semaglutide

Rx only

GLP-1 receptor agonistAlso: OZEMPIC, RYBELSUS✓ FDA-verified

Semaglutide is a medication used to help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of serious heart problems. It works by helping your body release more insulin when blood sugar is high and slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which helps control blood sugar levels. You take it as a tablet once a day on an empty stomach, starting with a dose of 3 mg for the first month, then increasing to 7 mg or 14 mg depending on your needs, with a maximum dose of 14 mg. It's important to know that this medication should not be used if you have a personal or family history of certain thyroid tumors. Additionally, if you're taking insulin or medications that increase insulin levels, you may experience low blood sugar, so it's essential to monitor your levels closely.

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Uses

Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Reduce risk of major cardiovascular events.

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Dosage

RYBELSUS: Start with 3 mg once daily for 30 days, then increase to 7 mg.

OZEMPIC: Start with 1.5 mg once daily for 30 days, then increase to 4 mg.

Take tablets in the morning on an empty stomach with water.

Wait at least 30 minutes before eating or taking other medications.

Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.

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Side effects

Common

nauseaabdominal paindiarrheadecreased appetitevomitingconstipationrisk of thyroid tumors

Serious

acute pancreatitisdiabetic retinopathy complicationssevere gastrointestinal reactions

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Warnings

⚠ Important warnings

Risk of thyroid C-cell tumors; contraindicated in patients with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used with insulin or insulin secretagogues.
Monitor for acute pancreatitis and severe gastrointestinal reactions.

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Drug interactions

Insulin secretagoguesincreased risk of hypoglycemiaMonitor
Levothyroxineincreased exposure by 33%.Caution

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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.

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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).