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Semaglutide (Rybelsus®)
Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors to increase insulin secretion, decrease glucagon release, and slow gastric emptying, thereby lowering blood glucose and promoting weight loss.
Semaglutide activates GLP-1 receptors to increase insulin secretion, decrease glucagon release, and slow gastric emptying, thereby lowering blood glucose and promoting weight loss. Used for Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities.
At a glance
| Generic name | Semaglutide (Rybelsus®) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | semaglutide |
| Sponsor | Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social |
| Drug class | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Target | GLP-1R (GLP-1 receptor) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Diabetes |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite. By binding to GLP-1 receptors on pancreatic beta cells, it stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon release. Additionally, it slows gastric emptying and acts on central appetite centers, reducing hunger and caloric intake.
Approved indications
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related comorbidities
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Headache
- Hypoglycemia (when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas)
Key clinical trials
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists to Decrease Ethanol and CVD Risk in HIV (PHASE2)
- Effects of Semaglutide on Clinical Outcomes and Metabolic Inflammation in Psoriasis (PHASE4)
- Effect of Glp-1 and Antidiabetic sgLT2 Agents for myoCardial infarcTion and Ultrasensitive Inflammatory Surveillance (GALACTUS Trial) (PHASE3)
- Epicardial Cardiac Fat-CT (EPIC-CT) (PHASE3)
- GLP-1Ra Impact on Metabolic Outcomes in Stage 2 T1DM While Receiving Teplizumab (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Regulatory Post Marketing Surveillance (rPMS) Study of Rybelsus (Oral Semaglutide) to Evaluate Safety and Effectiveness in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Routine Clinical Practice in Korea
- A Research Study Comparing RYBELSUS® to Other Blood Sugar Lowering Tablets in People Living in America With Type 2 Diabetes (REALYSE) (PHASE4)
- Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Cissus Quadrangularis and Dichrostachys Glomerata on GLP-1 Concentration and DPP-4 Activity in Overweight and Obese Adults (PHASE1, PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Semaglutide (Rybelsus®) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Semaglutide (Rybelsus®) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social portfolio CI