Semaglutide
Active ingredient in Ozempic/Wegovy. Mimics GLP-1 to signal fullness and slow gastric emptying. STEP trials showed 14.9% weight loss at 68 weeks.
Key Facts
- ClassificationSemaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with Aib at position 8 for DPP-4 resistance and a C-18 fatty diacid chain enabling albumin binding (~7-day half-life).
- Primary BenefitsFat Loss (10/10) · Longevity (5/10) · Gut Health (4/10)
- AdministrationInjection, Oral
- Typical DoseStart at 0.25 mg per week subq and gradually increase to 1-2.4 mg per week over several months. An FDA-approved oral formulation (Rybelsus) is also available at 3-14 mg daily. Meant for long-term use.
- Evidence StrengthStrong — 21 peer-reviewed studies referenced · Community sentiment 10/10
- Stacks Well With5-Amino-1MQ, BPC-157, MOTS-c
- Legal StatusFDA-Approved · prescription required · WADA prohibited
Quick Facts
- From price
- $85
- Type
- peptide
- Administration
- Injection, Oral
- Evidence
- strong
- Studies referenced
- 21
- Community sentiment
- 10/10
- Stacks with
- 3 peptides
- Regulatory
- FDA-Approved
Top benefits
Week 1–2
Reduced appetite noticeable within days. Possible nausea as body adjusts. Early satiety at meals. Start at low dose to minimize GI side effects.
Week 3–6
Significant appetite suppression. Weight loss of 3-5% body weight. Reduced food noise and cravings. GI side effects typically improving as dose stabilizes.
Week 8+
Continued steady weight loss (5-8% at this stage, building to ~15% over 12-18 months in clinical trials). Improved metabolic markers — HbA1c, triglycerides, blood pressure. Reduced cardiovascular risk markers.
Common Side Effects
Scientific Overview
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with Aib at position 8 for DPP-4 resistance and a C-18 fatty diacid chain enabling albumin binding (~7-day half-life). Enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, delays gastric emptying, and reduces appetite via hypothalamic GLP-1 receptors. STEP 1 showed 14.9% weight reduction at 68 weeks.
Dosing
Start at 0.25 mg per week subq and gradually increase to 1-2.4 mg per week over several months. An FDA-approved oral formulation (Rybelsus) is also available at 3-14 mg daily. Meant for long-term use.
Reconstitution, storage, injection sites & timing
Benefit Profile
| Vendor | Variant | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limitless Biotech | 3mg | $94.99 | Code: PSTACK10Buy |
| Skye Peptides | 3mg | $84.99BEST | |
| Swiss Chems ⚠ FDA warning letter received late 2024 | 3mg | $99.95 | |
| Amino Asylum ⚠ Reported federal raid in 2025 | 3mg | $89.99 |
Stacks Well With
5-Amino-1MQ
Small molecule blocking NNMT, an enzyme that slows metabolism. Increases NAD+ production and energy expenditure. Promotes fat loss and may fix metabolic issues.
BPC-157
A healing compound from human gastric juice. The most extensively studied repair peptide in animal models, with strong preclinical data for tissue repair, gut restoration, and anti-inflammatory effects. Human clinical data remains limited.
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial DNA-encoded peptide that activates AMPK, improving insulin sensitivity, fat burning, and mimicking exercise at the cellular level. Stacks well with SS-31 and NAD+.
Compare
Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are both FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes and weight management, making them the most evidence-backed peptides available. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist -- a key distinction that affects their efficacy profiles.
AOD-9604 vs SemaglutideAOD-9604 and Semaglutide are both studied for fat loss, but they exist on completely different tiers of clinical evidence. Semaglutide is FDA-approved with extensive phase III data, while AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of growth hormone that failed to achieve regulatory approval for obesity despite early promise.
Semaglutide vs Retatrutide: Dual vs Triple Agonist Weight LossSemaglutide and Retatrutide represent two different generations of incretin-based weight loss therapies. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist with extensive clinical data and FDA approval, while Retatrutide is a novel triple agonist targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors simultaneously. The addition of glucagon receptor activation distinguishes Retatrutide from all currently approved therapies and introduces a thermogenic component that may drive greater fat loss -- but it remains in clinical trials.
Semaglutide vs Tesofensine: Weight Loss ComparisonSemaglutide and Tesofensine represent two fundamentally different pharmacological approaches to weight loss. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that reduces appetite through gut-brain hormonal signaling -- it is FDA-approved and backed by extensive Phase III clinical data. Tesofensine is a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) that suppresses appetite through central nervous system stimulation. Tesofensine reached Phase II trials with impressive weight loss results but has not advanced to Phase III approval due to cardiovascular safety concerns. This comparison examines the evidence, safety profiles, and practical considerations for each.
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Retatrutide10/10Triple-action weight loss drug hitting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors.
CagriSema10/10Next-gen dual semaglutide + amylin analog with strongest weight loss data.
Survodutide9/10Dual GLP-1/glucagon weight loss peptide from Boehringer Ingelheim.
Mazdutide9/10Dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor drug with strong weight loss results.
Orforglipron9/10First oral non-peptide GLP-1 agonist in late-stage trials.