What Semaglutide is
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that boosts insulin release after meals, slows stomach emptying, and reduces appetite. It is made by Novo Nordisk.
Unlike most peptides in this library, semaglutide has been through full FDA review. It is sold under different brand names for different approved uses, at different strengths.
Weekly injection. Type 2 diabetes, plus reducing heart and kidney risks in some adults with type 2 diabetes.
Daily tablet. Type 2 diabetes.
Weekly injection. Chronic weight management, heart risk reduction, and a form of fatty liver disease (MASH).
Daily tablet, approved December 2025. Weight management and heart risk reduction.
Regulatory status in 2026
Brand-name semaglutide is FDA-approved and prescription only. The gray area is everything else: compounded versions and vials sold as "research" semaglutide.
Ozempic approved for type 2 diabetes.
Wegovy approved for chronic weight management.
FDA declares the semaglutide shortage over. Pharmacies lose the shortage exception that let them make copies at scale.
Wegovy pill approved as the first oral GLP-1 for weight management.
Compounded semaglutide is limited to narrow, patient-specific cases. Semaglutide sold as "research use only" is not legal for human use, and FDA has warned about it.
Regulatory status can change. Check the sources linked at the bottom of this page before relying on anything here.
What's proven vs. what's claimed
Semaglutide's approved uses rest on large randomized trials. Some newer claims are still early.
Causes significant weight loss.
Shown in large randomized trials and the basis for Wegovy's approval.
Strong human evidenceLowers heart attack and stroke risk.
Shown in a large outcomes trial in adults with heart disease and excess weight. Approved for this use.
Strong human evidenceReduces cravings for alcohol and other substances.
Early studies are interesting but not conclusive. Not an approved use.
Insufficient dataCompounded or research semaglutide is the same as the brand.
Not evaluated by FDA. Some products contained different salt forms or impurities.
Insufficient dataStorage and stability
Pens and tablets come with specific storage rules on the label, and they differ by brand. These are the commonly cited limits for the US products. Your pen's label and pharmacist take priority.
Before first use
- Refrigerate pens at 36 to 46°F (2 to 8°C).
- Do not freeze. Don't use a pen that has been frozen.
- Keep the cap on and the pen in its carton to protect it from light.
After first use or out of the fridge
- Ozempic: after first use, can be kept at room temperature (59 to 86°F) or refrigerated for up to 56 days.
- Wegovy pen: if needed, can be kept between 46 and 86°F for up to 28 days before use.
- Tablets: keep in the original package to protect from moisture and light.
- Never store a pen with a needle attached.
Light exposure is easy to overlook in a fridge door that opens dozens of times a day. VIALTIGHT is building stackable cases that block light from every side. See vialtight.com for updates.
Out-of-fridge clock
An easy storage mistake with pens is losing track of how long one has been out. Pick your product and the date it came out of the fridge (or was first used) to see the last day it's good under the label limit.
Based on commonly cited US label limits. Check your product's label. VialTracker keeps start dates with each pen or vial so you don't have to remember.
Safety flags
Boxed warning: thyroid tumors. Semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents. It should not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN 2.
Other label warnings. Pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, kidney problems from dehydration, and low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
Dosing errors with compounded vials. FDA has received reports of people drawing the wrong amount from compounded vials, often by mixing up units and milliliters. Some needed hospital care.
"Research" semaglutide. Products sold online as research chemicals are unapproved and may not contain what the label says.
FAQ
Is Ozempic the same as Wegovy?
Same active ingredient, different approved uses and strengths. They are not interchangeable without a prescriber's direction.
Can I still get compounded semaglutide?
Only in narrow cases, such as a documented medical need the brand product can't meet. The broad shortage exception ended in 2025.
Does VialTracker tell me what dose to take?
No. Follow your prescriber and the label. VialTracker records what you were prescribed and when you took it.