Semaglutide
Overview
A long-acting GLP-1 analogue extensively characterized in glucose-lowering and weight-loss literature. Albumin binding via the fatty-acid moiety extends plasma half-life to roughly one week.
Research profile · for clinicians
Based on research: characterized primarily as a metabolic and weight-management agent. Studied for glucose control in type 2 diabetes and for sustained body-weight reduction through appetite regulation and slowed gastric emptying, with a growing cardiovascular-outcomes evidence base in overweight and obese cohorts.
Mechanism of action
Selective agonism of the GLP-1 receptor enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon, slows gastric emptying, and acts on hypothalamic satiety circuits.
Research record
- [01]SUSTAIN trial program — glycemic outcomes in type 2 diabetes literature.
- [02]STEP trial program — body-weight reduction in obesity research.
- [03]SELECT trial — cardiovascular outcomes in overweight cohorts (2023).
Selected references
Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes
NEJM, 2023
Pharmacokinetics of semaglutide
Clin. Pharmacokinet., 2019