Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic® and Wegovy® seemingly exploded onto the scene in the past couple of years. But the drug has been around longer than that.
So, how long has semaglutide been around exactly?
The Journey of Semaglutide: From Diabetes Management to Weight Loss
Under the brand name Ozempic, semaglutide was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2017 to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. In 2021, it was FDA-approved under the brand name Wegovy to help those with overweight and obesity lose weight.
People have been using semaglutide since 2017 when it was first FDA-approved as a diabetes drug. It was later used as a weight loss drug and eventually received FDA approval for weight loss in 2021.
Key Milestones of Semaglutide
Ozempic: FDA-approved in December 2017 as a diabetes drug, it’s also prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Rybelsus: The tablet form of semaglutide was FDA-approved in September 2019 as a diabetes drug. It’s also often prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Wegovy: FDA-approved in June 2021, this is the only semaglutide drug approved for weight loss. In March 2024, Wegovy was also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in those with cardiovascular disease and either overweight or obesity.
The Rise in Popularity
Millions of people now use semaglutide and similar drugs. According to a 2023 report from Trilliant Health, prescriptions for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) medications — a class of drugs that includes semaglutide — increased by 300 percent from the start of 2020 to the end of 2022. Healthcare providers wrote a whopping 9 million prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs in the final three months of 2022, including semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Ozempic is the most prescribed drug of its kind.
The Fascinating History of Semaglutide
Believe it or not, semaglutide was inspired by lizard venom. A scientist and endocrinologist at the University of Toronto named Daniel Drucker discovered that the venom of the Gila monster contained hormones that could regulate blood glucose levels. Drucker began experimenting on the venom in 1995, and by 2005, a synthetic version of a hormone in the venom — a GLP-1 receptor agonist — was used to treat type 2 diabetes.
Development and Trials
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the makers of liraglutide, developed semaglutide as a long-acting type 2 diabetes drug. It was first tested on mice and, upon finding it effective, progressed to clinical trials. Although weight loss was never the aim, it emerged as a common side effect of semaglutide.
2017: Findings from the first clinical trials on semaglutide injections were published, focusing on people with type 2 diabetes.
2021: Findings from clinical trials on oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes and semaglutide injections for weight loss were published.
From here, similar diabetes and weight loss drugs have been developed, including tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro® and Zepbound®.
Different Forms of Semaglutide
Semaglutide is sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. They all work in a similar way, but they’re taken in different forms and are approved for different people.
Ozempic
Ozempic is a weekly subcutaneous injection approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. While it has never been approved for weight loss, it’s often prescribed off-label for this use.
Rybelsus
Rybelsus is an oral version of semaglutide taken as a tablet once a day, approved to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. Like Ozempic, Rybelsus is often prescribed off-label as a weight loss treatment.
Wegovy
Wegovy is a once-a-week semaglutide injection available at a higher dose than Ozempic. It’s approved for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or 27 or higher with at least one weight-related health condition. As of March 2024, Wegovy is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse events in those with cardiovascular disease and either overweight or obesity.
Compounded Semaglutide
Compounded drugs include the same active ingredient as other drugs. Although not FDA-approved, they can provide solutions for people with personalized medication needs. With the growing popularity of semaglutide drugs and resulting shortages, some licensed compounding pharmacies have begun producing compounded semaglutide.
Who Should Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide can help those with type 2 diabetes or those with overweight or obesity. For weight loss, it’s usually prescribed to people with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with at least one weight-related health condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes. Speak to a healthcare provider to find out if semaglutide is right for you.
Who Shouldn’t Take Semaglutide?
Semaglutide drugs come with a black box warning stating that they can cause thyroid C-cell tumors in rodents, but it’s unclear if the risk is there in humans. People with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine syndrome 2 shouldn’t take semaglutide. Additionally, those with a serious hypersensitivity reaction to the drug or a history of pancreatitis should avoid it.
Wrapping It Up
Today, semaglutide is a popular weight loss drug, but it’s been around longer than most of us think. Here’s a quick recap:
Ozempic: FDA-approved in 2017 as a diabetes medication, often prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Wegovy: FDA-approved in 2021 as a weight loss drug.
Weight Loss Use: Semaglutide has been used for weight loss in the form of Ozempic since 2017, officially approved for weight loss in 2021 under the brand name Wegovy.
Remember, lifestyle changes like eating nutritious foods, exercising, getting enough sleep, and staying hydrated can also support your weight loss efforts. Other medications like metformin might be helpful too.
Consider taking our free quiz to find the best weight loss treatments for you.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Prosper Health and Aesthetics in Sioux City, Iowa (51106) at 712-639-6304. Robbie Robinson, APRN, DNP, and our team are here to help you on your journey to better health and wellness.
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