Is Semaglutide FDA Approved? Status & Timeline
Yes — Semaglutide is FDA approved. Here's what that means for access, prescribing, and insurance coverage.
Current Legal Status
FDA approved. Requires prescription. Widely available through physicians and telehealth.
Clinical Trial Results
Semaglutide has been studied in multiple clinical trials. Here's a summary of the key findings:
Semaglutide 2.4mg produced 14.9% mean weight loss vs 2.4% for placebo over 68 weeks.
Semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events (MACE) by 20% vs placebo in patients with established cardiovascular disease — a landmark finding leading to expanded use.
What Approval Means for You
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Semaglutide FDA approved?
Yes. Semaglutide has received FDA approval. FDA approved for T2D (Ozempic, 2017), obesity (Wegovy, 2021), CV risk reduction (2023), oral T2D (Rybelsus, 2019)
What phase are Semaglutide clinical trials in?
Phase 3 (STEP 1): Semaglutide 2.4mg produced 14.9% mean weight loss vs 2.4% for placebo over 68 weeks. Phase 3 (SELECT): Semaglutide reduced major cardiovascular events (MACE) by 20% vs placebo in patients with established cardiovascular disease — a landmark finding leading to expanded use.
When will Semaglutide be FDA approved?
Semaglutide is already FDA approved.
What happens to Semaglutide access after FDA approval?
FDA approval means Semaglutide can be legally prescribed by physicians, dispensed by licensed pharmacies, and eventually covered by insurance. It also unlocks the possibility of compounding pharmacy versions if supply shortages occur.
Can I use Semaglutide before it's for non-approved indications?
Yes — with a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Off-label use (for conditions not in the approved label) is legal under physician judgment.
References & Sources
- [1]Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021;384:989–1002.
- [2]Lincoff AM, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023;389:2221–2232.
- [3]FDA — Semaglutide (Wegovy) Approval and Drug Label
- [4]PubMed search: semaglutide obesity clinical trials
Exploring Retatrutide Access?
See how patients are accessing retatrutide through physician-supervised telehealth and compounding pharmacies.
Not FDA approved. Access requires physician oversight.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.