Semaglutide for Weight Loss: Does It Work?
Evidence-based review of Semaglutide's effectiveness for weight loss, including mechanism of action, dosage context, clinical data, and realistic expectations.
How Semaglutide Addresses Weight Loss
Semaglutide 2.4mg (Wegovy) is FDA approved for chronic weight management. In STEP-1, participants lost an average of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks vs 2.4% for placebo. Semaglutide works as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, reducing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing food reward signaling.
What Semaglutide Is Primarily Used For
- 1.Type 2 diabetes (Ozempic)
- 2.Weight loss/obesity (Wegovy)
- 3.Cardiovascular risk reduction (SELECT trial)
What the Research Shows
Below is a summary of clinical evidence for Semaglutide. Note that not all trials specifically study weight loss as an endpoint.
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.
Realistic Expectations
Dosage Context for Weight Loss
Typical range: 0.25–2.4 mg, Once weekly (injectable); once daily (Rybelsus oral)
For Wegovy: Start at 0.25mg weekly, titrate by 0.25mg every 4 weeks up to 2.4mg maintenance dose. For Ozempic: Max dose is 2mg. Oral Rybelsus dose is 3mg daily titrating to 14mg.
Doses for weight loss may vary from general guidelines. Consult a healthcare provider for condition-specific dosing.
Legal Status & Access
FDA approved. Requires prescription. Widely available through physicians and telehealth.