Semaglutide

What is Semaglutide?

• glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide for chronic weight management. It is a feasible option for chronic weight management, with data for up to 2 years. It is a once-weekly weight loss medication.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist recently for weight management in patients with a BMI of ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with more than one weight-related comorbidity.

GLP-1 is an incretin hormone with receptors present in several areas of the body, including pancreatic alpha and beta cells, the stomach, and the central nervous system. GLP-1 is a target for weight management as it slows gastric emptying and promotes satiety, which leads to a reduction in food intake. Additionally, GLP-1 crosses the blood-brain barrier where it activates areas of the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex and regulates feeding behavior.

References

Drucker DJ, Nauck MA. The incretin system: glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes. Lancet. 2006;368(9548):1696-1705. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69705-5.

Fornes A, Huff J, Pritchard RI, Godfrey M. Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Management: A Clinical Review. J Pharm Technol. 2022 Aug;38(4):239-246. doi: 10.1177/87551225221092681. Epub 2022 May 13. PMID: 35832567; PMCID: PMC9272494.

Neff LM, Kushner RF. Emerging role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in the treatment of obesity. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes Targets Ther. 2010;3:263-273. doi: 10.2147/dmsott.s6816.