Semaglutide 2 mg vial GLP1 (Sema G)

Semaglutide 2 mg - characteristics, mechanism of action, dosage

Semaglutide 2 mg is GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, which belongs to the incretin group of drugs. It was developed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Its structure is 94% homologous to human GLP-1, but contains modifications that increase resistance to the DPP-4 enzyme and extend the half-life to approx. 7 days, which enables administration once a week.

Mechanism of action semaglutide 2 mg

Semaglutide 2 mg activates GLP-1 receptors present in the pancreas, brain and gastrointestinal tract.
Causes:

• Increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion,

• Inhibition of glucagon secretion,

• Slowing down gastric emptying,

• anorexigenic effect (reducing appetite by affecting the satiety center in the hypothalamus).

With these effects, the drug lowers glycemia and promotes weight loss.

Semaglutide 2 mg vs. clinical weight loss benefits

In a clinical trial series STEP semaglutide has been shown to cause significant weight loss:

• In people without diabetes - reduction by 14-17% body weight after 68 weeks,

• In people with type 2 diabetes - reduction by 5-9%.

In addition, improvements in glycemia, lipid profile and blood pressure were observed.

Semaglutide differs from newer drugs such as Tirzepatide (GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist) and retatrutide (GLP-1/GIP/glucagon agonist), which have a broader spectrum of metabolic effects, but semaglutide remains one of the best studied and most effective GLP-1 agonists available clinically.

Dosage

Semaglutide 2 mg is administered subcutaneously once a week (abdomen, thigh or shoulder).
Titration scheme (for Ozempic):

• 0.25 mg for 4 weeks → 0.5 mg → 1 mg → 2 mg weekly (maximum dose).
  For the treatment of obesity (Wegovy), the target dose is 2.4 mg per week.

Summary

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist with proven efficacy in reducing body weight and improving glycemic control. It works by increasing insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon and affecting the satiety center in the brain. Unlike new molecules such as tirzepatyd and retatrutide, semaglutide acts exclusively on the GLP-1 receptor, but remains gold standard in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes due to its well-studied efficacy and safety profile.

Sources: Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity