Semaglutide

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) used to treat type 2 diabetes by enhancing insulin secretion, reducing appetite, and promoting weight loss. It is administered as a subcutaneous injection once weekly and has shown significant efficacy in improving glycemic control and reducing body weight.

Semaglutide and Type 2 Diabetes: Efficacy, Safety, and Outcomes

Semaglutide offers a multifaceted approach to type 2 diabetes treatment, enhancing insulin release and reducing blood sugar through glucagon suppression.

What's Next for Semaglutide? Beyond Diabetes and Weight Loss

GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase hair loss risk

Use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity are associated with an increased risk of hair loss (alopecia) in adults with type 2 diabetes, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

22 Jul 2026

Generic semaglutide could improve diabetes treatment affordability in Canada

In a novel analysis examining the economic implications of generic semaglutide entering the Canadian market, researchers predict that the anticipated price reductions of up to 70% will dramatically increase both the cost-effectiveness and health system affordability of therapy options for patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiorenal risk.

22 Jul 2026

Newer GLP-1 medications may reduce alcohol-related hospitalization risk

Use of newer GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide or tirzepatide) for obesity or diabetes by people with alcohol-use disorder was associated with a reduction in alcohol-related admissions to hospital, finds a study published online in the open access journal BMJ Open.

21 Jul 2026

Semaglutide vs. liraglutide: Head-to-head study reveals a diabetes risk difference

Researchers compared semaglutide with liraglutide in 57,456 insured adults without recorded diabetes or cardiovascular disease who initiated formulations indicated for chronic weight management. Semaglutide users had a lower risk of incident diabetes, particularly beyond six months of follow-up, but limited cardiovascular events prevented a precise comparison of cardiovascular risk.

20 Jul 2026

Semaglutide fuels rapid growth in US GLP-1RA use as payments rise

Nationally representative US data show GLP-1RA use rose 230% among adults with diabetes and 643% among those without reported diabetes between 2017 and 2022, largely driven by semaglutide. Mean annual out-of-pocket payments decreased, but mean total annual payments per user increased, raising concerns about long-term affordability.

20 Jul 2026

Popular diabetes drugs do not alter the risk of developing a blinding eye condition

An estimated 27% of U.S. adults with diabetes are using glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) - a type of medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone - to lower blood sugar and support weight loss. Some research has suggested that their use can reduce the risk of developing other diseases.

17 Jul 2026

Compounded GLP-1 drug market remains strong despite shortage ending

Despite the end of federal shortages of popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications, the market for compounded alternatives remains strong – and some patients may unknowingly be receiving products from pharmacies with concerning regulatory histories, according to new research from the University of Colorado Anschutz.

17 Jul 2026

Study links expanding GLP-1 use with rising overall costs

As use of GLP-1s surged across the U.S., average total payments per user also climbed sharply, according to a new Northwestern University study that analyzed national trends in GLP-1 use and spending between 2017 and 2022.

16 Jul 2026

Weight loss drugs may reduce binge eating disorder symptoms

Drugs commonly used for weight loss, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been found to reduce the key symptoms of binge eating disorder, in a new review of evidence led by University College London (UCL) researchers.

15 Jul 2026

Semaglutide dose may matter more than weight loss for heart health

The study shows semaglutide's cardiovascular benefits are more closely tied to attained dose than weight loss, challenging existing treatment assumptions.

14 Jul 2026

Nearly one in 10 Britons use or want weight-loss medication

The prevalence of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management in Great Britain highlights public interest and concerns over safety and prescribing practices.

13 Jul 2026

GLP-1RAs linked to lower risk of amputation in diabetes with PAD

Research indicates GLP-1RAs may decrease limb complications in type 2 diabetes with PAD, though more randomized studies are required to confirm efficacy.

10 Jul 2026

GLP-1 exposure in pregnancy does not clearly raise major birth defect risk

A systematic review and meta-analysis of seven cohort studies involving more than 40,000 GLP-1 receptor agonist-exposed pregnancies found no statistically significant increase in major congenital malformations or several other adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, the evidence was low or very low certainty, and a urinary malformation signal based on unadjusted data requires cautious interpretation.

10 Jul 2026

Semaglutide outperforms other GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in psychiatric populations

A network meta-analysis of nine randomized controlled trials found that once-weekly semaglutide showed the largest estimated weight-loss effect among GLP-1 receptor agonists tested in adults with mental illness and obesity or related metabolic risk. The authors cautioned that the findings remain preliminary because the evidence base was small, heterogeneous, and largely indirect.

9 Jul 2026

GLP-1 drugs may reduce lung scarring from Long COVID in diabetic patients

GLP-1 agonists have become popular treatments for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, and newer studies suggest other health benefits as well.

9 Jul 2026

Medicare prescriptions for Wegovy spike after heart disease coverage expansion

Medicare prescriptions for Wegovy increased sharply after the program started covering the anti-obesity medication to prevent heart problems, but just a fraction of beneficiaries likely eligible received the treatment, according to new research from the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics.

9 Jul 2026

GLP-1 medications may improve long-term health for people with peripheral artery disease

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) medications were shown to reduce the number of deaths, amputations and hospitalizations among people with Type 2 diabetes who also had narrowed leg arteries associated with PAD (peripheral artery disease), according to new, independent research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

1 Jul 2026

Study links semaglutide and tirzepatide to fewer anxiety and depression diagnoses in obesity care

A US electronic health record study found that adults with obesity who started semaglutide or tirzepatide had lower recorded hazards of anxiety and depression than matched patients using naltrexone-bupropion. However, among adults without type 2 diabetes, tirzepatide was linked to higher recorded hazards of anxiety and insomnia than semaglutide, underscoring the need for cautious monitoring.

1 Jul 2026

Simple blood test could identify the most effective obesity drug

Fasting blood tests measuring GLP-1 and GIP levels may predict obesity treatment response to semaglutide and tirzepatide, enhancing personalized therapy.

29 Jun 2026

Single DNA injection provides long-lasting weight loss in mouse study

Scientists at The Wistar Institute have shown that a single injection of a small, circular piece of genetic instructions can produce weight loss and blood glucose control in murine models that lasts up to 10 times as long as incretin-mimicking drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

26 Jun 2026