Semaglutide 0.25mg/0.19ml solution for injection 1.5ml pre-filled disposable devices
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Drugs used in diabetes
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
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Official medicine documents
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Semaglutide
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Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Semaglutide
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EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
3 branded products available
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Semaglutide on the MHRA register
Ozempic 0.25mg/0.19ml solution for injection 1.5ml pre-filled pens
Ozempic 0.25mg/0.19ml solution for injection 1.5ml pre-filled pens
Ozempic 0.25mg/0.19ml solution for injection 1.5ml pre-filled pens
This is the NHS Drug Tariff indicative price used for reimbursement purposes. It may not reflect the price paid by patients or pharmacies.
View full Drug TariffSource: NHS Drug Tariff via NHSBSA. Derived from dm+d VMPP (Virtual Medicinal Product Pack) pricing data. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
110 microgram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via NHS dm+d BNF mapping files. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Clinical guidelines and formulary information
British National Formulary
Semaglutide
Source: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
NICE clinical guidance(6)
Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity (TA875)
Semaglutide for managing overweight and obesity in young people aged 12 to 17 years (terminated appraisal) (TA910)
Type 2 diabetes in adults: management (NG28)
Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity (TA1026)
Setmelanotide for treating obesity and hyperphagia in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (HST31)
Tirzepatide for treating type 2 diabetes (TA924)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
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Supply & product information
Official product databases and supply status monitoring
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
168 h
Mechanism
Mechanism of glycemic control GLP-1 is a physiological hormone that promotes…
Food interactions
2 warnings
Human targets
1 target
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
56 h
[A31425][L8681]…
Half-life
168 h
[A31425]…
Protein binding
99%
[A31423]…
Volume of distribution
8L
[A31425][L8681]
Metabolism
83%
[A186092]…
Elimination
53%
[A186092]…
Clearance
0.039 L/h
[A31425]…
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
The subcutaneous injection is administered once weekly and the tablet is administered once a day. Semaglutide offers a competitive advantage over other drugs used to manage diabetes, which may require several daily doses. Clinical trials have determined that this drug reduces glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and reduces body weight, proving to be effective for patients with type 2 diabetes.[A186053] In June 2021, semaglutide was approved by the FDA for chronic weight management in adults with general obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related condition, marking semaglutide as the first approved drug for such use since 2014.[L34485] The use of semaglutide in weight management is also approved by Health Canada [L39347] and the EMA.[L41335]
On May 31, 2023, the FDA issued a warning regarding the use of compounded semaglutide after receiving adverse event reports. The use of salt forms of semaglutide, including semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate, has not been proven to be safe or effective.[L46726]
On August 15, 2025, the FDA granted Accelerated Approval for the treatment of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced fibrosis [L53901]
[L8678][L8681]
However, semaglutide is not a suitable first-line drug for diabetes that has not been controlled by diet and exercise. In addition, it has not been studied in patients with pancreatitis. Semaglutide is not intended for use in patients with type 1 diabetes or to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.
[L8678]
Semaglutide is indicated for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight with at least one weight-related condition (such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol)..
[L34475][L41335]
Semaglutide it is also indicated for chronic weight management in pediatric patients aged 12 years and older with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex.
[L44552]
Semaglutide is also used to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight.
[L50452]
It is additionally indicated to reduce the risk of sustained eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiovascular death in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.
[L52330]
Semaglutide is also indicated to reduce the risk of non-fatal myocardial infarction in adults with established cardiovascular disease and BMI equal to or greater than 27 kg/m². .
[L52445]
In August 2025, the FDA expanded its use by granting accelerated approval for semaglutide in the treatment of metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis [L53901]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 605 interactions
[L8693]
Appropriate supportive care should be given according and dictated by the patient's condition. Prolonged observation and treatment may be required, as the half-life of this drug is about one week.
[L8681]
There is no antidote to an overdose with semaglutide.
[L8693]
GLP-1 is a physiological hormone that promotes glycemic control via several different mechanisms, including insulin secretion, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing postprandial glucagon secretion. The homeostasis of glucose is dependent on hormones such as insulin and amylin, which are secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. Semaglutide is 94% similar to human GLP-1. Analogs of this hormone such as semaglutide stimulate the synthesis of insulin[A31424] by stimulating pancreatic islet cells and reducing glucagon secretion.[A31424] They directly bind with selectivity to the GLP-1 receptor, causing various beneficial downstream effects that reduce blood glucose in a glucose-dependent fashion.[L8681]
Mechanism of cardiovascular benefit and weight loss
In hypercholesterolemia, semaglutide is believed to reduce the progression of atherosclerosis via decreased gut permeability and decreased inflammation.[A186065] Weight loss is believed to occur via the reduction of appetite and food cravings after semaglutide administration. [A31423][A186074]
Semaglutide has been shown to cause medullary thyroid cell carcinoma in rodents. While its clinical relevance to humans is unknown, the FDA advises not to administer this drug in those with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. Semaglutide also poses a risk of pancreatitis and dehydration. Patients must be adequately hydrated while on semaglutide and are advised to seek medical attention immediately in cases of abdominal pain radiating to the back. Because this drug delays gastric emptying, it is important to monitor for the efficacy or adverse effects of other drugs that are administered orally.[L8681]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[A31425][L8681]
The absolute bioavailability is 89%.
[L8681]
Steady-state concentration of the oral tablet is achieved in 4-5 weeks.
[A186089]
Average steady state concentrations of semaglutide are the mean steady state concentrations after dosing at 0.5mg to 1mg range from 16 nmol/L to 30 nmol/L.
[L8693]
[A31425]
The long half-life is attributed to its albumin binding. This lowers the renal clearance and protects semaglutide from metabolic breakdown.
[L8678][L8681]
[A31423]
It is more than 99% bound to albumin.
[A186092][L1069][L8681]
[A31425][L8681]
[A186092]
Naturally occurring GLP‐1 is quickly metabolized by dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) and other enzymes, which is ubiquitous in human tissues. Chemical structure modifications render semaglutide less susceptible to enzymatic degradation by gastrointestinal DPP‐4 enzymes.
[A186092]
It is slowly and extensively metabolized, with about 83% of the administered dose measured in the plasma as unchanged drug. Neural endopeptidase (NEP) is another enzyme that metabolizes this drug.
DPP-4 inactivates semaglutide, truncating the N-terminal segment while NEP hydrolyzes peptide bondsSix different metabolites of semaglutide have been identified in human plasma. The major metabolite, named P3, accounts for about 7.7% of an ingested dose.
[A31425]
[A186092]
The main elimination route is the urine by corresponding to 53% of an ingested radiolabeled dose, with 18.6% found in the feces. A smaller amount of 3.2% was found to be exhaled.
[A31425]
Hepatic impairment does not appear to affect the clearance of this drug and dose adjustments are not required in patients with decreased liver function.
[A186092]
[A31425]
On the FDA label, semaglutide clearance is reported to be about 0.05 L/h in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
[L8681]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:19861722 PMID:26308095 PMID:27196125 PMID:28514449 PMID:7517895 PMID:8216285 PMID:8405712
Ligand binding triggers activation of a signaling cascade that leads to the activation of adenylyl cyclase and increased intracellular cAMP levels .
PMID:19861722 PMID:26308095 PMID:27196125 PMID:28514449 PMID:7517895 PMID:8216285 PMID:8405712
Plays a role in regulating insulin secretion in response to GLP-1 (By similarity)
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
Proteins that carry this drug through the body
PMID:19021548
Major calcium and magnesium transporter in plasma, binds approximately 45% of circulating calcium and magnesium in plasma (By similarity).
Potentially has more than two calcium-binding sites and might additionally bind calcium in a non-specific manner (By similarity). The shared binding site between zinc and calcium at residue Asp-273 suggests a crosstalk between zinc and calcium transport in the blood (By similarity). The rank order of affinity is zinc > calcium > magnesium (By similarity).
Binds to the bacterial siderophore enterobactin and inhibits enterobactin-mediated iron uptake of E.coli from ferric transferrin, and may thereby limit the utilization of iron and growth of enteric bacteria such as E.coli .
PMID:6234017
Does not prevent iron uptake by the bacterial siderophore aerobactin PMID:6234017
ATC A10BJ06
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Semaglutide
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
22925
ChemSpider
34985066
BindingDB
50121400
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:4324
GenAtlas
GLP1R
GeneCards
GLP1R
GenBank Gene Database
U01104
GenBank Protein Database
405082
Guide to Pharmacology
249
UniProt Accession
GLP1R_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:3009
GenAtlas
DPP4
GeneCards
DPP4
GenBank Gene Database
U13735
GenBank Protein Database
535388
Guide to Pharmacology
1612
UniProt Accession
DPP4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:7154
GenAtlas
MME
GeneCards
MME
GenBank Gene Database
X07166
GenBank Protein Database
34758
Guide to Pharmacology
1611
UniProt Accession
NEP_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:6677
GenAtlas
LPL
GeneCards
LPL
GenBank Gene Database
M15856
GenBank Protein Database
307138
UniProt Accession
LIPL_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:399
GenAtlas
ALB
GeneCards
ALB
GenBank Gene Database
V00494
GenBank Protein Database
28590
UniProt Accession
ALBU_HUMAN
Patent information
34 active patents, 11 expired
Source: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0. Patent data sourced from national patent offices. Expiry dates may not reflect extensions, regulatory exclusivity periods, or legal challenges.
DrugBank citations
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