semaglutide
noun
sem·a·glu·tide
ˌse-mə-ˈglü-ˌtīd
plural semaglutides
: a drug C187H291N45O59 that selectively binds to and activates cell receptors for glucagon-like peptide-1 acting to stimulate insulin secretion and decrease glucagon secretion and that is administered orally or by injection for the management of type 2 diabetes or for the promotion of weight loss in obese patients or in overweight patients with a comorbidity
GLP-1 medications like semaglutide have helped millions of people lose weight and improve metabolic health. Appetite decreases temporarily. Blood sugar stabilizes. Waistlines shrink. For many, it has been life-changing. For others, they have had to abandon treatment due to side effects.—Suzy Cohen
Oral semaglutide may be preferred by people who are averse to injections, since it can reduce anxiety or discomfort associated with self-injections. … However, it does require a higher dose to achieve similar effects to injectable semaglutide.—Paunel Vukasinov, quoted at HealthCentral (online)
Note: Semaglutide is marketed under the trademarks Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.
Cite this Entry
“Semaglutide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/semaglutide. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.
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