Semaglutide

Yes — semaglutide is the active molecule. Ozempic is the brand for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is the brand for chronic weight management; Rybelsus is the oral form. Compounded semaglutide is the same molecule prepared by a 503A pharmacy.

Once-weekly subcutaneous injection, titrated from 0.25 mg upward over several months to a maintenance dose (commonly 1.7–2.4 mg/wk for weight management). Titration reduces nausea and other GI side effects.

Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, reflux, fatigue, and injection-site reactions. Most resolve within weeks. Rare but serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and (in animals) thyroid C-cell tumors.

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN-2, prior pancreatitis, active gallbladder disease, pregnancy, or severe gastroparesis. A clinician should review every case before prescribing.

In STEP-1, average loss was ~6% at 12 weeks and 14.9% at 68 weeks. Most people see clinically meaningful loss within 8–12 weeks of reaching their maintenance dose.