Metabolic
Semaglutide
Ozempic · Wegovy · Rybelsus
The licensed weight-loss and diabetes drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy. It slows digestion and dulls appetite, so people eat less without the usual hunger fighting back. Available on the NHS for some, and privately for most.
— reduces appetite and slows digestion, licensed for weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
How well studied
Tier Guide: A = Well studied, B = Some good studies, C = Early evidence & D = Barely studied
Backed by large human trials — we have solid data on how it works and what it does.
How it works
Copies a hormone your gut already makes after eating, telling your brain you're full and slowing down how fast your stomach empties.
Mimics a natural gut () that signals fullness to the brain and slows stomach emptying.
Reported benefits
- Significant appetite suppression and weight loss
- Improves blood glucose control
- Reduces cardiovascular risk markers in trials
Who it's typically used for
Timeline to results
Dosage
Titrated from 0.25mg to 2.4mg weekly (Wegovy) per MHRA label, under prescriber supervision
Side effects
- Nauseacommon, especially during dose escalation
- Diarrhoea/constipationcommon
- Vomitingless common
- Gallbladder issuesrare
Getting it in the UK
A doctor can prescribe this the normal way, like anything from a pharmacy — officially checked and approved for this use.
MHRA: the UK government body that checks a medicine is safe and actually works before doctors are allowed to prescribe it.
Content freshness
- Last reviewed
- 11 Aug 2026
- Regulatory status last checked
- 11 Aug 2026