Semaglutide (Subcutaneous)
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 13, 2022.
Warning: Risk of Thyroid C-Cell TumorsIn rodents, semaglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether semaglutide causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.Semaglutide is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of semaglutide and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (eg, a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with semaglutide .
Commonly used brand name(s)
In the U.S.
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Antidiabetic
Pharmacologic Class: Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist
Uses for semaglutide
Semaglutide injection is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is used together with diet and exercise to help control your blood sugar. Semaglutide is also used to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart or blood vessel disease. Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.
Semaglutide is also used together with diet and exercise to help lose weight and keep the weight off in patients with obesity caused by certain conditions.
Semaglutide is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using semaglutide
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For semaglutide, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to semaglutide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of semaglutide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of semaglutide injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of semaglutide than younger adults.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In t..
