Semaglutide is a synthetic 31-amino-acid polypeptide analog of the endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), belonging to the class of drugs labeled glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).
Within this category, semaglutide is the only drug to hold FDA approval in both oral and injectable formulations. An approved antidiabetic treatment due to its hypoglycemic effects, it is of further clinical interest as an appetite suppressant and weight loss agent, indicated for chronic weight management in non-diabetic obese and overweight patients. It has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes.