DRUG OF THE DAY
semaglutide
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist
Before opening the card, recall one use, one safety check and one counseling point.
Reveal the drug learning card
Names and formulations
- Ozempic: once-weekly injection for labeled type 2 diabetes and risk-reduction indications
- Rybelsus: oral semaglutide with product-specific fasting administration
- Wegovy: weight-management and cardiovascular-risk indications; presentation-specific directions
Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy are not interchangeable dosage forms; strength, titration, missed-dose instructions, and indications differ, and semaglutide products should not be combined.
Common use
Product-specific treatment of type 2 diabetes or chronic weight management, with additional labeled cardiovascular or kidney risk-reduction indications in defined populations.
Mechanism of action
Activates GLP-1 receptors, increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion, reducing glucagon, slowing gastric emptying, and decreasing appetite and calorie intake.
Important adverse effects and monitoring
- Boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors occurred in rodents; contraindicated with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2.
- Monitor for pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe GI reactions, dehydration-related kidney injury, and diabetic retinopathy complications in at-risk patients.
- Hypoglycemia risk rises when combined with insulin or an insulin secretagogue.
Patient counseling
- Follow the exact titration and missed-dose directions for the dispensed product; never improvise a conversion between oral and injectable products.
- Tell the procedural or anesthesia team because delayed gastric emptying may affect aspiration-risk planning.
Interaction to recognize
With: oral medicines and insulin or sulfonylureas
Why it matters: Delayed gastric emptying may affect absorption of oral drugs, while insulin or secretagogues increase hypoglycemia risk.
Practical response: Review time-sensitive oral medicines and consider glucose-lowering dose adjustments and closer monitoring.
Check the original sources
- DailyMed — Ozempic prescribing information
Sections: Boxed Warning; 1 Indications and Usage; 2 Dosage and Administration; 5 Warnings and Precautions; 7 Drug Interactions; 12.1 Mechanism of Action; 17 Patient Counseling Information. Source checked 2026-09-13.
- DailyMed — Rybelsus oral semaglutide prescribing information
Sections: 1 Indications and Usage; 2 Dosage and Administration; 5 Warnings and Precautions; 7 Drug Interactions. Source checked 2026-09-13.
- DailyMed — Wegovy prescribing information
Sections: 1 Indications and Usage; 2 Dosage and Administration; 5 Warnings and Precautions; 7 Drug Interactions. Source checked 2026-09-13.
Selected learning points; verify current labeling for the complete prescribing information.