Semaglutide is a newer type of injectable medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It was first approved for use in 2017 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the brand name Ozempic. Since then, semaglutide has quickly become one of the most widely used and effective medications for managing blood sugar in diabetes.
Some key points about how long semaglutide has been in use:
- Semaglutide first gained regulatory approval in 2017 - As mentioned, Ozempic was the first semaglutide product approved by the FDA in December 2017. Shortly after, in February 2018, the European Medicines Agency also authorized marketing for Ozempic.
- Additional semaglutide products have since been approved - After the success of Ozempic, other pharmaceutical companies developed their own semaglutide products. For example:
- Rybelsus - the first oral formulation of semaglutide, approved in 2019
- Wegovy - a higher-dose semaglutide injection specifically for chronic weight management, approved in 2021
- So in summary, semaglutide has been available and prescribed for around 5 years now since the initial approval of Ozempic in late 2017. In that relatively short time, it has already become one of the most popular injectable diabetes drugs.
Semaglutide works very effectively to lower blood sugar and A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Some of the main benefits seen in studies include:
- Reduces A1c by 1-2% on average
- Causes weight loss rather than weight gain
- Carries a low risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Provides sustained glucose control for a full week with once-weekly dosing
These advantages have made semaglutide a very appealing treatment option for many individuals struggling to manage their diabetes. Patient satisfaction and adherence to semaglutide products also tend to be higher compared to older drug classes like insulin.
At
Vital Hormones Clinic, our physicians specialize in advanced prescription treatments like semaglutide for diabetes and weight regulation. Our personalized plans aim to help patients achieve:
- Healthy, stable blood sugar levels
- Steady weight loss supported by medication
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Slowing/reversal of diabetes complications
We carry all
FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy for injection. We also offer the oral semaglutide pill Rybelsus. If interested, schedule a
free consultation today to ask us how semaglutide could fit into your diabetes/weight loss treatment plan!
In summary, semaglutide represents an important new class of medication for controlling blood sugar and reducing weight. As the first GLP-1 drug that can be taken as a pill or weekly shot, it offers a convenient yet potent treatment option. Since its initial approval in late 2017, semaglutide has rapidly grown to become one of the most widely used diabetes drugs. With its sustained track record of safety and efficacy over 5 years now, semaglutide seems poised to benefit many more patients in the future through continued research and prescription.