What semaglutide does
Semaglutide is an altered copy of a hormone, a signal from the gut that helps control appetite and blood sugar.
It belongs to the group often called GLP-1 medicines, named for the gut hormone they copy.
Official medicine information on DailyMed ↗Which use is being discussed?
In September 2026, semaglutide (Wegovy) was approved for long-term weight care for adults who have obesity, or overweight plus a health condition related to weight.
Obesity is a medical category of higher body weight. Ask how your weight and health history compare with the uses described in the official medicine information.
Semaglutide (Ozempic) injection was approved for adults with type 2 diabetes, with added heart and kidney uses for certain patients, as of September 2026.
It was not approved specifically for weight loss as of September 2026.
Official information for Ozempic injections ↗As of September 2026, a doctor could prescribe an approved medicine for a use the FDA had not approved.
If that is proposed, ask why that use fits your health needs and what evidence supports it.
What does pharmacy-made mean?
Compounding means preparing or mixing a medicine for one patient in place of supplying the drug maker’s ready-made product.
In September 2026, pharmacy-compounded medicines had no FDA approval; before sale, the agency had not checked them for safety, quality or benefit.
The FDA explains compounding ↗A generic is a medicine that copies a brand-name drug and has FDA approval.
No generic semaglutide had received final approval from the FDA for US sale as of September 2026.
The FDA on claims about compounded products ↗