Longevity drugs · GLP-1
Semaglutide
GLP-1 agonist with hard-outcome RCT data: weight loss and reduced cardiovascular events.
Not medical advice — talk to a licensed clinician. Content is educational, reflects published literature, and is not a recommendation to start, stop or change any treatment.
What it is
A weekly injectable (or daily oral) GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for diabetes and chronic weight management.
How it works, in plain English
Mimics the gut hormone GLP-1: slows stomach emptying, reduces appetite and improves insulin release in response to food.
What the human evidence shows
STEP trials showed ~15% average weight loss. SELECT showed a 20% reduction in major cardiovascular events in people with obesity and established heart disease. Kidney and other outcome data are accumulating.
Regrowth grade A: Strong human RCT evidence.
Typical protocols in the literature
Labeled titration starts low and escalates monthly toward a maintenance dose to limit GI effects.
Described for education, not as dosing advice.
Side effects & interactions
Side effects
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Muscle loss with rapid weight loss
- Gallbladder issues
- Rare pancreatitis
Interactions
- Insulin / sulfonylureas (hypoglycemia)
- Delayed absorption of oral meds
Key studies
- STEP 1 trial
- SELECT cardiovascular outcomes trial
- FLOW kidney outcomes trial
Citations pending medical review