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Ozempic for healthcare professionals
Clinical reference for Ozempic (semaglutide) — mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, indications, contraindications, key drug interactions, NDC codes, and FDA approval history.
This page is for clinical reference. Patient-friendly version →
Mechanism of action
Pharmacology class
GLP-1 receptor agonist
Semaglutide selectively binds the GLP-1 receptor with 94% homology to native human GLP-1, augmenting glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, suppressing inappropriate glucagon release, slowing gastric emptying, and reducing appetite via central pathways.
Pharmacokinetics
- Half-life
- ~7 days
- T-max
- 1–3 days
- Metabolism
- Proteolytic cleavage and fatty-acid beta-oxidation
- Excretion
- Renal and fecal
- Bioavailability
- 89% (subcutaneous)
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2
- Known hypersensitivity to semaglutide or excipients
Key drug interactions
Not exhaustive. See the FDA label for the full interaction list.
| Interacting drug | Severity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin | major | Hypoglycemia risk — reduce insulin dose. |
| Sulfonylureas | major | Additive hypoglycemia risk. |
| Oral medications | moderate | Delayed gastric emptying may reduce oral absorption rate. |
NDC codes & AWP
Representative NDC codes
- 0169-4132-12 (0.25/0.5 mg pen)
- 0169-4137-12 (1 mg pen)
- 0169-4772-12 (2 mg pen)
AWP per month (US, 2026 estimate)
~$1,029 AWP
FDA approval history
2017
Initial FDA approval for type 2 diabetes glycemic control.
2020
Supplemental approval for cardiovascular event risk reduction in T2D + CV disease.
2025
Supplemental approval for chronic kidney disease risk reduction in T2D (FLOW trial).
References
Sourcing Ozempic for your patients
Compare US telehealth and pharmacy partners that dispense Ozempic — useful when a patient asks about cash-pay options outside of their insurance formulary.
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