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Medicine Semaglutide

An editorial reading room for the semaglutide literature — what the GLP-1 trials measured, how the appetite circuitry actually works, and where the evidence is settled versus still open.

Published papers you can check

Where are the papers behind the Semaglutide claims?

Each numbered entry names the paper supporting a study claim here. Follow a link to read about the people involved, the changes measured and the authors’ cautions.

Revisit the findings in peopleRead what this site provides

How does a numbered mark lead you to the study?

A claim’s numbered mark, such as [1], matches the same number in the list below. Each entry names a study or review and links to the published paper. The list includes human trials, tests in animals and reviews of safety findings. The papers describe what changed and in whom, beyond the explanation here.

The study authors aren't connected with this site, and their findings don't choose your treatment. A result for one tested group may apply differently to your own health. Your doctor can help weigh that difference when you discuss the evidence.

  1. Wilding JPH, et al. (STEP 1 Study Group). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. ↗
  2. Marso SP, et al. (SUSTAIN-6 Investigators). Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2016;375(19):1834-1844. ↗
  3. Lincoff AM, et al. (SELECT Trial Investigators). Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232. ↗
  4. Gabery S, et al. Semaglutide lowers body weight in rodents via distributed neural pathways. JCI Insight. 2020;5(6):e133429. ↗
  5. Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021;12:645563. ↗
  6. Perkovic V, et al. (FLOW Trial Committees and Investigators). Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2024;391(2):109-121. ↗
  7. Aronne LJ, et al. (SURMOUNT-5 Investigators). Tirzepatide as Compared with Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025;392(20):2014-2025. ↗
  8. Singh I, et al. Time and metabolic state-dependent effects of GLP-1R agonists on NPY/AgRP and POMC neuronal activity in vivo. Mol Metab. 2021;54:101352. ↗
  9. Secher A, et al. The arcuate nucleus mediates GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide-dependent weight loss. J Clin Invest. 2014;124(10):4473-4488. ↗
  10. Davies M, et al. (STEP 2 Study Group). Semaglutide 2.4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2). Lancet. 2021;397(10278):971-984. ↗
  11. Avgerinos I, et al. Efficacy, safety and cardiovascular outcomes of once-daily oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2020;22(3):335-345. ↗
  12. Pratley RE, et al. Semaglutide versus dulaglutide once weekly in patients with type 2 diabetes (SUSTAIN 7): a randomised, open-label, phase 3b trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2018;6(4):275-286. ↗
  13. Aroda VR, et al. Efficacy and safety of once-daily oral semaglutide 25 mg and 50 mg compared with 14 mg in adults with type 2 diabetes (PIONEER PLUS). Lancet. 2023;402(10403):693-704. ↗
  14. Kushner RF, et al. Semaglutide improves cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with overweight or obesity: STEP 1 and 4 exploratory analyses. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(3):527-536. ↗
  15. Spotlight on the Mechanism of Action of Semaglutide. Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2024;46(12):14514-14541. ↗
  16. Wharton S, et al. Gastrointestinal tolerability of once-weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(1):94-105. ↗
  17. Assessment of Thyroid Carcinogenic Risk and Safety Profile of GLP1-RA: A Review. Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(8):4346. ↗
  18. McCrimmon RJ, et al. Impact of Semaglutide on Body Composition in Adults With Overweight or Obesity. J Endocr Soc. 2021;5(Suppl 1):A16-A17. ↗
  19. Wilding JPH, et al. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022;24(8):1553-1564. ↗
  20. Rubino D, et al. Effect of Continued Weekly Subcutaneous Semaglutide vs Placebo on Weight Loss Maintenance in Adults With Overweight or Obesity (STEP 4): A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(14):1414-1425. ↗
  21. Alopecia associated with the use of semaglutide and tirzepatide: A disproportionality analysis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025. ↗
  22. Telogen Effluvium Associated With Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study. Ann Dermatol. 2024;36(6):348-355. ↗
  23. Mahapatra MK, Karuppasamy M, Sahoo BM. Semaglutide. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. ↗
  24. Aroda VR, et al. Current Understanding of Sodium N-(8-[2-Hydroxylbenzoyl] Amino) Caprylate (SNAC) as an Absorption Enhancer: The Oral Semaglutide Experience. Clin Diabetes. 2024;42(1):74-86. ↗
  25. Au Yeung SL, et al. Drug-Drug Interactions Between Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Oral Medications: A Systematic Review. Drug Saf. 2024;47(4):349-364. ↗