Semaglutide is a new favorite in diabetes treatment

Semaglutide is extremely popular. I have seen it in various groups. Everyone is discussing this drug enthusiastically. Some of my friends are also eager to try this drug and are very curious.

However, almost everyone faces the same question: Why is this medicine so difficult to buy?

Yes, semaglutide seems to be in a peculiar state of “hard to find a drug” at present. But to find out the reason, we may need to explore the characteristics of the drug itself and the effects it brings. So, let us take a deeper look at what semaglutide is and why it has become so popular in a short period of time?

1. From venom to innovation, developing semaglutide

Semaglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists. In the process of exploring GLP-1, an interesting thing happened:

GLP-1 in the human body is metabolized very quickly and is unstable, making it unsuitable as a basis for drug development. Just when scientists were at a loss, in the 1980s, John Pisano, a biochemist who studied venom, and Pierre Laufman, a gastroenterologist, discovered a molecule similar to GLP-1 in the venom of the Gila monster, named 

Exendin-4 . They worked with a startup company to successfully develop the first GLP-1-based drug, 

Byetta .

But after all, this drug is derived from venom, which is daunting and needs a more appropriate choice. Finally, after a long period of research, Novo Nordisk developed semaglutide based on the improvement of human GLP-1.

2. Semaglutide, a wide range of health benefits starting with blood sugar control

As a drug for treating diabetes, the core function of semaglutide is to comprehensively help diabetic patients stabilize their blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for diabetic patients in different conditions.

If your blood sugar level is high after a meal

It can control postprandial blood sugar from multiple perspectives. After we eat, semaglutide prolongs the time food stays in the stomach and slows down the speed at which food enters the small intestine, thereby delaying the rise in postprandial blood sugar. Then, when the body’s glucose level begins to rise, it promotes the secretion of insulin and inhibits the production of glucagon, effectively lowering blood sugar.

If your fasting blood sugar is high

In addition to postprandial blood sugar, semaglutide also has a good control effect on fasting blood sugar. Due to its long-acting nature, it can continue to act in the body. When elevated blood sugar is detected, it promotes more insulin secretion and helps lower fasting blood sugar levels [1].

If you suffer from hypoglycemia and cardiovascular disease risk

Semaglutide is unique in that it works only when blood sugar is elevated, which greatly reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. In addition, studies have shown that it has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system and can effectively prevent serious cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction or stroke and their associated mortality.

Higher body weight may provide additional benefits for diabetics

Early patients who used exenatide found that their weight began to decrease. The reason was unknown at the time, but it was later discovered that exenatide can affect the GLP-1 receptor in the brain to suppress appetite, delay gastric emptying and increase satiety. The patient’s appetite is controlled and food intake is naturally reduced, which helps with weight management [1,2].

Semaglutide also has a significant effect in this regard. Studies have found that after using high-dose semaglutide, patients’ weight decreased by an average of 9.9% within two weeks[2].

Through these effects, semaglutide not only shows strong efficacy in blood sugar control, but also improves the quality of life of diabetic patients by assisting weight management. Its emergence has undoubtedly brought a more reliable treatment option to the field of diabetes treatment.

3. Market popularity of semaglutide and reliable purchasing guide

Due to its excellent therapeutic effect, semaglutide has attracted great attention worldwide. The development of self-media has also accelerated the spread of semaglutide. Many people have shared their positive experiences after using it on self-media, which has further promoted the growth of its market demand.

However, compared with the growing demand, the supply of semaglutide is relatively insufficient, which leads to the phenomenon of “drug scarcity” in the market.

According to media reports, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued two shortage warnings for semaglutide in October 2022 and March 2023; similarly, the FDA also issued a shortage announcement for semaglutide in March 2023. In 2024, Novo Nordisk has expanded production, but some dosage forms are still in short supply.

Although the demand is strong, we still need to be cautious about semaglutide as a prescription drug. It is strongly recommend to use it under the guidance of a doctor. In addition to buying it in hospitals, you can also choose a reliable platform to buy it online. But be sure to distinguish the authenticity.

In general, although the market demand for semaglutide is high, consumers can still obtain semaglutide relatively easily by choosing the right purchasing channels. Finally, it is important to emphasize that although semaglutide has brought many positive changes, the use of any drug should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. I hope that every reader can enjoy a healthy and energetic life while using drugs rationally.

This article is just for popular science purposes. Please consult a doctor for specific medications. Prescription drugs require a doctor’s prescription and should be purchased based on the doctor’s diagnosis.