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Semaglutide Pharmacokinetics

Semaglutide half-life, absorption, routes of administration, and clearance.

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Compiled from published research · 1 min read · 13 references · Last updated August 18, 2026

The 7-Day Half-Life: Engineering Once-Weekly GLP-1 Dosing

Semaglutide's pharmacokinetic profile is the product of deliberate molecular engineering. By optimizing albumin binding affinity through fatty acid acylation, Novo Nordisk achieved a half-life long enough for once-weekly dosing while maintaining full GLP-1 receptor agonist activity, a breakthrough that fundamentally changed the GLP-1 agonist therapeutic landscape.

Physicochemical and PK profile

Molecular Formula
C187H291N45O59
Molecular Weight
4113.58 g/mol
CAS Number
910463-68-2
Half-Life
Approximately 7 days (168 hours)
Sequence
His-Aib-Glu-Gly-Thr-Phe-Thr-Ser-Asp-Val-Ser-Ser-Tyr-Leu-Glu-Gly-Gln-Ala-Ala-Lys(γGlu-γGlu-C18 diacid)-Glu-Phe-Ile-Ala-Trp-Leu-Val-Arg-Gly-Arg-Gly
Solubility
Soluble in water with appropriate pH adjustment
Storage
Store at 2-8°C (refrigerated). In-use pens may be stored at room temperature up to 56 days.

References

  1. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesitypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Wilding JPH, et al. · 2021
  2. FDA Approval Announcement for Wegovy (2021).fda.gov · 2021
  3. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM et al. · 2023
  4. Semaglutide, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist with ... - NIHpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Mahapatra MK, Karuppasamy M, Sahoo BM · 2022
  5. Semaglutide Mechanism of Action Review. PMC.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A · 2022
  6. Oral Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in High-Risk Type 2 Diabetes.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · McGuire DK, Marx N, Mulvagh SL et al. · 2025
  7. Semaglutide | C187H291N45O59 | CID 56843331 - PubChem - NIHpubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  8. Central Nervous System Effects of GLP-1 Agonists. Nature Medicine.nature.com
  9. Effects of oral semaglutide on cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes and established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and/or chronic kidney disease: Design and baseline characteristics of SOUL, a randomized trial.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · McGuire DK, Busui RP, Deanfield J et al. · 2023
  10. Semaglutide - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelfncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  11. Wilding JPH, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). NEJM. 2021.nejm.org · Wilding JP, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MT, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF · 2021
  12. Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Perkovic V, Tuttle KR, Rossing P et al. · 2024
  13. Molecular mechanisms of semaglutide and liraglutide as a ...pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov · Tamayo-Trujillo R, Ruiz-Pozo VA, Cadena-Ullauri S, Guevara-Ramírez P, Paz-Cruz E, Zambrano-Villacres R, Simancas-Racines D, Zambrano AK · 2024
All Semaglutide sections

Retatrutide

A-grade

An investigational triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist producing some of the largest average weight reductions reported for a single agent.

Max Fat LossAppetite

Exenatide

S-grade

The first-in-class GLP-1 receptor agonist, derived from a peptide found in Gila monster saliva, sold as Byetta and Bydureon.

Glycemic ControlFDA-approved

Liraglutide

S-grade

A once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist, the class predecessor to semaglutide and tirzepatide, still widely prescribed under Victoza and Saxenda.

Weight LossFDA-approved

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