Prescription medication · GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
semaglutide
Also sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus. Ozempic is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 72,117
- FDA reportsOften reported
- 22
- Recall records
What the data shows
semaglutide (Ozempic) is a prescription GLP-1 Receptor Agonist, more reported than most tracked drugs (72,117 FDA reports).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
semaglutide (Ozempic) is a prescription GLP-1 Receptor Agonist. Ozempic is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Ozempic is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It can also lower the risk of heart problems in adults with both type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$311.86/unit
Generic Available
No
NOVO
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Ozempic is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Ozempic may cause thyroid C-cell tumors.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from semaglutide's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Ozempic is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by helping your body release insulin when your blood sugar is high. It also slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 72,117 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for semaglutide, by number of reports
- Nausea
Nausea
10,666 reports
- Vomiting
Vomiting
6,913 reports
- Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea
6,093 reports
- Decreased Appetite
Decreased Appetite
4,428 reports
- Constipation
Constipation
4,344 reports
- Weight Decreased 3,931
Weight Decreased
3,931 reports
- Fatigue 3,312
Fatigue
3,312 reports
- Headache 3,156
Headache
3,156 reports
- Blood Glucose Increased 2,752
Blood Glucose Increased
2,752 reports
- Abdominal Pain Upper 2,751
Abdominal Pain Upper
2,751 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for semaglutide each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where semaglutide sits
semaglutide has more FDA adverse-event reports than 81% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is semaglutide; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 72,117 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2013–2025.
Total Reports
72,117
Reports Mentioning Death
1,213
1.7% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
14,700
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NAUSEA | 10,666 |
| 2 | VOMITING | 6,913 |
| 4 | DIARRHOEA | 6,093 |
| 5 | DECREASED APPETITE | 4,428 |
| 6 | CONSTIPATION | 4,344 |
| 7 | WEIGHT DECREASED | 3,931 |
| 8 | FATIGUE | 3,312 |
| 9 | HEADACHE | 3,156 |
| 12 | BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED | 2,752 |
| 13 | ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER | 2,751 |
| 14 | IMPAIRED GASTRIC EMPTYING | 2,711 |
| 15 | DIZZINESS | 2,631 |
| 16 | INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION | 2,575 |
| 17 | WEIGHT INCREASED | 2,446 |
| 18 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 2,233 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Ozempic may cause thyroid C-cell tumors. Animal studies showed that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, caused thyroid tumors in rodents. It is not known if Ozempic causes thyroid tumors in humans. You should not take Ozempic if you or your family have a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your doctor if you notice a lump in your neck, have trouble swallowing, have trouble breathing, or have a hoarse voice that won't go away.
Common Questions
What should I do if I experience severe stomach pain?
Can Ozempic be used for weight loss?
What happens if my blood sugar gets too low?
Can I share my Ozempic pen with others?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can Ozempic cause allergic reactions?
Does Ozempic interact with other medications?
How often should I check my blood sugar?
What are the symptoms of thyroid tumors?
What should I do if I am planning to have surgery?
What are the common side effects of semaglutide?
What drug class is semaglutide?
What pregnancy or breastfeeding source fields are listed for semaglutide?
Has semaglutide been recalled?
Active Recalls
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
New Life Pharma LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
New Life Pharma LLC
CGMP Deviations This recall has been initiated due to failing to complete process validation and bacterial endotoxin method validation before distribution
Harbin Jixianglong Biotech Co., Ltd.
CGMP Deviations This recall has been initiated due to failing to complete process validation and bacterial endotoxin method validation before distribution
Harbin Jixianglong Biotech Co., Ltd.
Presence of Particulate Matter: Hair was found in a prefilled syringe
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Presence of Particulate Matter: Hair was found in a prefilled syringe
Novo Nordisk Inc.
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Processing Controls.
AEQUITA PHARMACY
Lack of Processing Controls.
AEQUITA PHARMACY
Lack of Processing Controls.
AEQUITA PHARMACY
Lack of Processing Controls.
AEQUITA PHARMACY
Subpotent Drug
Boothwyn Pharmacy LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
Thrive Health and Wellness, LLC, dba Thrive Health Solutions (Colorado)
Temperature abuse: Wegovy product was potentially exposed to temperatures outside of the products labeled storage conditions due to a shipping error involving a Cardinal Health distribution center. More specifically, product was removed from refrigerated storage for an extended period of time and inappropriately released.
Cardinal Health Inc.
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
ProRx LLC
Lack of assurance of sterility.
Pharmacy Plus, Inc. dba Vital Care Compounder
Lack of Assurance of Sterility
TMC Acquisition LLC dba Tailor Made Compounding
Related Medications in GLP-1 Receptor Agonist
Other drugs grouped near semaglutide - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acarbose
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Acarbose is a medicine that helps lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
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alogliptin
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bromocriptine
Cycloset
Bromocriptine (Cycloset) is a medicine that acts like dopamine in your body.
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canagliflozin
Invokana
Invokana is a medicine used with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Compare with semaglutide →
colesevelam
Welchol
Colesevelam is a medicine that helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C) and control blood sugar in adults.
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Compare beyond drug class
Nationwide peers by FAERS volume & death-report share
Two PlainMeds-derived comparison paths for semaglutide: nearest FDA FAERS report volume and nearest death-report share among drugs with at least 1,000 logged reports, excluding same-class neighbors listed above. Counts reflect reporting volume, not proven individual harm.
Similar FAERS report volume
Nearest drugs by total FAERS reports. This record: 72,117.
Similar death-report share
Nearest drugs by FAERS death-report share. This record: 1.68%.
- calcipotriene Δ 0.05 pts · 3,344 reports · Vitamin D Analog (Topical) 1.73%death share
- estradiol Δ 0.09 pts · 83,781 reports · Estrogen Hormone 1.77%death share
- lifitegrast Δ 0.11 pts · 15,783 reports · LFA-1 Antagonist (Ophthalmic) 1.79%death share
- isotretinoin Δ 0.17 pts · 47,513 reports · Systemic Retinoid 1.85%death share
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
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Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
FDA bioequivalence and label-record context for narrow therapeutic index medicines
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for semaglutide
The FDA label for semaglutide (sold under brand names such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist class. Ozempic is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 72,117 voluntary reports. Interaction data is drawn directly from FDA-approved prescribing information. NADAC pricing from CMS.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 22 recall records on file), and patent information are separate source-record fields. This page is a public FDA/CMS registry and does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. This registry does not provide medication decisions.
Last updated: November 22, 2023
PlainMeds is rendered directly from FDA openFDA/FAERS extracts, DailyMed labels, and CMS drug-pricing files, no number is typed in by an editor. FAERS counts, recalls, shortages, and price figures on this page are queried live from those federal extracts. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-05-15. Primary sources: openFDA / FAERS, DailyMed and CMS Part B ASP.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled from the source snapshot dated . See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a data issue.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages