It seems like overnight, everyone suddenly started talking about semaglutide. You see it on the news and hear about it from your friends. It can feel like a brand-new invention that just appeared out of nowhere. But the truth is, this medication has a much longer and more interesting history than you might think. It is not a new medicine at all. So, how long has semaglutide been on the market? Let’s take a look at the simple timeline of this amazing medication.
The Journey Begins: From Lab to Diabetes Treatment
The semaglutide history starts many years before it became famous for weight loss. Scientists in laboratories worked for a very long time to create and test this new molecule to make sure it was safe and effective.
After many years of hard work and successful studies, the first big moment for semaglutide finally arrived. This is the real answer to the question, when was ozempic approved?
2017: Ozempic® Gets FDA Approval
In December of 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, gave its official approval. The FDA is the part of the government that makes sure all of our medicines are safe.
They approved the semaglutide injection under the brand name Ozempic®. At this time, it was approved for only one reason: to help adults who have Type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar.
2019: The Pill Form Arrives (Rybelsus®)
The science did not stop there. Just two years later, in September of 2019, the FDA approved the first-ever pill form of semaglutide. It is called Rybelsus®.
Just like Ozempic®, this new pill was also only approved to help people with Type 2 diabetes. It was another great new tool for these patients.
The “Happy Accident”: Discovering the Weight Loss Benefit
During all of the big scientific studies for diabetes, the doctors and the patients started to notice something amazing. It was a very consistent and very powerful side effect of the medicine. The people who were taking semaglutide to help their blood sugar were also losing weight.
This was a very happy accident! This discovery was so important that the company that makes the medicine decided to start brand-new studies. This time, they wanted to see how well semaglutide worked for weight management in people who did not have diabetes.
It is very important to work with a medical team that knows all of this science. Our expert medical team understands the science behind the treatment we provide.
The Second Big Moment: Approval for Weight Loss
This is the part of the story that you are probably most familiar with. After the new studies on weight management were finished, it was time for semaglutide to get its second big moment.
2021: Wegovy® Gets FDA Approval
In June of 2021, the FDA gave its official approval for a higher-dose version of the semaglutide injection to be used for weight loss. This is the official wegovy fda approval date.
This new version was given the brand name Wegovy®. It is the exact same medicine as Ozempic®, just in different doses. It was approved for adults who have obesity or who are overweight and also have a related health problem.
So, while the answer to how long has semaglutide been on the market is since 2017, it has only been an official weight-loss medication since 2021.
This shows that a health journey is a process. You can start your own health journey with a free medical consultation.
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The Final Answer on Semaglutide’s History
So, let’s bring it all together for a final, clear answer.
The question “how long has semaglutide been on the market” really has a two-part answer. It has been on the market and has been helping people with diabetes since 2017. It has been officially approved to help people with weight management since 2021.
This long history is a very good thing. It means that the safety of this medication has been studied for many, many years. It is not a brand-new medicine, but a trusted one with a long track record. This is a fact that can help you feel very safe and confident as you start your health journey.
If you have any more questions, our friendly team is always here to help. Please contact our friendly team to learn more.
Sources and Further Reading:
For readers who wish to learn more from official sources, we recommend the following resources. These are non-competing, authoritative links that provide additional information on the history of semaglutide.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Press Release on Ozempic (Semaglutide) Approval in 2017: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-type-2-diabetes
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Press Release on Wegovy (Semaglutide) Approval in 2021: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-new-drug-treatment-chronic-weight-management-first-2014
