Semaglutide is a versatile medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, manage obesity, and address metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), functioning as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Developed by Novo Nordisk, it is sold under the brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, and is available as either a subcutaneous injection or an oral tablet. After initial approval in the United States in 2017, followed by Canada, the EU, Japan in 2018, and Australia in 2019, the FDA expanded its use in 2025 to reduce cardiovascular risks and treat liver fibrosis. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, but its popularity has soared, making it the 19th most prescribed medication in the US in 2023, with over 25 million prescriptions. Because it lowers heart attack risk and supports weight loss, it is listed on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines and is approved for adults and adolescents with obesity.