Semaglutide feels like an overnight sensation, but the science behind it is actually decades old. If you're considering semaglutide for weight loss, it's fair to want to know: how long has this medication actually been around, and how much do we really know about it?
The short answer: the GLP-1 drug class has been studied in humans for more than 20 years, semaglutide itself has been FDA-approved since 2017, and the long-term safety data is some of the strongest we have for any weight loss medication.
Here's the full timeline.
The GLP-1 Story Starts in the 1990s
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) was identified in the early 1980s as a gut hormone that stimulates insulin release after meals. By the 1990s, researchers were exploring how to use GLP-1 pathways to treat type 2 diabetes. The challenge was that natural GLP-1 breaks down in the body within minutes — not useful as a medication.
2005: Exenatide (Byetta), the First GLP-1 Drug
The first GLP-1 receptor agonist approved by the FDA was exenatide, marketed as Byetta. It required twice-daily injections, but it proved the concept: activating the GLP-1 pathway lowered blood sugar and, in many patients, led to modest weight loss.
2010: Liraglutide (Victoza, Later Saxenda)
Liraglutide was approved in 2010 for diabetes and later, under the name Saxenda, for chronic weight management. It moved GLP-1 medications to once-daily dosing and cemented the connection between GLP-1 drugs and meaningful weight loss.
2017: Semaglutide Arrives
Semaglutide was approved by the FDA in 2017 under the brand name Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. The major advance was dosing — once weekly instead of daily — and significantly improved weight loss results at higher doses.
2021: Wegovy and Weight Loss Approval
In June 2021, the FDA approved semaglutide at a higher dose specifically for chronic weight management under the brand name Wegovy. This was the moment GLP-1 medications moved firmly into the weight loss mainstream.
2020 to Today: A Mountain of Data
Because semaglutide has been used in millions of patients for nearly a decade, we now have substantial long-term safety and efficacy data. The STEP trials for weight loss, the SUSTAIN trials for diabetes, and the SELECT trial for cardiovascular outcomes have all reinforced that semaglutide, used correctly, is both effective and well-tolerated for most patients.
So How New Is Semaglutide, Really?
The GLP-1 drug class is over 20 years old. Semaglutide itself has been on the market for almost a decade. It is one of the most studied weight loss medications ever created — far more thoroughly vetted than most diet pills and supplements that have come and gone over the past 30 years.
That doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Semaglutide still has side effects, contraindications, and a dosing curve that needs medical supervision. But if you've been worried that it's too new to trust, the data says otherwise.
How We Use Semaglutide at Prosper
At Prosper Health & Aesthetics in Sioux City, semaglutide is one of several tools we use for medical weight loss. Every patient gets a real consultation, appropriate labs, a personalized plan, and ongoing follow-up. Compounded semaglutide starts at $225 per month with transparent, direct-pay pricing. Compare options on our tirzepatide page if you're weighing both.
To learn more or book a consultation, visit our contact page or call 712-639-6304.