GLP-1 receptor agonist
Semaglutide half-life
Last reviewed 2026-11-08 · Sources cited for every value
Semaglutide
FDA-approved as Ozempic (injection and tablets) and Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, and as Wegovy (injection and tablets) for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction.
Reported half-life: 1 week.
Show chart data as a table
| Series | 1× t½ | 2× t½ | 3× t½ | 4× t½ | 5× t½ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semaglutide | 7 days · 50% | 14 days · 25% | 21 days · 12.5% | 28 days · 6.25% | 35 days · 3.125% |
1 half-life
7 days
50% remaining
2 half-lives
14 days
25% remaining
3 half-lives
21 days
12.5% remaining
4 half-lives
28 days
6.25% remaining
5 half-lives
35 days
3.125% remaining
Source, population and method
The Ozempic injection label reports an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week, with semaglutide present in the circulation for about 5 weeks after the last administration.
- Reported value
- 1 week
- Measure
- Elimination half-life (source term: “elimination half-life”)
- Species
- Human
- Population
- Adults with type 2 diabetes (clearance about 0.05 L/h stated for this population)
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Formulation
- Solution for injection (pen)
- Context
- Steady state
- Study design
- Regulatory label summary of the clinical pharmacology program
- Source type
- Official prescribing information
- Evidence quality
- High
- Last verified
- 2026-11-08
Steady state reported after 4–5 weeks of once-weekly administration; absolute bioavailability 89 %.
Source: OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, US prescribing information, section 12.3 · DailyMed SetID adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79 · 2026-06-01
All three current labels report about 1 week. They differ in population, in clearance (apparent 0.05 L/h for the injections, absolute 0.04 L/h for oral) and above all in absorption, so the same half-life does not mean the same concentration curve.
Idealized first-order elimination, R(t) = 100 × 2−t/t½. It ignores absorption, distribution, metabolites, individual physiology and effect duration, and is never a prediction for a person or a basis for timing anything.
Reported semaglutide half-life estimates
| Source | Half-life | Measure | Population | Route · form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic injection | 1 week | Elimination half-life | Adults with type 2 diabetes (clearance about 0.05 L/h stated for this population) | Subcutaneous · Solution for injection (pen) |
| Wegovy | 1 week | Elimination half-life | Adults with overweight or obesity (apparent clearance about 0.05 L/h) | Subcutaneous injection; oral tablet · Solution for injection (pen) and tablet co-formulated with SNAC |
| Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets | 1 week | Elimination half-life | Adults with type 2 diabetes | Oral · Tablet co-formulated with SNAC (absorption enhancer) |
Ozempic injection
The Ozempic injection label reports an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week, with semaglutide present in the circulation for about 5 weeks after the last administration.
- Reported value
- 1 week
- Measure
- Elimination half-life (source term: “elimination half-life”)
- Species
- Human
- Population
- Adults with type 2 diabetes (clearance about 0.05 L/h stated for this population)
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Formulation
- Solution for injection (pen)
- Context
- Steady state
- Study design
- Regulatory label summary of the clinical pharmacology program
- Source type
- Official prescribing information
- Evidence quality
- High
- Last verified
- 2026-11-08
Steady state reported after 4–5 weeks of once-weekly administration; absolute bioavailability 89 %.
Source: OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection, US prescribing information, section 12.3 · DailyMed SetID adec4fd2-6858-4c99-91d4-531f5f2a2d79 · 2026-06-01
Wegovy
The Wegovy label (injection and tablets) reports an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week, with semaglutide present in the circulation for about 5 to 7 weeks after the last administration.
- Reported value
- 1 week
- Measure
- Elimination half-life (source term: “elimination half-life”)
- Species
- Human
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity (apparent clearance about 0.05 L/h)
- Route
- Subcutaneous injection; oral tablet
- Formulation
- Solution for injection (pen) and tablet co-formulated with SNAC
- Context
- Steady state
- Study design
- Regulatory label summary of the clinical pharmacology program
- Source type
- Official prescribing information
- Evidence quality
- High
- Last verified
- 2026-11-08
One figure covers both forms, but absorption differs sharply: absolute bioavailability 89 % for the injection and about 1–2 % for the tablets.
Source: WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets, US prescribing information, section 12.3 · DailyMed SetID ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b · 2026-06-18
Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets
The oral semaglutide label reports an elimination half-life of approximately 1 week (stated as "one week") with an absolute clearance of approximately 0.04 L/hour in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Reported value
- 1 week
- Measure
- Elimination half-life (source term: “elimination half-life”)
- Species
- Human
- Population
- Adults with type 2 diabetes
- Route
- Oral
- Formulation
- Tablet co-formulated with SNAC (absorption enhancer)
- Context
- Steady state
- Study design
- Regulatory label summary of the clinical pharmacology program
- Source type
- Official prescribing information
- Evidence quality
- High
- Last verified
- 2026-11-08
Estimated absolute bioavailability is low (Rybelsus 0.4–1 %, Ozempic tablets 1–2 %); Cmax at about 1 hour.
Source: RYBELSUS / OZEMPIC (oral semaglutide) tablets, US prescribing information, section 12.3 · DailyMed SetID 27f15fac-7d98-4114-a2ec-92494a91da98 · 2026-01-30
Where sources differ: All three current labels report about 1 week. They differ in population, in clearance (apparent 0.05 L/h for the injections, absolute 0.04 L/h for oral) and above all in absorption, so the same half-life does not mean the same concentration curve.
One ingredient, several products
| Product | Route | Half-life | Absolute bioavailability | Label population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozempic injection | Subcutaneous | About 1 week | 89 % | Type 2 diabetes |
| Wegovy injection | Subcutaneous | About 1 week | 89 % | Overweight or obesity |
| Wegovy tablets | Oral | About 1 week | About 1–2 % | Overweight or obesity |
| Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets | Oral | About 1 week | 0.4–1 % (Rybelsus), 1–2 % (Ozempic tablets) | Type 2 diabetes |
Why the curves still differ
The elimination half-life sets how fast concentrations fall once semaglutide is in the circulation. Oral tablets reach peak concentration about an hour after administration with very low bioavailability; injections peak after 1 to 3 days. The idealized curve on this page shows only the elimination step.
Ingredient vs product
“Semaglutide” is the ingredient; Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus are products with their own labels. Compounded or unapproved products are not covered by these labels and their pharmacokinetics are not established here. Methodology.
What the curve can and cannot tell you
The curve is an idealized first-order elimination model. It is a mathematical illustration of what a half-life means, not a medical prediction. It does not model:
- Patient-specific pharmacokinetics
- Drug absorption from the site of administration
- Multi-compartment distribution
- Active metabolites
- Receptor occupancy
- How long a clinical effect lasts
- Individual blood concentrations
- Drug interactions
- Changes in kidney or liver function
A half-life describes how fast a concentration falls once absorption and distribution are complete. It is not the same as how long an effect lasts, and five half-lives is a mathematical landmark (about 3 % remaining in the idealized model), not a guaranteed washout or a safety threshold. Half-life vs duration of action.
Frequently asked questions
What is the half-life of semaglutide?
Approximately 1 week. The Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus / Ozempic tablets prescribing information all report an elimination half-life of about one week.
Is oral semaglutide’s half-life different from the injection’s?
The reported elimination half-life is the same, about one week. What differs is absorption: absolute bioavailability is 89 % for the injections and around 0.4–2 % for the tablets, which use the absorption enhancer SNAC. Same half-life does not mean the same concentration profile.
How long does semaglutide stay in the circulation?
The labels state semaglutide is present in the circulation for about 5 weeks (Ozempic) or about 5 to 7 weeks (Wegovy) after the last administration. That describes detectable drug, not the duration of any effect.
Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same?
They contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but are separate products with their own labels, indications and populations. This site keeps their values as separate records.
Why is semaglutide long-acting?
An amino-acid substitution protects it from DPP-4 breakdown and a C18 fatty diacid side chain binds albumin, slowing clearance to about 0.05 L/h.
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