Illustration of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (blue) binding to a semaglutide molecule (red), forming an activated complex. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a type of drug that mimics the function of natural GLP-1 hormones. These medications work by binding to GLP-1 receptors throughout the body and stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, and slowing down gastric emptying. This leads to improved blood sugar control, making it an effective treatment option for type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, a medication used to treat diabetes.