How the Wegovy Pill Works: Oral Semaglutide Explained

Описание: How does the Wegovy pill work, and how can semaglutide be effective when taken orally?
This lecture explains the pharmacology of oral Wegovy, a recently FDA-approved oral formulation of semaglutide for weight management. We examine how semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist and peptide drug, is normally poorly absorbed when taken by mouth, and how co-formulation with the absorption enhancer SNAC enables oral delivery.
The video compares oral semaglutide with injectable Wegovy, explains differences in bioavailability and dosing, and explores GLP-1 receptor signalling in the brain, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. We also discuss how these mechanisms lead to weight loss, why gastrointestinal side effects occur, and why gradual dose titration is required.
This video is intended for undergraduate students in pharmacology, biomedical science, medicine, and related disciplines, and focuses on mechanism of action rather than marketing or lifestyle advice.

0:00 - Oral semaglutide
1:19 - What is the Wegovy pill?
2:49 - Why peptides usually fail as oral drugs
3:58 - How oral semaglutide overcomes the problem: SNAC
6:52 - Oral versus injectable semaglutide
9: 39 - What happens after semaglutide is absorbed?
11:53 - The pancreas
13:58 - Insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose levels
15:30 - GLP-1 receptor mechanisms
19:48 - Effects and side effects of systemic GLP-1 receptor activation
22:11 - Why doses are increased gradually
23:49 - Key take home messages