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Semaglutide

Generic name: semaglutide
Brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus
Dosage form: subcutaneous injection, tablet
Drug class: Incretin Mimetics (GLP-1 Agonists)

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Oct 2, 2024.

What is semaglutide?

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Semaglutide is used for weight loss in specific patients, and also to lower blood sugar levels, and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in certain patients. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist that works by increasing insulin release, lowering the amount of glucagon released, delaying gastric emptying, and reducing appetite.

Semaglutide weight loss brand is Wegovy is the only semaglutide brand that is FDA brand approved for weight loss. 

Semaglutide injections (Ozempic and Wegovy) are given as subcutaneous injections once a week. Rybelsus is a tablet that you take once a day in the morning, 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other medicines. You may eat, drink, or take oral medicine 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus.

Semaglutide is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes.

Semaglutide is not available as a generic medicine. Each of the different brands of semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelus) are made by Novo Nordisk and are FDA-approved for different conditions.

What is the difference between Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelus? 

The different brands of semaglutide (semaglutide injection and semaglutide tablets) have different uses and different forms:

Brand of semaglutide Ozempic Wegovy Rybelsus
Form subcutaneous injection subcutaneous injection tablet
Strength 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose pen, 1 mg dose pen, 2mg dose pen. 0.25 mg dose pen, 0.5 mg dose pen, 1 mg dose pen, 1.7 mg dose pen, 2.4 mg dose pen 3mg tablet, 7mg tablet, 14mg tablet
Dose weekly weekly daily
Uses Used to help control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients, it is used together with diet and exercise. It is also used to reduce the risk of major cardiac events such as heart attack and strokes in type 2 diabetic patients who already have cardiovascular disease.

Used for weight loss for patients who have an initial BMI (body mass index) of 30kg/m2 or greater or patients who have a BMI of 27kg/m2 or greater and also have least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. It is use together with diet and exercise.

Used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in adults who are obese or overweight and have cardiovascular disease. It is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Used to help control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetic patients, it is used together with diet and exercise.

How does semaglutide work?

Semaglutide works to lower high blood sugar by increasing the amount of insulin that is released, lowering the amount of glucagon released and by delaying gastric emptying. Semaglutide also controls appetite and so helps you reduce the amount of food that you want to eat.  Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist.

What is cost of semaglutide?

The cost of semaglutide varies depending on your insurance plan and which pharmacy you use. 

Refer to our Ozempic price guide page for more information about the Ozempic cost. You may also be eligible for an Ozempic coupon or saving card. 

Refer to our Wegovy price guide page for more information about the Wegovy cost. You may also be eligible for a Wegovy coupon or saving card.

Refer to our  Rybelsus price guide page for more information about the Rybelsus cost. You may also be eligible for Rybelsus coupon or saving card.

Semaglutide side effects

Common semaglutide side effects

Common semaglutide side effects may include low blood sugar (in people with type 2 diabetes), upset stomach, heartburn, burping, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, stomach flu symptoms, headache, dizziness, tiredness.

Serious semaglutide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, itching, dizziness, fast heartbeats, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

call your doctor at once if you have:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Call your doctor at once if you have signs of a thyroid tumor, such as swelling or a lump in your neck, trouble swallowing, a hoarse voice, or shortness of breath.

You should not use semaglutide if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (tumors in your glands), or a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use semaglutide if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

In animal studies, semaglutide caused thyroid tumors or thyroid cancer. It is not known whether these effects would occur in people. Ask your doctor about your risk.

Men and women should stop using semaglutide at least 2 months before you plan to get pregnant. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this Ozempic or Wegovy.

You should not breastfeed while using Rybelsus.

Semaglutide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I use or take semaglutide?


Ozempic and Wegovy are injected under the skin, usually once per week at any time of the day, with or without food. Use an injection on the same day each week.

Read and follow all instructions you have been given. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you need help.

Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Call your pharmacist if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it.

Your healthcare provider will show you where to inject semaglutide. Do not inject into the same place two times in a row.

If you choose a different weekly injection day, start your new schedule after at least 2 days have passed since the last injection you gave.

Do not use different brands of semaglutide at the same time.

Rybelsus is a tablet taken once a day at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other oral medications of the day with no more than 4 ounces of plain water only. After 30 minutes of taking the tablet you may eat, drink or take other oral medicines. Swallow tablets whole. Do not split, crush, or chew tablets.

General dosing information
Blood sugar can be affected by stress, illness, surgery, exercise, alcohol use, or skipping meals.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can make you feel very hungry, dizzy, irritable, or shaky. To quickly treat hypoglycemia, eat or drink hard candy, crackers, raisins, fruit juice, or non-diet soda. Your doctor may prescribe glucagon injections in case of severe hypoglycemia.

Tell your doctor if you have frequent symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), such as increased thirst or urination. Ask your doctor before changing your dose or medication schedule.

Your treatment may also include diet, exercise, weight control, medical tests, and special medical care.

You may get dehydrated during prolonged illness. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you eat or drink less than usual.

Never share an injection pen, even if you changed the needle. Sharing an injection can pass infection or disease from person to person.

Store Rybelsus in the original package at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Store unopened Ozempic or Wegovy injection pens in the original carton in a refrigerator, protected from light. Do not use past the expiration date. Throw away an injection pen that has been frozen.

If needed, you may store an unopened Wegovy pen at cool room temperature for up to 28 days. Do not remove the cap until you are ready to use the injection pen. The pen contains a single dose. Throw the pen away after one use, even if there is still medicine left inside.

The Ozempic injection pen contains more than one dose. After your first use, store the pen with the needle removed in a refrigerator or at room temperature. Protect from heat and light. Keep the cap on when not in use. Throw the pen away 56 days after the first use or if less than 0.25 mg is shown on the dose counter.

Do not reuse a needle. Place it in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Semaglutide Dosing information

Ozempic Dosing Information

Ozempic Recommended Dosage

Ozempic is available as:

Ozempic injection 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg dose pen. 

Ozempic injection 1 mg dose pen.

Ozempic injection 2mg dose pen.

Wegovy Dosing Information

Wegovy Recommended Dosage

Initiate Wegovy with a dose of 0.25 mg injected subcutaneously once-weekly and follow the dose escalation schedule below to minimize gastrointestinal adverse reactions

If patients do not tolerate a dose during dose escalation, consider delaying dose escalation for 4 weeks
The maintenance dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg injected subcutaneously once-weekly.
If patients do not tolerate the maintenance 2.4 mg once-weekly dose, the dose can be temporarily decreased to 1.7 mg once-weekly, for a maximum of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, increase Wegovy to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once-weekly.
Discontinue Wegovy if the patient cannot tolerate the 2.4 mg dose.
In patients with type 2 diabetes, monitor blood glucose prior to starting Wegovy and during Wegovy treatment.

Wegovy Strengths available:

Rybelsus Dosing Information

Take Rybelsus at least 30 minutes before the first food, beverage, or other oral medications of the day with no more than 4 ounces of plain water only. After 30 minutes of taking the tablet you may eat, drink or take other oral medicines. Swallow tablets whole. Do not split, crush, or chew tablets.

Rybelsus Recommended Dosage

Rybelsus tablets strengths are available in 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg

Switching Patients between Ozempic and Rybelsus

What happens if I miss a dose?

For Rybelsus: Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time.

For Ozempic: Use the medicine as soon as you can and then go back to your regular schedule. If you are more than 5 days late for the injection, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

For Wegovy: Use the medicine as soon as you can and then go back to your regular schedule. If your next dose is due in less than 2 days (48 hours), skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

Do not use two doses of semaglutide at one time.

Call your doctor if you miss more than 2 doses in a row of Wegovy. You may need to restart the medicine at a lower dose to avoid stomach problems.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose may cause severe nausea, vomiting, or low blood sugar.

What other drugs will affect semaglutide?

Semaglutide can slow your digestion, and it may take longer for your body to absorb any medicines you take by mouth.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially insulin or other diabetes medicines, such as dulaglutide, exenatide, liraglutide, Byetta, Trulicity, Victoza, and others.

Other drugs may affect semaglutide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Mounjaro, Zepbound, metformin, Ozempic, Jardiance, simvastatin, semaglutide, Trulicity, Wegovy, phentermine

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with semaglutide

Pregnancy: Men and women should stop using semaglutide at least 2 months before you plan to get pregnant. Ask your doctor for a safer medicine to use during this time. Controlling diabetes is very important during pregnancy, as is gaining the right amount of weight. Even if you are overweight, losing weight during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby.

Breastfeeding: Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using this Ozempic or Wegovy.
You should not breastfeed while using Rybelsus.

Storage

Ozempic

Wegovy

Rybelsus:

What are the Ingredients of semaglutide?

Active ingredient: semaglutide
Inactive ingredients:

Ozempic: disodium phosphate dihydrate, propylene glycol, phenol, and water for injections. Ozempic has a pH of approximately 7.4. Hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide may be added to adjust pH.

Wegovy: disodium phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, and water for injection.

Rybelsus: magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone and salcaprozate sodium (SNAC).

Company

Ozempic, Wegovy and  Rybelsus are Manufactured by: Novo Nordisk A/S, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark

Popular FAQ

Ozempic Side Effects to Watch For

The most common Ozempic side effects with Ozempic include stomach problems, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and constipation. These tend to be mild-to-moderate and usually clear up in a few weeks in most people. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is also a common side effect (when used with certain other diabetes treatments) and it can be serious. Continue reading

Tirzepatide vs semaglutide: How do they compare?

Both tirzepatide and semaglutide are prescription medicines used with diet and exercise to treat people with type 2 diabetes or to help people lose and maintain weight loss. Semaglutide has also been approved for cardiovascular risk reduction. They are marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus (semaglutide) and as Mounjaro or Zepbound (tirzepatide). Continue reading

How does semaglutide work for weight loss?

You could lose weight with semaglutide (Wegovy) because you will eat less, and feel fuller when you do eat. Semaglutide does this by closely mimicking a natural hormone in our bodies called incretin. It targets an area in the brain (called GLP-1 receptors) that help to regulate your appetite and how much you eat. Continue reading

Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?

Although Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, over 86% of people lose at least 5% of their body weight in trials that have studied semaglutide, the active ingredient of Ozempic. But the same clinical trials also show that just under 14% don’t lose weight, and some may even gain weight. Continue reading

How much does semaglutide cost?

Semaglutide (Wegovy) injection for weight loss costs about $1430 per month for all strengths using an online coupon if you are paying cash. Semaglutide for type 2 diabetes costs $1029 per month for both the pen injection (Ozempic) and for 30 of the once-daily oral tablets (Rybelsus). Continue reading

How does Ozempic affect blood pressure?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is more likely to lower blood pressure than to increase it and several trials of semaglutide have shown significant reductions in blood pressure in people who had normal blood pressure to start with, or slightly elevated blood pressure to start with. There is a lack of studies on people with high baseline blood pressure, but it seems likely that their blood pressure would also decrease with Ozempic. Continue reading

What foods should I eat or avoid when taking Rybelsus?

There are no specific foods to avoid, but if you are being treated for type 2 diabetes you should avoid regular consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and calories. Rybelsus works best if you combine it with a healthy diet and exercise plan as recommended by your healthcare provider. Continue reading

How does taking Ozempic affect your face?

Ozempic face describes the drastic facial changes seen in some people who lose a lot of weight quickly. The term has been attributed to Ozempic because the medication is so effective and quick at causing people to lose weight, which means facial changes are more noticeable. Ozempic face is a real thing but it has more to do with significant weight loss rather than being a specific side effect of Ozempic. The features attributed to "Ozempic Face" could happen with any medication that causes rapid weight loss. Continue reading

Why does Ozempic cause a dry mouth or taste changes?

A change in taste (also called dysgeusia) is a commonly discussed side effect of Ozempic on blog sites, although the product information gives minimal information about it, apart from saying it affects more than 0.4% of people who take Ozempic. Continue reading

View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.