Semaglutide is the active ingredient in certain brand-name medications prescribed for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and more. Semaglutide belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drug class.
You’ll find key information about semaglutide below:
- Drug forms: oral tablet and injection pen (for subcutaneous injection)
- Brand-name version available? yes
- Generic version available? no
- Prescription required? yes
- Controlled substance? no
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand-name drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. Currently, there is no generic version of semaglutide that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you’re interested in generic alternatives to Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatments for your condition. If you have insurance, you’ll also need to check which medications are covered under your plan. You can find information about semaglutide and cost later in this article.
Learn more about how generics compare with brand-name drugs.
Semaglutide has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Semaglutide precautions” section.
Below are details about the FDA-approved forms and uses of semaglutide.
| Brand name | Semaglutide form | FDA-approved uses |
|---|---|---|
| Rybelsus | oral tablet | to help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes |
| Ozempic | injection pen | • to help manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes • to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems (such as heart attack and stroke) in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease • to help reduce the risk of worsened kidney function, end stage kidney disease, and death related to a cardiovascular problem in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease |
| Wegovy | injection pen | • to help with weight loss and weight management in people who have obesity or are overweight • to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular problems in people with cardiovascular disease who have obesity or are overweight |
Semaglutide may also be prescribed off-label for other uses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
For instance, Rybelsus and Ozempic can be prescribed off-label for weight loss. Other off-label uses for semaglutide include nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
To learn more about Ozempic’s off-label use, read this in-depth Ozempic for weight loss article.
As with all medications, the cost of semaglutide can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use. It may also depend on whether you’re prescribed Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus.
If you need financial support to pay for brand-name versions of semaglutide or need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. The following savings programs are available for brand-name versions of semaglutide:
For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, talk with your doctor. You can also refer to these recent articles about the cost of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Buying semaglutide online
If you’re considering buying semaglutide online, it’s important to be cautious. Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are only available with a prescription and should be obtained from a licensed pharmacy.
Some healthcare providers may offer compounded semaglutide. This version may be an option for people who cannot use FDA-approved forms of semaglutide, such as people who have allergies to certain ingredients.
However, compounded semaglutide is not FDA approved for any use. Receiving it from an unverified source may expose you to untested ingredients or incorrect dosages, which could pose serious safety risks.
If you have questions about buying semaglutide online, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help you find legitimate sources and determine whether an online semaglutide product is the same as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus.
Semaglutide can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur with semaglutide use. These lists do not include all possible side effects.
Side effects may vary depending on the form of semaglutide you use. For more information about the possible side effects of semaglutide, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.
Mild side effects
Some mild side effects of semaglutide are listed below. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view the prescribing information for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Mild side effects of semaglutide can include:
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- fatigue
- headache
- indigestion, gas, or burping
- nausea and vomiting
Injectable semaglutide may also cause injection site reactions such as itching, inflammation, or changes in skin color. (Semaglutide injections are given under your skin.)
Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: The FDA tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with semaglutide, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from semaglutide aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects can include:
- acute pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of the pancreas)
- acute gallbladder disease, such as gallstones
- low blood sugar
- severe digestive side effects, which may lead to dehydration or acute kidney injury
- diabetic retinopathy (diabetes-related eye damage)
- increases in heart rate
- suicidal thoughts or behaviors (when the drug is used for weight loss)
- risk of thyroid cancer*
* Semaglutide has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. To learn more, see the “Boxed warning for semaglutide” section.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Semaglutide has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
It isn’t known for certain whether semaglutide increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans. However, animal studies of semaglutide have linked the drug to a higher risk of thyroid cancer. Keep in mind that the results of animal studies do not always apply to humans.
Due to the possible risk of thyroid cancer, doctors typically will not prescribe semaglutide for certain people. This includes people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, a rare form of thyroid cancer. It also includes people with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, a genetic condition that can lead to thyroid cancer.
While you’re using semaglutide, tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of thyroid cancer, such as difficulty swallowing, a hoarse voice, or a lump in your neck. Your doctor may recommend tests to check for thyroid cancer.
To learn more about this risk, talk with your doctor.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about semaglutide.
How fast can you lose 20 pounds on semaglutide?
Weight loss with semaglutide varies from person to person. It may take several weeks for you to start noticing weight loss. How quickly you’ll lose weight depends on factors such as your starting weight, your eating and exercise habits, and how your body responds to the drug.
To learn more about what to expect when using semaglutide for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can discuss available treatment options and help create a weight loss plan for you.
Can semaglutide be taken long term?
Yes, if your doctor recommends it. Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for long-term use in managing type 2 diabetes and related conditions. Wegovy is approved for long-term weight management in people with obesity or overweight who have related health conditions.
If semaglutide is helping you manage your condition without bothersome side effects, your doctor may recommend continuing treatment long term. However, stopping semaglutide may lead to changes in weight or blood sugar levels.
To determine whether long-term semaglutide use is right for you, talk with your doctor. You can also read this article about using Wegovy long term.
Other drugs are available that work similarly to semaglutide. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to semaglutide, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to semaglutide:
If you’d like more information about how specific drugs compare, explore these articles:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.