Rybelsus (semaglutide) and Ozempic (semaglutide) are prescription drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet, while Ozempic comes as an injectable liquid solution.
This article explains the main ways that Rybelsus and Ozempic are alike and different. For more information about these drugs, including details about their uses, see these in-depth articles on Rybelsus and Ozempic.
See the list below to learn whether Rybelsus or Ozempic is available as a generic. (A generic drug contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.)
- Rybelsus:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: semaglutide
- Ozempic:
- Available as a generic: no
- Active ingredient: semaglutide
Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Rybelsus and Ozempic.
How do Rybelsus and Ozempic compare with similar drugs, such as metformin or Jardiance?
Rybelsus, Ozempic, and Jardiance are brand-name medications, while metformin is a generic drug. They’re all prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. But Ozempic, metformin, and Jardiance have other uses as well.
Below are a few of the ways Rybelsus and Ozempic compare with metformin and Jardiance.
| Rybelsus | Ozempic | Metformin | Jardiance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | semaglutide | semaglutide | metformin | empagliflozin |
| Drug class | glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist | GLP-1 agonist | biguanide | sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitor |
| Forms | oral tablet | liquid solution injected under the skin | • oral tablet • extended-release* oral tablet • oral liquid solution | • oral tablet |
| Approved uses | to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes | • to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes • to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease | to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes | • to help manage blood sugar levels in adults and certain children with type 2 diabetes • to lower the risk of death in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease • to lower the risk of death and hospitalization in adults with heart failure • to lower the risk of death, hospitalization, and specific kidney problems in certain adults with kidney disease |
* “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a period of time.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Rybelsus or Ozempic be used for weight loss?
Rybelsus and Ozempic aren’t approved for weight loss. But in some cases, your doctor may prescribe either of these drugs off-label for this use. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Rybelsus and Ozempic contain semaglutide as their active ingredient. Another drug, Wegovy, contains the same active ingredient and is approved for weight loss in certain people.
To learn more about using Rybelsus or Ozempic for weight loss, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the right treatment option for your condition. You can also view this article about using Ozempic for weight loss.
Is Rybelsus a better treatment option than Ozempic or vice versa?
It depends. Rybelsus and Ozempic are both prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. Studies of Rybelsus and Ozempic have shown that both drugs are effective for this use.
But Rybelsus and Ozempic do have some differences. For example, Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet you swallow once daily. Ozempic comes as a liquid solution that you inject under your skin once weekly. One of these drug forms or dosage schedules may be a better choice for you than the other.
If you’re considering treatment with Rybelsus or Ozempic, talk with your doctor about your health history. Ask whether one of these drugs may be a better option for you.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when considering these drugs. Visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Rybelsus and Ozempic when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.)
Keep in mind that what you’ll pay for either drug will depend on your treatment plan, health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Some people taking Rybelsus or Ozempic may experience mild to serious side effects. For more information, see these side effect articles on Rybelsus and Ozempic.
Mild side effects
Rybelsus and Ozempic may cause mild side effects. The table below lists examples of mild side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Side effect | Rybelsus | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| abdominal pain | ✓ | ✓ |
| burping | ✓ | ✓ |
| changes in the way things taste | ✓ | |
| constipation | ✓ | ✓ |
| diarrhea | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | |
| fatigue | ✓ | |
| flatulence (gas) | ✓ | ✓ |
| gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) | ✓ | ✓ |
| increased heart rate | ✓ | ✓ |
| indigestion (upset stomach) | ✓ | ✓ |
| injection site reactions, such as skin discoloration or discomfort around the injection area | ✓ | |
| loss of appetite | ✓ | |
| nausea and vomiting | ✓ | ✓ |
| weight loss | ✓ | ✓ |
This table may not include all mild side effects of these drugs. For more information on mild side effects of the two drugs, see the Rybelsus prescribing information and Ozempic prescribing information.
Serious side effects
In addition to the mild side effects listed above, serious side effects may occur in people using Rybelsus or Ozempic. See the table below for a list of side effects that have been reported with these drugs.
| Side effect | Rybelsus | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) | ✓ | ✓ |
| gallstones or cholecystitis (swelling of the gallbladder) | ✓ | ✓ |
| pancreatitis (swelling of the pancreas) | ✓ | ✓ |
| severe digestive problems, such as severe diarrhea, which may lead to dehydration or kidney problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| diabetic retinopathy (damaged blood vessels in the eye) | ✓ | ✓ |
| risk of thyroid cancer* | ✓ | ✓ |
| allergic reaction† | ✓ | ✓ |
To learn about your specific risk of serious side effects from Rybelsus or Ozempic, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
* Rybelsus and Ozempic have a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “What are the warnings of Rybelsus and Ozempic?” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using either drug. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Rybelsus or Ozempic.
Here’s an overview of the dosage and how you’ll take Rybelsus and Ozempic for the conditions they both treat. Ozempic is also prescribed to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems in certain adults, but this use isn’t addressed below.
To learn more about the dosages for all uses of these drugs, see the dosage articles for Rybelsus and Ozempic.
Dosage for type 2 diabetes
Rybelsus and Ozempic are prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. Below are the dosages of each drug for this use. Strengths are listed in milligrams (mg) and mg per milliliter (mg/mL).
| Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes | Ozempic for type 2 diabetes | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | oral tablet | liquid solution inside a disposable, prefilled pen, given as an injection under the skin (see below) |
| Strengths | • 3 mg • 7 mg • 14 mg | • 2 mg/3 mL • 4 mg/3 mL • 8 mg/3 mL |
| Dose | 3–14 mg | 0.5–2 mg |
| How often to use | once daily | once weekly |
You’ll inject Ozempic under the skin of your abdomen or upper thigh. Or a caregiver may inject the drug under the skin of your upper arm. Your doctor will show you or a caregiver how to inject Ozempic.
See the table below for details on the uses of each drug.
| Use | Rybelsus | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|
| to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes | ✓ | ✓ |
| to lower the risk of serious heart and blood vessel problems in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease | ✓ |
To learn more about using Rybelsus or Ozempic to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.
Studies of Rybelsus and Ozempic have shown that both drugs are effective for helping to manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the American Diabetes Association includes both drugs in its treatment recommendations for type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to note that your results from Rybelsus or Ozempic may differ from those seen in studies. Talk with your doctor about whether one of these drugs is right for you.
Rybelsus and Ozempic may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These may be referred to as warnings. These two drugs share some of the same warnings, several of which are mentioned below. Before starting Rybelsus or Ozempic, be sure to talk with your doctor to check whether any of these warnings apply to you.
Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer
Rybelsus and Ozempic have a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
In animal studies, semaglutide (the active ingredient in Rybelsus and Ozempic) caused thyroid cancer. Animal studies won’t always predict what happens with humans. It isn’t known for certain whether Rybelsus or Ozempic increases the risk of thyroid cancer in humans.
To be safe, doctors typically won’t prescribe either drug for people with specific factors, including:
- a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer, which is a rare type of thyroid cancer
- multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), which is a rare genetic (inherited) condition that increases the risk of thyroid cancer
Symptoms of thyroid cancer include:
If you have symptoms of thyroid cancer during treatment with Rybelsus or Ozempic, tell your doctor right away. They may order tests to check for this condition. For more information about this warning, talk with your doctor.
Other warnings
In addition to boxed warnings, Rybelsus and Ozempic have other warnings. Before starting either of these drugs, talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions or health factors apply to you.
- if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients
- if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant
- if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed
- if you have a pancreas problem
- if you have a kidney problem
- if you have diabetic retinopathy
The short answer: It’s possible.
Details: Both Rybelsus and Ozempic are prescribed to help manage blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. It may be possible to switch between the two drugs for this purpose. Your doctor can tell you more.
Reminder: You should not switch drugs or stop your current treatment unless your doctor recommends it.
Rybelsus and Ozempic are prescribed to help treat type 2 diabetes. Ozempic also has another approved use. If you have any questions about these drugs, talk with your doctor. They can recommend the best treatment option for your condition. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:
- Do I have any health conditions that make Rybelsus or Ozempic less safe for me?
- Is my risk of low blood sugar higher with either Rybelsus or Ozempic?
- Do any of my current medications interact with Rybelsus or Ozempic?
To learn more about Rybelsus or Ozempic, see these articles:
- Ozempic: How It’s Used for Weight Loss
- All About Rybelsus
- Ozempic: Overview, How It Works, and More
- Side Effects of Rybelsus: What You Need to Know
- Side Effects of Ozempic: Examples and Treatment Options
- Rybelsus Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others
- Ozempic Interactions: Alcohol, Medications, and Others
- Dosage Details for Rybelsus
- All About Ozempic’s Dosage
- Rybelsus and Cost: What You Need to Know
- How Much Does Ozempic Cost? Plus Discounts and Savings Tips
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.
