Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesUses & IngredientsEfficacySide EffectsWhich One Should I Take?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences
Uses & Ingredients
Efficacy
Side Effects
Which One Should I Take?
When comparing Rybelsus vs. Ozempic, you may be aware of their similarities. As two type 2 diabetes medications in the same prescription drug class (glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists), both non-insulin options help to lower blood sugar and expedite weight loss.
However, when deciding which medication might be right for you, it’s helpful to consider some distinct differences between the two, such as dosage form, route of administration, and dosing frequency.
A healthcare provider can help you determine whether Rybelsus (semaglutide) or Ozempic (semaglutide) is the right choice for you.
Getty Images / Florian Gaertner.
Rybelsus vs. Ozempic: What’s the Difference?
Rybelsus and Ozempic share many similarities but have a few important differences.
The main differences center around the dosage forms, frequency, strengths, and dosing schedules of the two medications.
Dosage Differences
Form and Administration:
Frequency:
Strengths and Dosing Schedules:
Rybelsustablets are available in 3 milligrams (mg), 7 mg, and 14 mg strengths. The typical starting dosage is 3 mg once daily and increases slowly, over several months, until you reach the target dose of 7-14 mg once daily. This is the dosage shown to controlblood glucose (sugar) levels.
Ozempicinjection pens have several strengths: 2 mg per 3 milliliters (mL), 2 mg/1.5 mL, 4 mg/3 mL, and 8 mg/3 mL. Each pen contains 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg. The typical starting dosage of Ozempic is 0.25 mg once weekly. Your dose increases slowly, over several months, until you reach the target dose of 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg once weekly.
The table below summarizes some key differences between Rybelsus and Ozempic:
Uses and Ingredients
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Rybelsus and Ozempic for controlling blood sugar levels in adults withtype 2 diabetes, along with diet and exercise.
Ozempic is also FDA-approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems—mainlyheart attack or stroke—in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Healthcare providers also prescribe GLP-1 agonists for weight loss. During clinical trials, people with and without type 2 diabetes who took Rybelsus or Ozempic experienced significant weight loss.
Based on these results, providers sometimes prescribe Rybelsus orOzempic off-labelto assist in weight management for overweight orobeseindividuals.
However, this would be an off-label use since Rybelsus and Ozempic are not specifically FDA-approved for weight loss.
Which Is More Effective?
So far, no studies directly compare the effectiveness of Rybelsus and Ozempic. However, the results of two separate but similar clinical trials allow for a robust comparison of the effectiveness of each.
Overall, Rybelsus and Ozempic provide similar blood glucose levels and weight reduction. In clinical trials, Ozempic (1 mg weekly) and Rybelsus (14 mg daily) resulted in decreases inhemoglobin A1c(a measurement reflecting your average blood glucose levels over the past three months) of 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively.
In addition, Ozempic (1 mg weekly) and Rybelsus (14 mg daily) led to a weight loss of 9.9 pounds and 8.2 pounds over about 30 weeks, respectively. These results suggest that Rybelsus (14 mg daily) and Ozempic (1 mg weekly) are similarly effective.
Note that 14 mg daily is the maximum dose of Rybelsus, equivalent to 1 mg weekly of Ozempic.
However, a healthcare provider may prescribe up to 2 mg weekly for Ozempic.
In studies, people taking Ozempic (2 mg weekly) experienced even more weight loss and A1c reduction than those taking Ozempic (1 mg weekly).
Side Effects and Safety
Since Rybelsus and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), they have similar side effects.
Most side effects for Rybelsus and Ozempic are mild and occur more frequently when you first start treatment or after the dose increases.
However, continuously monitor for emergency side effects if taking Rybelsus or Ozempic.
If any side effects begin to worsen or affect your ability to take either drug, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Common Side Effects
Some of the more common side effects of Rybelsus and Ozempic include:
Specific side effects of Rybelsus or Ozempic are unique to each drug. Ozempic may causeinjection site reactionsor discomfort.
Severe Side Effects
Rarely, treatment with Rybelsus or Ozempic may result in more severe side effects. Certain medical conditions or other medications can increase the risk of severe side effects.
Some of the more severe side effects of Rybelsus and Ozempic may include:
Boxed WarningRybelsus and Ozempic have a boxed warning for the risk ofthyroid C-cell tumors. The FDA requires boxed warnings for drugs that may cause potentially severe or dangerous side effects.Rybelsus and Ozempic caused thyroid tumors in mice and rats during animal studies. It isn’t known if the same effect could occur in humans.As a precaution, however, Rybelsus and Ozempic are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), atype of thyroid cancer, as well as those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Boxed Warning
Rybelsus and Ozempic have a boxed warning for the risk ofthyroid C-cell tumors. The FDA requires boxed warnings for drugs that may cause potentially severe or dangerous side effects.Rybelsus and Ozempic caused thyroid tumors in mice and rats during animal studies. It isn’t known if the same effect could occur in humans.As a precaution, however, Rybelsus and Ozempic are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), atype of thyroid cancer, as well as those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Rybelsus and Ozempic have a boxed warning for the risk ofthyroid C-cell tumors. The FDA requires boxed warnings for drugs that may cause potentially severe or dangerous side effects.
Rybelsus and Ozempic caused thyroid tumors in mice and rats during animal studies. It isn’t known if the same effect could occur in humans.
As a precaution, however, Rybelsus and Ozempic are not recommended for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), atype of thyroid cancer, as well as those with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
Rybelsus vs. Ozempic: Which One Should I Take?
The choice between Rybelsus and Ozempic depends on the patient’s goals, preferences, and the professional opinion of their healthcare provider.
If you want to avoid needles, you might prefer Rybelsus tablets. Sometimes, insurance plans might cover one or the other, socostis another consideration.
Switching between Rybelsus and Ozempic is possible. You might switch due to a change in yourinsurance coverageor personal preference, such as injection site irritation from Ozempic.
Talk to a healthcare provider before stopping or switching any medications.
Wegovy: Similar to Rybelsus and Ozempic
Wegovyis another brand-name prescription drug. It also contains semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Rybelsus and Ozempic.
Summary
Rybelsus and Ozempic have many similarities but also have significant differences. They both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide.
Rybelsus is an oral tablet version of semaglutide taken once daily, while Ozempic is a subcutaneous injection administered once weekly.
Both medications lower blood glucose levels and aid in weight loss. Both drugs are used to treat type 2 diabetes, while Ozempic is also used to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A healthcare provider can help determine which option may be right for you.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Han SH, Safeek R, Ockerman K, et al.Public interest in the off-label use of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (Ozempic) for cosmetic weight loss: a Google Trends analysis.Aesthet Surg J. 2023;sjad211. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad211MedlinePlus.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Semaglutide injection.Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A.Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.Meier, JJ.Efficacy of semaglutide in a subcutaneous and an oral formulation.Front Endocrinol.2021;12:645617. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645617Frias, JP, Auerbach, P, Bajaj, HS, et al.Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2.0mg versus 1.0mg in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, phase 3b trial.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol.2021;9(9):563-574. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00174-1Gibbons C, Blundell J, Tetens Hoff S, Dahl K, Bauer R, Baekdal T.Effects of oral semaglutide on energy intake, food preference, appetite, control of eating and body weight in subjects with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23(2):581-588. doi:10.1111/dom.14255DailyMed.Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection, solution.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Han SH, Safeek R, Ockerman K, et al.Public interest in the off-label use of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (Ozempic) for cosmetic weight loss: a Google Trends analysis.Aesthet Surg J. 2023;sjad211. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad211MedlinePlus.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Semaglutide injection.Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A.Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.Meier, JJ.Efficacy of semaglutide in a subcutaneous and an oral formulation.Front Endocrinol.2021;12:645617. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645617Frias, JP, Auerbach, P, Bajaj, HS, et al.Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2.0mg versus 1.0mg in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, phase 3b trial.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol.2021;9(9):563-574. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00174-1Gibbons C, Blundell J, Tetens Hoff S, Dahl K, Bauer R, Baekdal T.Effects of oral semaglutide on energy intake, food preference, appetite, control of eating and body weight in subjects with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23(2):581-588. doi:10.1111/dom.14255DailyMed.Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection, solution.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Han SH, Safeek R, Ockerman K, et al.Public interest in the off-label use of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (Ozempic) for cosmetic weight loss: a Google Trends analysis.Aesthet Surg J. 2023;sjad211. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad211MedlinePlus.Semaglutide.DailyMed.Label: Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet.DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.MedlinePlus.Semaglutide injection.Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A.Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.Meier, JJ.Efficacy of semaglutide in a subcutaneous and an oral formulation.Front Endocrinol.2021;12:645617. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645617Frias, JP, Auerbach, P, Bajaj, HS, et al.Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2.0mg versus 1.0mg in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, phase 3b trial.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol.2021;9(9):563-574. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00174-1Gibbons C, Blundell J, Tetens Hoff S, Dahl K, Bauer R, Baekdal T.Effects of oral semaglutide on energy intake, food preference, appetite, control of eating and body weight in subjects with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23(2):581-588. doi:10.1111/dom.14255DailyMed.Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection, solution.
Han SH, Safeek R, Ockerman K, et al.Public interest in the off-label use of glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists (Ozempic) for cosmetic weight loss: a Google Trends analysis.Aesthet Surg J. 2023;sjad211. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad211
MedlinePlus.Semaglutide.
DailyMed.Label: Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Ozempic- semaglutide injection, solution.
MedlinePlus.Semaglutide injection.
Ghusn W, De la Rosa A, Sacoto D, Cifuentes L, Campos A, Feris F, Hurtado MD, Acosta A.Weight loss outcomes associated with semaglutide treatment for patients with overweight or obesity.JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2231982. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.31982
Food and Drug Administration.FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss.
Meier, JJ.Efficacy of semaglutide in a subcutaneous and an oral formulation.Front Endocrinol.2021;12:645617. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.645617
Frias, JP, Auerbach, P, Bajaj, HS, et al.Efficacy and safety of once-weekly semaglutide 2.0mg versus 1.0mg in patients with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, randomised, phase 3b trial.Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol.2021;9(9):563-574. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(21)00174-1
Gibbons C, Blundell J, Tetens Hoff S, Dahl K, Bauer R, Baekdal T.Effects of oral semaglutide on energy intake, food preference, appetite, control of eating and body weight in subjects with type 2 diabetes.Diabetes Obes Metab. 2021;23(2):581-588. doi:10.1111/dom.14255
DailyMed.Label: Wegovy- semaglutide injection, solution.
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