- The GLP-1 medication Ozempic is now available in pill form for people with type 2 diabetes.
- The oral tablet is a reformulated version of the current Rybelsus pill but comes in smaller doses.
- Experts say the pill may be a better alternative for people who don’t want to administer weekly injections of Ozempic.
A pill form of the widely prescribed GLP-1 medication Ozempic is now available in the United States.
Officials at Novo Nordisk have announced that an oral tablet version of the GLP-1 drug became available on May 4 for adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
The Ozempic pill is replacing Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus daily oral medication, which was approved in 2019 for type 2 diabetes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 3 milligram (mg), 7 mg, and 14 mg doses.
The Ozempic daily pill is a reformulation of Rybelsus and comes in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses.
Novo Nordisk officials say the new formulation delivers the same efficacy and safety profile as the originally approved formulation, but at a lower dose.
Ozempic will also remain available as a weekly injection for diabetes treatment. It is also commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss.
This is the third GLP-1 medication to be approved in pill form this year. In January, FDA regulators gave the OK for another Novo Nordisk product, Wegovy, to be sold as an oral tablet. Wegovy is approved for use for weight management.
In April, the FDA also approved the Eli Lilly medication Foundayo in pill form, but the agency ordered the company to study the heart, liver, and other potential risks associated with this new pill. Foundayo has been approved for use in weight management.
Novo Nordisk officials say they expect a decision from federal regulators on a 25-mg Ozempic tablet dose by the end of 2026. They add that the new pill provides more options for patients.
“With an updated formulation and new branding, oral semaglutide, now under the Ozempic name, helps patients and healthcare professionals more easily recognize the available FDA-approved treatment options for type 2 diabetes that contain the semaglutide molecule,” said Michael Radin, MD, the executive medical director for Novo Nordisk.
“By offering Ozempic in both a pill and injection form, patients can work with their healthcare professional to pick the option that best fits their lives and daily routines,” Radin told Healthline.
Pouya Shafipour, MD, a family and obesity medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, said a pill form of Ozempic will likely be more appealing to many people than an injection.
“A lot of people are needle-averse,” Shafipour told Healthine. “Over the long term, a lot of people get tired of poking themselves.”
Mir Ali, MD, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, said the significance of the new Ozempic-branded pill is that it “carries greater name recognition.”
A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and a prescription are needed for a person to obtain the new Ozempic pill.
Novo Nordisk officials say the oral tablet will be available in more than 70,000 pharmacies in the United States.
They add that the Ozempic pill will be covered by insurance for most patients with type 2 diabetes, at as little as $25 for a 3-month prescription.
People who don’t want to use insurance can purchase the tablets through the NovoCare Pharmacy or certain telehealth providers for $149 for the starting dose of 1.5 mg, $199 per month for the 4 mg pills, and $299 per month for the 9 mg pills.
They add that the pill has also proven effective in reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in those who are also at high risk for these events.
Radin said it’s important for people to know that the Ozempic pill is not the same as the injection.
“Oral and injectable Ozempic are not interchangeable. Before a patient considers any transition between formulations, they should consult a healthcare professional,” he said.
Ozempic, whether in a pill or an injection, can produce side effects in some people. Some of the common side effects are:
- abdominal pain
- constipation
- diarrhea
- nausea
Shafipour said more GLP-1 medications may be offered in pill form in the near future, as scientists appear to be solving the “absorption issue.”
Shafipour explained that injections go directly into the bloodstream, so they are absorbed quickly by the body. He said that pills take longer to be absorbed, so a higher dose has been necessary to achieve the same effectiveness.
He said higher doses can lead to more side effects and less weight loss success. Having a pill in smaller doses may reduce that likelihood.
Ali said that he expects to see an increase in the use of GLP-1 oral tablets. “Most people are more comfortable with pills than injections, so I believe we will see more oral medications for the treatment of diabetes and obesity in the future,” he told Healthline.
Shafipour said there are several advantages to a pill form of a GLP-1 medication.
He noted that many people are more comfortable with taking a pill than sticking themselves with a needle.
Shafipour added that injections need to be refrigerated, so pills can be more convenient when traveling. Pills are also generally less expensive.
Nonetheless, Shafipour said some people prefer the injection because they only have to administer a treatment once a week.
There’s also the requirement that a GLP-1 oral medication be taken on an empty stomach.
Ali agrees there are pluses and minuses for both forms of GLP-1 drugs.
“The advantages of the pill form include ease of use, transport, and storage as well as lower manufacturing costs,” he said. “The disadvantages are slightly lower efficacy and the requirement for daily use rather than weekly injections.”
GLP-1 medications work by suppressing appetite. They do not cause weight loss or improve blood sugar levels on their own.
Experts say it’s important for people taking these drugs to also adopt healthy lifestyle habits.
Shafipour said people should talk with their doctor to develop a plan before starting a medication routine.
“People should realize that these are long-term drugs,” he said.
Shafipour points out that the body can adapt to medications, so the drugs can become less effective over time for weight loss and blood sugar control.
He said that’s why it’s important to eat a healthy, protein-rich diet and to maintain a consistent exercise schedule that includes strength training.
Ali agreed. “These medications work by reducing hunger and slowing gastric emptying so that the patient feels full for longer,” he said.
“Most studies indicate that these medications must be taken long term, as weight is easily regained once treatment stops. It is also important to make significant dietary and lifestyle changes to see optimal results,” he noted.
