Rybelsus vs Ozempic: Are They the Same?

Both Rybelsus and Ozempic are FDA-approved prescription drugs that are used to lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These brand name medications contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but there are some key differences between them. Rybelsus is taken by mouth, and Ozempic is an injectable drug for blood sugar management. Please continue reading to find out more about Rybelsus versus Ozempic. 

What is Rybelsus?

Rybelsus is a brand name product for the generic drug semaglutide. It is used to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes in combination with a healthy diet and exercise program. (Read: “Semaglutide for Weight Loss: How It Works”)

Rybelsus comes as a tablet that can be taken by mouth once a day in the morning on an empty stomach, preferably at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or using any other medications. 

Find out: What Is The Difference Between Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes? 

What is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand name product for the generic drug semaglutide. It is used to manage blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes in combination with healthy lifestyle changes such as a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Ozempic is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death in people with type 2 diabetes who have heart disease or blood vessel disease. 

Ozempic comes as a solution in a prefilled dosing pen to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) once a week. It may be used alone or with other medications to treat type 2 diabetes. Find out: Is Semaglutide Safe? What You Need to Know.

What are the differences between Rybelsus vs Ozempic?

The main differences between Rybelsus and Ozempic are listed below.

Which is better: Rybelsus vs Ozempic?

No head-to-head studies have been done comparing once-daily oral semaglutide (Rybelsus tablets) at doses of 7 milligrams (mg) and 14 mg with once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide (Ozempic injections) at doses of 0.5 mg and 1 mg. However, separate studies have found that both Rybelsus and Ozempic are equally effective in achieving blood sugar control and weight reduction. 

A 2021 study found that in people with type 2 diabetes controlled with diet and exercise:

• The maximum dose of subcutaneous semaglutide injection (Ozempic dosage 1 mg once weekly) led to a reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels by 1.5% in 30 weeks.

• The maximum dose of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus dosage 14 mg) led to a reduction in HbA1c levels by 1.4% in 26 weeks. 

Weight loss achieved in Rybelsus vs Ozempic was also similar, at 9.9 pounds and 8.2 pounds, respectively. Find out: How Much Weight Can You Lose on Wegovy?

Note: Rybelsus (oral form) and Ozempic (injectable form) are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for medical or cosmetic weight loss. A third form, Wegovy, which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, is FDA-approved to help obese and overweight individuals achieve their weight loss goals. Check out: “Ozempic for Weight Loss: Does It Really Work?”

What are the similarities between Rybelsus and Ozempic?

There are many similarities between Rybelsus and Ozempic:

Rybelsus vs Ozempic Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rybelsus work as well as Ozempic?

No head-to-head studies have been done comparing Rybelsus vs Ozempic in terms of efficacy in controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, separate studies have found that both medications are equally effective and achieve similar reductions in average blood glucose levels. Find out the best diabetes drug for weight loss.

Can you lose weight on Rybelsus?

You may lose weight on Rybelsus. This medication is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and slows the movement of food through the stomach. It increases feelings of satiety, leading to a decreased appetite and reduced caloric intake, which helps with weight loss. However, Rybelsus is not FDA-approved for weight management. 

If you do not have diabetes and want to take medication for weight loss, talk to your doctor about a treatment plan with Wegovy, which also contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Wegovy is approved by the FDA for chronic weight management. Choosing between Ozempic vs Wegovy for Weight Loss? Find out key differences.

What is better than Ozempic for weight loss?

Ozempic is not for chronic weight management. A similar medication, Wegovy, which also contains semaglutide as the active ingredient, is FDA-approved to aid weight loss. Wegovy is dosed differently than Ozempic (the maximum dose of Wegovy is 2.4 mg while that of Ozempic is 2 mg). If you haven’t been able to lose weight with lifestyle changes, talk to your doctor to see if you qualify for Wegovy to achieve your weight loss goals. Find out how to get a Wegovy prescription.

Is Mounjaro better than Rybelsus for weight loss?

Neither Mounjaro nor Rybelsus are indicated for weight loss. Mounjaro (generic drug: tirzepatide injection) is a dual GIP and GLP-1 agonist that is used, along with diet and exercise, to improve blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus (generic drug: oral semaglutide) is a GLP-1 agonist that is used for the same purpose. If you want to take medications to help with weight loss, talk to your doctor about taking Zepbound (tirzepatide injection) or Wegovy (semaglutide injection), which are similar medications that are approved for weight reduction. Find out: “What is the Best Injection for Weight Loss?”

Read: Mounjaro vs Ozempic: Weight Loss Drugs Compared

Rybelsus vs Ozempic: Which is right for me?

The key differences between Rybelsus vs Ozempic are the method of administration (oral vs injection) and the frequency of dosing (daily vs weekly).

Both once-daily oral Rybelsus and once-weekly injectable Ozempic are equally effective and achieve similar blood glucose levels. The cost of these two medications is also comparable, ranging between $900 to $1,100 for a month’s supply without insurance coverage. 

Therefore, the choice between Rybelsus vs Ozempic comes down to factors such as personal preference, your health history, and other medical conditions. Doctors may prescribe Rybelsus to people who prefer taking oral medications. Others may prefer to inject Ozempic into the upper arm, thigh, or abdomen with the convenience of once-weekly dosing. Learn more: “How Much Do Weight Loss Injections Cost?”

Make sure you understand how to properly take whichever medication your doctor prescribes. If you are taking Rybelsus, do not split, crush, or chew Rybelsus tablets. If you are injecting Ozempic, make sure you rotate areas to avoid injection site reactions.

Check out our blog: “Semaglutide Tablets vs Injection: Which Is Best?”