Rybelsus generic: Availability, cost, and more

In this article:

• What’s the difference between Rybelsus and compounded semaglutide?
• Rybelsus vs. compounded semaglutide comparison chart
• When will a generic Rybelsus be available?
• How to save on Rybelsus

In this article

• What’s the difference between Rybelsus and compounded semaglutide?
• Rybelsus vs. compounded semaglutide comparison chart
• When will a generic Rybelsus be available?
• How to save on Rybelsus

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medication prescribed along with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It is also used to lower cardiovascular risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes who are at high risk. Rybelsus contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) agonist, the same active ingredient in the injectable drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. Like Ozempic, Rybelsus is a diabetes medication that can cause body weight reduction. But also like Ozempic, Rybelsus is not specifically approved for weight loss or weight management, even in people with obesity.

As a brand-name drug, Rybelsus can be expensive. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved generic versions of GLP-1s Victoza (liraglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide), and Byetta (exenatide), but there are no generic semaglutide drugs yet available. Here’s what you need to know about the availability of generic Rybelsus and how it compares to lower-cost compounded semaglutide.

What’s the difference between Rybelsus and compounded semaglutide?

Some people assume that compounded semaglutide is essentially a generic form of Rybelsus or Ozempic, but it’s not. There are several differences between Rybelsus and compounded semaglutide.

FDA approval

Rybelsus was approved as a diabetes treatment by the FDA in 2019. The approval process involved placebo-controlled clinical trials to prove the medication’s safety and effectiveness. Clinical trials also help identify a new drug’s common side effects and rare but serious side effects.

Compounded semaglutide is not FDA approved.

Manufacturer

Rybelsus is manufactured exclusively by the drug company Novo Nordisk, whereas compounded semaglutide may be produced by various compounding pharmacies. Compounded semaglutide is only legal to manufacture and sell when the FDA lists the commercially available product as being in shortage or in certain other rare, medically necessary cases.

Formula

Rybelsus is manufactured by the same company, in the same way, using the same ingredients every time. 

Compounded semaglutide medications are customized, so they could be made with different inactive ingredients (preservatives, binders, or dyes), or additives (such as vitamins) each time.

Dosage

Rybelsus is not an injectable GLP-1 receptor agonist like Ozempic or Wegovy. It is the only drug in its class available in oral tablet form. Taking Rybelsus involves dosages of 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg (formulation R1) OR 1.5 mg, 4 mg, or 9 mg (formulation R2). A healthcare provider should oversee dosage since taking too much can raise the risk of possible side effects such as gastroparesis, constipation, and abdominal pain. When taken with insulin or certain other diabetes drugs, Rybelsus is also more likely to cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). 

By contrast, compounded semaglutide comes in pills, sublingual tablets, and suspension (liquid) or vials that often require users to measure each dose. 

Safety

Rybelsus is FDA approved, indicating that it is generally considered safe when used for its intended purpose: lowering blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes, or for cardiovascular risk reduction. The drug label includes a warning against use in people with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) or a history or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma. The drug label also lists potential complications, such as pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, hypoglycemia, and allergic reactions.

As for compounded semaglutide, it’s not FDA approved, so there are no official boxed warnings or official lists of common side effects, even though side effects still may occur. However, the FDA has issued warnings about safety risks. The manufacturer of Zepbound and Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, has also warned about the risks of knockoff products in this drug class. Supriya Rao, MD, gastroenterologist, managing partner at Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants, says that if it’s cheaper and you can get it online, it probably is too good to be true. 

A note on compounded semaglutide availability

Compounding pharmacies were once allowed to sell compounded semaglutide because of the Rybelsus shortage, but that shortage has ended. In February 2025, the FDA issued a statement that pharmacies and outsourcing facilities needed to cease making and selling compounded semaglutide by the end of May that same year. FDA-approved Rybelsus should now be available to anyone with a valid prescription.

Mir Ali, MD, board-certified surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, says anyone considering compounded semaglutide from an overseas source should proceed with caution. “They may not get the actual medication, or worse yet, something harmful,” he says. 

Rybelsus vs. compounded semaglutide comparison chart
Differences	Rybelsus	Compounded semaglutide
FDA approval	Lowering blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk patients with Type 2 diabetes	Not FDA approved
Dosage	3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg doses (formulation R1) 1.5 mg, 4 mg, or 9 mg doses (formulation R2)	Dosage varies by type (sublingual tablets, liquid suspension, or injection) and often requires that the patient measure their own dose
Safety	Safe to take as indicated when prescribed by a healthcare provider. Has potential side effects, including serious side effects.	The FDA and the drug’s manufacturer have issued safety warnings about compounded semaglutide and the risks of knockoff products.

 

When will a generic Rybelsus be available?

“As of this time, there is no generic Rybelsus available and no projected date for a generic version,” Dr. Ali says. 

In most cases, generic drugs only become available after the brand-name drug’s patent and exclusivity rights expire. “Patent protections suggest the earliest generic entry would be closer to 2033. Timing isn’t really something clinicians can precisely predict,” Dr. Rao says.

How to save on Rybelsus

Until generic Rybelsus is available, there are still ways to save on Rybelsus without turning to compounded semaglutide products. “Insurance will be a big factor here,” Dr. Rao says. 

For those unable to get insurance coverage for Rybelsus or switch insurance plans, savings tips include asking your provider about free samples, or using a SingleCare discount card or coupon. For instance, a SingleCare coupon for Rybelsus can lower the average cash price of a one-month supply of Rybelsus (30, 7 mg tablets) from $1,355 to $874. Exact savings may depend on your location and pharmacy.

If you have questions about generic alternatives to Rybelsus or the safety risks of compounded semaglutide, seek medical advice from a healthcare provider familiar with your medical history, health conditions, and other medications. In some cases, your provider may recommend a lower-cost diabetes treatment such as metformin, a sulfonylurea such as glipizide, or another Rybelsus alternative.

The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Dec. 15, 2025. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Rybelsus coupon page for updated Rybelsus prices near you.