New Ozempic Oral Tablet Now Available for Type 2 Diabetes: What to Know

A new pill version of the popular GLP-1 drug Ozempic is now on the market in the United States for adults with type 2 diabetes.

Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic, announced that the oral tablet became available on May 4. This pill replaces the company’s previous daily medication Rybelsus, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved for type 2 diabetes in 2019 in 3 milligram (mg), 7 mg, and 14 mg doses.

The new Ozempic daily pill is a reformulated version of Rybelsus. It comes in three dose strengths: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg. Company officials say the new formula provides the same safety and effectiveness as the original, but at a lower dose.

Ozempic will continue to be sold as a weekly injection for diabetes treatment. It is also commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss.

This marks the third GLP-1 drug to win approval as a pill in 2025. In January, the FDA approved another Novo Nordisk product, Wegovy, as an oral tablet for weight management. In April, the FDA also approved Eli Lilly’s medication Foundayo in pill form for weight management, but ordered the company to study possible risks to the heart, liver, and other organs.

Novo Nordisk officials expect a decision from federal regulators on a 25 mg Ozempic tablet dose by the end of 2026. They say the new pill gives patients more choices.

“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 Dr. Michael Radin, 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.

Dr. Pouya Shafipour, 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 appeal to many people who dislike needles.

“A lot of people are needle-averse,” Shafipour told Healthline. “Over the long term, a lot of people get tired of poking themselves.”

Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, said the new Ozempic-branded pill is significant because it “carries greater name recognition.”

To get the new Ozempic pill, a person needs a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and a prescription. Novo Nordisk says the oral tablet will be available at more than 70,000 pharmacies across the United States.

The company adds that the Ozempic pill will be covered by insurance for most patients with type 2 diabetes, with a copay as low as $25 for a three-month prescription. For those who do not want to use insurance, the tablets can be purchased through the NovoCare Pharmacy or certain telehealth providers for $149 per month for the 1.5 mg starting dose, $199 per month for the 4 mg pills, and $299 per month for the 9 mg pills.

Company officials say the Ozempic pill helps improve blood sugar levels when used along with a healthy diet and daily exercise. They also note that the pill has been shown to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, or death, in people who are at high risk for these problems.

Radin stressed 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.

Like the injection, the Ozempic pill can cause side effects. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, and constipation.

Shafipour said more GLP-1 medications may become available in pill form as scientists solve what he called the “absorption issue.” Injections go directly into the bloodstream and are absorbed quickly, while pills take longer to absorb, so higher doses have been needed for the same effect. Higher doses can lead to more side effects and less weight loss success, he explained. A pill in smaller doses may reduce those risks.

Ali said he expects to see more 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 listed several advantages of a pill form. Many people are more comfortable taking a pill than using a needle. Pills are also more convenient for travel because they do not need to be refrigerated like injections. Pills are generally less expensive as well.

However, Shafipour noted that some people prefer the injection because it only needs to be taken once a week. There is also a requirement that GLP-1 oral medications be taken on an empty stomach.

Ali agreed that both forms have pros and cons. “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 on their own. Experts say it is important for people taking these drugs to also adopt healthy lifestyle habits.

Shafipour advised people to talk with their doctor to develop a plan before starting medication. “People should realize that these are long-term drugs,” he said. He pointed out that the body can adapt to medications, so they may become less effective over time for weight loss and blood sugar control. That is why it is important to eat a healthy, protein-rich diet and 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.”

Source: Healthline