Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand-name medications Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in patients with obesity or who are overweight with other comorbidities such as high blood pressure, PCOS or obstructive sleep apnea.

Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

Ozempic and Rybelsus are not FDA-approved for weight loss. Their use to help with weight loss is off-label, meaning that weight loss is not the primary use of either of these drugs. Insurance providers generally do not offer coverage for the off-label use of prescription drugs.

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the brand name medications Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.

Ozempic and Rybelsus are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy is FDA-approved for weight loss in patients with obesity or who are overweight with other comorbidities such as high blood pressure, PCOS or obstructive sleep apnea.

Ozempic and Rybelsus are not FDA-approved to promote weight loss. The use of Ozempic and Rybelsus to help with weight loss is strictly off-label, meaning that weight loss is not the primary use of either of these drugs.

Semaglutide use has been shown to cause some mild side effects. If these adverse effects do not go away within a few days, talk to your health care provider.

Common side effects include:

• Nausea
  
• Stomach pain
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Vomiting
  
• Constipation
  
  

This is not a complete list of possible adverse effects.

If you experience an unexplained rash, swelling, stomach pain, difficulty breathing, decreased urination, changes in vision, or itchy skin while taking semaglutide, seek medical attention immediately. These are early signs of a potentially serious adverse reaction to the medication reaction.

Talk to your healthcare provider about any medication you are currently taking, or any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with before starting treatment with semaglutide.

Semaglutide is commonly administered as an injection. An initial subcutaneous (under the skin) injection of semaglutide is typically administered once a week for 4 weeks. Your provider may adjust or increase your dosage every 4 weeks – usually not exceeding more than 2.4 mg per week. These injections should be administered under the skin of the stomach, thigh, or upper arm. Use a different part of the body each time you apply an injection.

Semaglutide is available in pill form under the brand name Rybelsus. Rybelsus is used to treat type 2 diabetes. The initial dose of Rybelsus will depend on the instructions of your healthcare provider.

Do not discontinue or increase your dosage of semaglutide without consulting your healthcare provider first. Take the medication exactly as prescribed, and inform your healthcare provider if you begin to experience any side effects while taking the medication.

Semaglutide is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.

Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.

Providers on Sesame can write a prescription for semaglutide to be picked up near you – often within the same day. Don’t wait to get your prescription filled. Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your prescription ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.

Sesame does not guarantee insurance coverage for medication. If you are uninsured, please be aware that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus can be expensive, typically ranging between $950 to $1,600 per month. If you are insured, your provider can assist with insurance pre-authorization paperwork to cover the cost of your medication.

No, there are currently no generic alternatives to semaglutide. Although there are other semaglutide medications (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus) on the market, all GLP-1 agonist drugs are available only as brand-name products.

If you need assistance with navigating your options, you can schedule a online video consult with a provider through Success by Sesame, Sesame's weight loss program, to discuss the best medication for your needs.

The Success by Sesame subscription starts at just $99 per month and includes telehealth visits, unlimited messaging, and ongoing clinical care from a provider of your choice. The $99 subscription fee does not include the cost of medication.

It's important to note that brand-name GLP-1 medications like Wegovy, Zepbound or Saxenda can be expensive without insurance coverage, typically ranging between $950 to $1,600 per month out-of-pocket. If you are insured, your provider can assist with insurance pre-authorization paperwork to help reduce the cost of your medication.

Note that providers on Sesame set their own prices, which means that some providers may offer the service at a higher price.

Certain GLP-1 therapies such as semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy), liraglutide (the active ingredient in Saxenda and Victoza), and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound) may increase the likelihood of developing thyroid gland tumors, including MTC, a type of thyroid cancer. This conclusion is based on studies where laboratory animals given semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide and other GLP-1 medications developed tumors. However, it is not yet confirmed if these medications pose the same risk to humans. You can find additional information about the risks of FDA-approved medications that contain semaglutide here.

It’s important to inform your doctor if you or any family member has ever had MTC or MEN. If this is the case, your doctor will likely advise against taking GLP-1 medications.

If you are prescribed a GLP-1 medication and exhibit any of the following symptoms, you should contact your provider immediately:

• A lump or swelling in the neck
  
• Hoarseness
  
• Difficulty swallowing
  
• Shortness of breath
  
• Severe abdominal pain
  
  

Before taking GLP-1 medications, you should also discuss the following with your provider:

Allergies: Inform your doctor and pharmacist of any allergies you have to semaglutide (including under brand names Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy) or similar medications such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), dulaglutide (Trulicity), exenatide (Bydureon BCise, Byetta), liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza, or in Xultophy) and lixisenatide (Adlyxin, or in Soliqua).

Personal and family medical history: Be sure to disclose if you have a history of medical conditions like pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, gallbladder disease or kidney disease. Inform your doctor about recent episodes of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or any inability to consume liquids, which could lead to dehydration.

Current medications and supplements: Provide a comprehensive list of all medicines and supplements you are currently taking, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. This is crucial as GLP-1 medications can alter how your body absorbs oral medications.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant soon.

Surgical procedures: In the event of surgery, including dental procedures, inform the medical or dental professional that you are on GLP-1 medication.

It's essential to thoroughly discuss these risks with your healthcare provider and consider your personal and family medical history when deciding whether to use these medications. Your doctor can provide guidance on the best course of action based on your specific health situation.