/ module 01
Brand vs generic vs compounded.
There is no FDA-approved generic semaglutide. What you see online is either branded Novo Nordisk product or compounded by a 503A/503B pharmacy. Here's the difference.
Most prescribed
Brand
Wegovy
Novo Nordisk
Indication: Chronic weight management
Form: SC injection
Doses: 0.25 → 2.4 mg/wk
FDA: Approved 2021
Cash price
$1,349/mo
Highest dose available; insurance often denies for non-T2D.
Brand
Ozempic
Novo Nordisk
Indication: Type 2 diabetes
Form: SC injection
Doses: 0.25 → 2.0 mg/wk
FDA: Approved 2017
Cash price
$968/mo
Off-label use for weight loss extremely common.
Oral
Rybelsus
Novo Nordisk
Indication: Type 2 diabetes
Form: Oral tablet
Doses: 3 → 14 mg/day
FDA: Approved 2019
Cash price
$968/mo
Take fasting with ≤ 4 oz water; 30 min before food.
Compounded
Compounded Semaglutide
503A/503B Pharmacies
Indication: Off-label
Form: SC injection
Doses: Custom (typically 0.25 → 2.5 mg/wk)
FDA: Not FDA-approved
Cash price
$199–$450/mo
Legal during shortage status (resolved Feb 2025). Quality varies — verify pharmacy accreditation.
Quick reference matrix
| name | type | indication | form | doses | fda | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Brand | Chronic weight management | SC injection | 0.25 → 2.4 mg/wk | Approved 2021 | $1,349/mo |
| Ozempic | Brand | Type 2 diabetes | SC injection | 0.25 → 2.0 mg/wk | Approved 2017 | $968/mo |
| Rybelsus | Oral | Type 2 diabetes | Oral tablet | 3 → 14 mg/day | Approved 2019 | $968/mo |
| Compounded Semaglutide | Compounded | Off-label | SC injection | Custom (typically 0.25 → 2.5 mg/wk) | Not FDA-approved | $199–$450/mo |
/ note
The FDA shortage of semaglutide was officially resolved on February 21, 2025. As of that date, large-scale compounding under §503B is no longer permitted, though patient-specific 503A compounding continues under prescriber discretion.