Ozempic Isn’t a Biologic, It’s a Peptide: Here’s Exactly What That Means

Whether you or someone you know has been prescribed Ozempic (semaglutide), or you’ve read about it online, Ozempic has become a household name for many. And because of this, you may have heard all about Ozempic’s side effects, how it works, and more.

But what exactly is Ozempic? Does it belong to a special category of medications, like biologics, or is it considered just a regular drug? The short answer: Ozempic falls somewhere in between. It’s not exactly a biologic. And it’s different from many other medications found at the pharmacy, too. We explain why below.

Is Ozempic a biologic?

No. Ozempic isn’t considered a biologic.

Promotional Disclosureinfo_outlined

SPECIAL OFFER

Save every month on GLP-1 meds with GoodRx

Save an average of $235 on FDA-approved GLP-1s like Ozempic and Zepbound.

Get Savings

Biologics are large, complex molecules that come from living sources. They’re usually given as injections or infusions. They also go through a special approval process with the FDA before hitting the market. And instead of generics, biologics have biosimilars. Common biologic examples include insulins, vaccines, and certain injections for cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Even though it’s not a biologic, Ozempic has a few similarities with biologics, including:

• How it’s made: Biologics are often made using recombinant DNA technology. This is when DNA molecules are engineered to have desired features, copied by living cells, then modified and purified. Ozempic is made using a similar process.

• How it’s absorbed: Similar to biologics, medications like Ozempic usually aren’t absorbed very well if you take them by mouth. This is due to their size and how they’re broken down in the stomach, which is why they usually come as injectables. However, researchers have found a way around this with Rybelsus, an oral version of Ozempic. Oral biologics, on the other hand, are still a work in progress.

Promotion disclosure

credit_cardSponsored copay cardSubject to eligibility

Ozempic

Avg retail price

$1156.01(Save 97.84%)

Copay card

$25.00

Compare all prices

Due to its chemical structure, Ozempic is actually considered a peptide. But what exactly is a peptide?

What are peptides?

When it comes to medications, the FDA defines peptides as compounds that have a chain of 40 or fewer amino acids (protein building blocks). Longer amino acid chains are considered proteins. And proteins fall under the category of biologics. One exception are peptide vaccines, which meet the definition of a biologic.

Ozempic has a chain of 31 amino acids, which is why it’s considered a peptide and not a biologic. Because of this, Ozempic was approved and is regulated through the same pathway as most other medications, such as blood pressure pills. This also means that in the future, generic versions of Ozempic — instead of biosimilars — can be made available.

Ozempic belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. These medications work by acting like a gut hormone called GLP-1. Most other medications in this class are also considered peptides.

Are all GLP-1 agonists considered peptides?

Not necessarily. Most of the FDA-approved GLP-1 agonists on the market are peptides. But there are several non-peptide GLP-1 agonists in clinical trials that may be approved in coming years. Examples include danuglipron and orforglipron.

Danuglipron and orforglipron aren’t peptides. And they aren’t made the same way as medications like Ozempic, either. Instead, they’re made by combining different chemicals together. This is similar to how most other medications are made.

Peptides such as Ozempic are made to look very similar to the GLP-1 found in the human body, but with a few tweaks to make it last longer. Danuglipron and orforglipron don’t mimic human GLP-1 in the same way, but they activate similar targets in the body.

What are some examples of peptides?

There are several peptides available on the market. Some of them are FDA-approved medications used to treat conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, chronic weight management, constipation, and more. Examples of FDA-approved peptides include:

• Liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda)

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

• Setmelanotide (Imcivree)

• Plecanatide (Trulance)

• Bremelanotide (Vyleesi)

Good to know: Unapproved, experimental peptide injections are also sold online. They’re often advertised for performance enhancement, weight loss, or other uses. We don’t have research on their safety and effectiveness, and they may not be intended for human use. Examples of these experimental peptides include BPC-157, ipamorelin, and research-grade versions of semaglutide (Ozempic’s active ingredient).

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts