Key takeaways:
The Ozempic (semaglutide) pill is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. If you purchase Ozempic pills online, there’s a chance they might not be the real thing.
Each Ozempic tablet is white to light yellow in color and round in shape. One side of the tablet says “novo,” while the other side has a number; either 1.5, 4, or 9, depending on the dose.
If your Ozempic tablets look different than we’ve described, or if you receive capsules, they’re not real Ozempic. You should also check the medication’s packaging for any differences.
With GoodRx, you can access the Ozempic pill starting at $149 per month. Manufacturer copay savings cards are also available.
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In the familiar routine of picking up your Ozempic (semaglutide) pill prescription from your pharmacy, there’s a comforting confidence that what you receive is exactly what your prescriber ordered.
Yet, in the age of online deals and tempting discounts, you may come across an online ad promising Ozempic pills at a significantly lower price. As enticing as this discount may seem, there’s a chance that you may not actually receive Ozempic, but, instead, something else.
Ozempic pills are a newer option for Type 2 diabetes and have never been in shortage. Even so, fake versions may be sold online, claiming to be the same medication — or better. You may even encounter compounded semaglutide, which has its own risks. If you’re not sure if your Ozempic pills are real, knowing what they’re supposed to look like is a good place to start.
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Good to know: Oral semaglutide was initially sold under the brand name Rybelsus. But Rybelsus is now being discontinued and replaced by the Ozempic pill, which has been formulated to improve absorption.
What do Ozempic pills look like?
Ozempic is available as an oral tablet. It comes in three doses: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses. When you receive Ozempic pills, they should be dispensed in their original bottle (not a typical prescription bottle).
Each bottle should have a specific national drug code (NDC) printed on it. This number helps identify the particular product. If the NDC on your Ozempic bottle doesn’t match one of those indicated below, you can contact the manufacturer to confirm at 1-800-727-6500.
Ozempic 1.5 mg tablet
Ozempic 1.5 mg tablets are white to light yellow in color. They’re round, with the number “1.5” on one side and “novo” on the other side.
The outer box packaging is white with green-and-orange designs. It also says “New Formulation of semaglutide” on the packaging. The bottle inside is white with green coloring and has a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-1715-30.
Ozempic 4 mg tablet
Ozempic 4 mg tablets are white to light yellow in color. They’re round, with the number “4” on one side and “novo” on the other side.
The outer box packaging is white with red-and-orange designs and says “New Formulation of semaglutide” on the packaging. The bottle inside is white with red coloring and a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-1704-30.
Ozempic 9 mg tablet
Ozempic 9 mg tablets are white to light yellow in color. They’re round, with the number “9” on one side and “novo” on the other side.
The outer box packaging is white with blue-and-orange designs and says “New Formulation of semaglutide” on the packaging. The bottle inside is white with blue coloring and a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-1709-30.
How can you tell real Ozempic pills from fakes?
After receiving your Ozempic prescription, it’s a good idea to inspect the packaging and the pills inside the bottle. Do they look the same as the photos featured above or on the manufacturer’s website? If yes, it’s likely real Ozempic. If you’re not sure, here are a few red flags to look for:
Check the pills: Does the bottle contain tablets or capsules? If you received capsules, they’re not real Ozempic pills, and it’s possible that you have compounded semaglutide instead. And if you received tablets, but they don’t have the correct markings, they’re fake.
Check the NDC: Do the NDCs on the box and bottle match one of those listed above? If not, the medication you received may not be real Ozempic. Contact the manufacturer at 1-800-727-6500 to confirm.
Check the box and bottle: Do the colors, designs, and wording match those on the examples above or on the manufacturer’s website? If not, your Ozempic pills might be fake.
Keep in mind that some websites may sell Ozempic pills from countries outside of the U.S. The packaging may look different from the product sold in the U.S. It may also be against the law to buy these products. The FDA can’t guarantee their safety or how well they work.
What can happen if you take fake Ozempic pills?
Real Ozempic pills have been studied during clinical trials to show that they’re safe and work well. They’re also manufactured in an FDA-registered facility that makes and packages them correctly. Fake Ozempic pills don’t have these same assurances.
If you take fake or counterfeit Ozempic, there are several risks, including:
It may contain an incorrect amount of semaglutide, or none at all.
It may contain additional ingredients that aren’t found in real Ozempic.
It may have a higher risk of being contaminated.
It may not be stored in appropriate packaging to maintain the medication’s potency.
It may be missing a key ingredient that helps you absorb semaglutide.
If you think you’ve taken fake Ozempic pills, contact your healthcare team. They can determine the best course of action.
Where to buy Ozempic pills
The best place to buy legitimate Ozempic pills is at your local pharmacy. There are also online pharmacies that have been vetted for legitimacy, such as those accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or certified through LegitScript. You can also use NABP’s Safe Site Search tool to find a pharmacy.
Keep in mind that any website or online pharmacy that will sell you Ozempic pills without a prescription is not legitimate. Ozempic always requires a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.
What should you do if you receive counterfeit Ozempic pills?
If you’ve inspected your Ozempic prescription and it appears to be fake, don’t take it. It’s also a good idea to report it so other people aren’t harmed by counterfeit products.
Report it to the manufacturer: Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, takes counterfeit versions of its products seriously. You can report the issue by calling its customer care number at 1-800-727-6500. Assistance is available from 8:30AM to 6PM (ET), Monday through Friday.
Report it to the FDA: If you purchased Ozempic pills online, the FDA has a form that you can submit to report the counterfeit product.
Report an online pharmacy to NABP: NABP looks into suspicious online pharmacies. If they don’t appear to comply with safety and pharmacy practice standards, they’re added to a “Not Recommended” list. You can report a suspicious online pharmacy or website here.
Frequently asked questions
Ozempic pills come in a bottle that’s designed to protect them from humidity. If the tablets are exposed to moisture, the medication may not work as well. This is why you should keep the tablets in their original bottle — not in a pill organizer or other container.
Ozempic pills contain the active ingredient, semaglutide. But there are no FDA-approved generic versions available at this time. Because oral Ozempic is a newer brand-name medication, it may be several years before a generic can be marketed.
Ozempic pills come in a bottle that’s designed to protect them from humidity. If the tablets are exposed to moisture, the medication may not work as well. This is why you should keep the tablets in their original bottle — not in a pill organizer or other container.
Ozempic pills contain the active ingredient, semaglutide. But there are no FDA-approved generic versions available at this time. Because oral Ozempic is a newer brand-name medication, it may be several years before a generic can be marketed.
The bottom line
The Ozempic (semaglutide) pill is an oral Type 2 diabetes medication. It’s available in three doses: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg. Ozempic pills should be dispensed to you in their original bottle.
Especially if you buy Ozempic pills online, it’s a good idea to inspect the product’s packaging and contents before taking it. If anything looks different from the images above or on the manufacturer’s website, your Ozempic might be fake. You can contact the manufacturer to confirm and report any counterfeit products.
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References
Freed, M., et al. (2024). FAQs on prescription drug importation. KFF.
LegitScript. (n.d.). See if a website is certified.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. (n.d.). Accredited digital pharmacies.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. (n.d.). Report a suspicious site.
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. (n.d.). Verify before you buy.
Novo Nordisk. (2021). New packaging, same Rybelsus: Rybelsus is making the switch from blister packs to bottles in fall of 2021.
Novo Nordisk. (2023). Company statement: Novo Nordisk warns of counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide injection) pen found in US.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet [package insert].
Rybelsus. (n.d.). What to expect with Rybelsus (semaglutide) tablets.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2025). Personal importation. Novo Nordisk.
