Key takeaways:
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medication that’s combined with a diabetes-friendly diet and regular exercise to improve blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes.
Insurance plans generally cover Rybelsus, with most requiring prior authorization or step therapy. Without insurance, 30 tablets of Rybelsus 7 mg cost around $1187.81.
There is no generic form of Rybelsus. You may be able to save money on the brand-name medication with a patient assistance program, a manufacturer’s savings card, or a GoodRx discount.
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medication that belongs to a class of medications called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. It’s taken along with a diabetes-friendly diet and regular exercise to help improve blood glucose (blood sugar) and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c or A1C) levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus is FDA approved for this use, but some healthcare professionals may also prescribe it off-label for chronic weight management.
As of October 2025, Rybelsus is also FDA approved to help lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events (such as heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death) in adults with Type 2 diabetes who are at high risk for these events, even if they haven’t had one before.
Unlike GLP-1 medications that are injected, Rybelsus is an oral pill that you take once a day. You will be prescribed either the original R1 formulation or the newer R2 formulation, which was developed with slightly different ingredients to improve absorption.
Your out-of-pocket expenses for Rybelsus may depend on factors such as your insurance status, location, and pharmacy. A generic form isn’t available. But you may be able to save on brand-name Rybelsus by using a manufacturer savings card, enrolling in a patient assistance program, or using a GoodRx discount.
How much does Rybelsus cost per month without insurance?
The manufacturer’s list price for Rybelsus as of October 2025 is $997.58 for a 1-month supply. But the retail price can be higher after wholesaler and pharmacy markups.
Without insurance or discounts, 30 tablets of Rybelsus 7 mg cost around $1187.81. The actual price you’ll pay for the medication will depend on your quantity, pharmacy choice, and other factors.
The table below shows the average retail cost for various doses and quantities of Rybelsus. The R1 formulation is available in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg doses, while the newer R2 formulation is available in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses.
Brand-name Rybelsus quantity | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 7 mg | |
30 tablets | 14 mg | |
90 tablets | 7 mg | |
90 tablets | 14 mg |
What factors affect the cost of Rybelsus?
Rybelsus is the first FDA-approved GLP-1 agonist that doesn’t need to be injected. This makes it unique in a class that includes Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and others. Many factors may affect the price of your Rybelsus prescription, including:
Location: Where you live will likely affect the cost of Rybelsus. For example, GoodRx research reveals that Little Rock, Arkansas, is the most expensive city in the U.S. for prescription medications. The most affordable city is Denver.
Pharmacy choice: Prices can vary from one pharmacy to another, even in the same neighborhood. It’s a good idea to check a few options before filling your prescription.
Insurance: Even if your health insurance plan covers Rybelsus, you may still have some out-of-pocket expenses, such as deductibles, coinsurance, or copays.
Dosage: The cost of Rybelsus can vary depending on the prescribed dosage. Typical starting dosages are 1.5 mg or 3 mg once daily. But your dosage will likely be adjusted based on your needs and how well you tolerate the medication. Higher doses may cost more.
Discounts: You might be able to save on Rybelsus with a manufacturer copay card, a patient assistance program, or a GoodRx discount.
Savings offer: If you qualify for a savings card through the manufacturer, it can reduce the amount you pay for Rybelsus.
Why you’re taking it: Rybelsus is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss in people who don’t have Type 2 diabetes. Your insurance coverage and savings program eligibility may be different if you don’t have diabetes.
Is there a generic version of Rybelsus?
Rybelsus is available only as a brand-name medication. There is no generic version on the market.
The FDA approved Rybelsus to improve blood sugar levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes in September 2019. The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, has exclusive rights to sell the medication until the patent expires in the U.S. in 2032.
Generic medications are typically cheaper than their brand-name equivalents, largely because the companies making generic versions don’t need to redo clinical trials to prove the medications are safe and effective.
Make the most of your HSA funds. Here’s how to use your health savings account (HSA) to help pay for Rybelsus and other eligible expenses.
Want more ways to save on prescription medications? Try these tips to help lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Rybelsus vs. Ozempic: Here are some differences between oral and injectable semaglutide.
Rybelsus vs. Mounjaro: If you’re living with Type 2 diabetes, your prescriber may recommend Rybelsus or Mounjaro. Here are some differences to consider.
Does insurance cover Rybelsus?
Nearly all insurance plans cover Rybelsus. Almost everyone enrolled in Medicaid, Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, and commercial insurance plans have coverage. About 9 out of 10 people with Medicare have coverage for Rybelsus.
Prior authorization is required for the vast majority of Medicare plans, as well as nearly 4 out of 5 Medicaid and ACA enrollees. About 7 out of 10 commercial plan enrollees require prior authorization. Step therapy rules (trying other medications before Rybelsus is covered) varies based on plan type.
For specific information about your coverage and approval requirements, review your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) or call your insurance company.
How different insurance plans cover Rybelsus
The table below breaks down the percentage of enrollees who have coverage for Rybelsus by insurance type. It also shows the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Rybelsus 7 mg tablet | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
96.7% | 76.2% | 35.3% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 97.2% | 67.4% | 24.6% |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 90.2% | 89.8% | 4% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.8% | 76.1% | 56.8% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of June 13, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Rybelsus, here are a few things you can try:
Ask your prescriber if there’s another medication that’s covered by your plan or that may cost less out of pocket than Rybelsus.
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. This is a special request asking them to make an exception and cover Rybelsus for you.
If your request for Rybelsus coverage is denied, you can file an appeal with your insurance provider to ask for the decision to be reversed.
During your next open enrollment, consider choosing a plan that offers better coverage for the medications you take.
Ways to save on Rybelsus
With or without insurance, there are ways you can lower the cost of Rybelsus at the pharmacy:
1. Use a GoodRx discount
You may be able to reduce the cost of your Rybelsus prescription with a GoodRx discount. Here’s what you might pay for different doses and quantities of Rybelsus when using a GoodRx discount at participating pharmacies.
Brand-name Rybelsus quantity | Dose | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|
30 tablets | 3 mg | |
30 tablets | 7 mg | |
30 tablets | 14 mg | |
90 tablets | 7 mg | |
90 tablets | 14 mg |
Here’s how to get your coupon:
Visit the GoodRx website or download the GoodRx app.
Search for “Rybelsus” and select “Find the lowest prices.”
Choose your prescribed dose and quantity.
Print your coupon or have it sent by text or email. If you’re using the app, you can show the coupon right from your phone.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you drop off your prescription to make sure you receive the discounted price and avoid delays.
2. Apply for the manufacturer’s copay savings card
A manufacturer savings card, also called a copay savings card, is a program that pharmaceutical companies offer to help reduce the amount you pay out of pocket at the pharmacy. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Rybelsus, may be able to lower the cost of your prescription through the NovoCare Savings Offer Program. Eligible people with private or commercial insurance may pay as little as $10 for a 1-, 2-, or 3-month prescription of Rybelsus.
The offer is valid for up to 48 months (4 years) from the date of enrollment and can be used at most participating retail pharmacies. Maximum savings are $300 per 1-month prescription, $600 per 2-month prescription, and $900 per 3-month prescription.
To qualify, you must:
Have commercial or private insurance that covers prescription drugs
Have a valid prescription for Rybelsus
Not be enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Veterans Affairs, or any other federal or state health program
Present the savings card along with your prescription at a participating pharmacy
Not be a fully cash-paying individual
3. Check if you qualify for the Novo Nordisk patient assistance program
A patient assistance program offers free or low-cost medication to those who qualify. Rybelsus is included in Novo Nordisk’s patient assistance program.
The eligibility criteria include:
Being a U.S. citizen or a legal resident
Meeting household income guidelines
Having Medicare or being uninsured
Not being enrolled in or qualified for a federal, state, or government assistance program like Medicaid.
Beginning in 2026, Rybelsus 7 mg and 14 mg will no longer be available through the patient assistance program.
4. Compare pharmacy prices
The cost of Rybelsus can vary widely between pharmacies, even ones close to one another. While you’re on the GoodRx app or website, you can compare the cost of Rybelsus at various pharmacies in your region to find the lowest price. You may be surprised to find the medication for a cheaper price at a pharmacy you don’t typically visit.
5. Ask your prescriber for samples
A healthcare professional may submit one request per month to Novo Nordisk for free samples of Rybelsus 3 mg tablets. But they must be a licensed practitioner who can legally prescribe medication in your state.
6. Use a tax-advantaged health account
If you have a health savings account (HSA), a flexible spending account (FSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), consider using those funds to cover the cost of Rybelsus. These accounts let you set aside pretax money for eligible medical expenses, such as prescription medications.
Keep in mind that FSA funds usually must be used by the end of the plan year, or you’ll lose them. Some employers offer a grace period or a carryover option to give you more time to spend your FSA funds. HSA funds roll over every year and are available for use anytime.
Frequently asked questions
Rybelsus is an oral tablet taken once a day on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Swallow the tablet whole with no more than 4 oz of water. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications to help your body absorb it properly. Don’t crush, split, or chew the tablet, and keep it in its original container to protect it from moisture and light.
The most common side effects of Rybelsus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These symptoms typically improve as your body adjusts to the treatment. Rare but serious side effects can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and kidney damage, so contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe or persistent symptoms.
Yes. Most side effects from Rybelsus tend to improve over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are often temporary and may ease after the first few weeks of treatment. If these side effects don’t go away or become severe, contact a healthcare professional — they may suggest ways to manage them or adjust your dose.
Rybelsus is an oral tablet taken once a day on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Swallow the tablet whole with no more than 4 oz of water. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications to help your body absorb it properly. Don’t crush, split, or chew the tablet, and keep it in its original container to protect it from moisture and light.
The most common side effects of Rybelsus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain. These symptoms typically improve as your body adjusts to the treatment. Rare but serious side effects can include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, and kidney damage, so contact a healthcare professional if you experience severe or persistent symptoms.
Yes. Most side effects from Rybelsus tend to improve over time as your body adjusts to the medication. Common symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation are often temporary and may ease after the first few weeks of treatment. If these side effects don’t go away or become severe, contact a healthcare professional — they may suggest ways to manage them or adjust your dose.
The bottom line
Without insurance or a GoodRx discount, 30 tablets of Rybelsus (semaglutide) 7 mg cost an average of $1187.81. But what you’ll pay for the medication can depend on your insurance plan, the pharmacy you choose, and other factors.
If you have private insurance, you may qualify for the manufacturer’s savings coupon, which can reduce your costs to as little as $10 per month. If you’re uninsured and meet eligibility criteria, the Novo Nordisk patient assistance program may provide Rybelsus for free.
You can also lower the cost of Rybelsus by using a free GoodRx discount or comparing prices at different pharmacies. Other money-saving options include requesting samples from your prescriber or using your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to help cover the cost of your prescription.
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References
Mahapatra, M. K., et al. (2022). Semaglutide, a glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist with cardiovascular benefits for management of type 2 diabetes. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
NovoCare. (n.d.). 2026 eligibility criteria and additional information.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Diabetes savings offer program.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Find out the cost for Rybelsus.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Patient Assistance Program.
Novo Nordisk. (n.d.). Annual report 2023.
Novo Nordisk. (n.d.). Request product samples.
Novo Nordisk. (2024). Rybelsus- oral semaglutide tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Novo Nordisk. (2025). FDA approves Novo Nordisk’s oral semaglutide for cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes who are at high risk, including those who have not had a prior CV event. PR Newswire.
