What Does Rybelsus Look Like? Plus, How to Spot Real vs. Fake Rybelsus

In the familiar routine of picking up your Rybelsus (semaglutide) prescription from your pharmacy, there’s a comforting confidence that what you receive is exactly what your healthcare provider ordered.

Yet, in the age of online deals and tempting discounts, you may come across an online ad promising Rybelsus at a significantly lower price. As enticing as this discount may seem, there’s a chance that you may not actually receive Rybelsus but, instead, something else.

Unlike the injectable forms of semaglutide that have gained popularity for weight loss, Rybelsus isn’t currently 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 Rybelsus is real, knowing what it’s supposed to look like is a good place to start.

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What does Rybelsus look like?

Rybelsus is available as an oral tablet. There are three different Rybelsus doses available: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. When you receive Rybelsus, it should be dispensed in its 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 Rybelsus bottle doesn’t match one of those indicated below, you can contact the manufacturer to confirm at 1-800-727-6500.

Good to know: Rybelsus also used to be available in a carton that contained three blister packs, each with 10 tablets. The manufacturer switched from blister packs to bottles in fall 2021. If you receive Rybelsus in blister packs, check the expiration date on the packaging.

Rybelsus 3 mg tablet

Rybelsus 3 mg tablets are white to light-yellow in color. They’re oval-shaped, with the number “3” on one side and “novo” on the other side.

When the 3 mg tablets are dispensed in their original bottle, the outer box is white with green-and-orange designs. The bottle inside is white with green coloring and has a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-4303-30.

Rybelsus 7 mg tablet

Rybelsus 7 mg tablets are also white to light-yellow in color and oval-shaped. They have the number “7” on one side and the word “novo” on the other side.

When the 7 mg tablets are dispensed in their original bottle, the outer box is white with red-and-orange designs. The bottle inside is white with red coloring and a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-4307-30.

Rybelsus 14 mg tablet

Similar to other Rybelsus tablets, the 14 mg tablet is white to light-yellow in color and oval-shaped. It has the number “14” on one side and the word “novo” on the other side.

When the 14 mg tablets are dispensed in their original bottle, the outer box is white with blue-and-orange designs. The bottle inside is white with blue coloring and a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-4314-30.

How can you tell real Rybelsus from fake Rybelsus?

After receiving your Rybelsus 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 Rybelsus. 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 Rybelsus, 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 Rybelsus. Keep in mind that Rybelsus packaged in blister packs may still be on the market, if they aren’t expired. The NDCs on these products will be different. 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 Rybelsus might be fake.

Good to know: Some websites may sell Rybelsus from countries outside of the U.S. The packaging may look different from Rybelsus sold in the U.S. What’s more, it may be against the law to buy these products. The FDA can’t guarantee their safety and effectiveness.

What can happen if you take fake Rybelsus?

Real Rybelsus has been studied during clinicals trials to show that it’s safe and effective. It’s also manufactured in an FDA-registered facility that makes and packages it correctly. Fake Rybelsus doesn’t have these same assurances.

If you take fake or counterfeit Rybelsus, 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 Rybelsus.

• 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 Rybelsus.

If you think you’ve taken fake Rybelsus, contact your healthcare provider. They can determine the best course of action.

Where can you find legitimate Rybelsus?

The best place to find legitimate Rybelsus 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 Rybelsus without a prescription is not legitimate. Rybelsus always requires a prescription from a healthcare provider.

What should you do if you receive counterfeit Rybelsus?

If you’ve inspected your Rybelsus 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 Rybelsus, 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 Rybelsus 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.

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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:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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