Key takeaways:
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medication used to treat Type 2 diabetes. While Rybelsus isn’t currently in shortage, demand for medications in its class has grown. If you purchase Rybelsus online, there’s a chance it might not be the real thing.
Rybelsus tablets are available in two formulations. The R1 formulation comes in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg doses. The R2 formulation comes in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses.
Each Rybelsus tablet is white to light yellow in color. The R1 tablets are oval shaped, while the R2 tablets are round. One side of the tablet says “novo,” while the other side has the number 1.5, 3, 4, 7, 9, or 14, depending on the dose.
If your Rybelsus tablets look different than we’ve described, or if you receive capsules, they’re not real Rybelsus. You should also check the medication’s packaging for any differences
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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 prescriber 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 hasn’t 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 Rybelsus is real, knowing what Rybelsus looks like is a good place to start.
What does Rybelsus look like?
Rybelsus is available as an oral tablet. It comes in two different formulations: R1 and R2. The R1 formulation comes in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg doses. The R2 formulation comes in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses. 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.
R1 formulation
The R1 formulation of Rybelsus is the original tablet formulation of oral semaglutide.
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.
Rybelsus side effects: Do you experience nausea after taking Rybelsus (semaglutide)? Learn about potential semaglutide side effects and how to manage them.
Pills vs. injection: Rybelsus and Ozempic both contain semaglutide. But one is a daily pill, and the other is a once-weekly injection. Here’s how Rybelsus and Ozempic compare.
Oral semaglutide for weight loss: Oral semaglutide may soon become an option for weight loss. Learn about the latest clinical trial results and the expected timeline for FDA approval.
R2 formulation
The R2 formulation of Rybelsus is designed to have improved absorption, allowing a similar effect at lower doses.
Rybelsus 1.5 mg tablet
Rybelsus 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.
Similar to Rybelsus 3 mg tablets, the outer box is white with green-and-orange designs. But it says “New Formulation (Formulation R2)” 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: 0169-4815-30.
Rybelsus 4 mg tablet
Rybelsus 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.
Similar to Rybelsus 7 mg tablets, the outer box is white with red-and-orange designs. But it says “New Formulation (Formulation R2)” on the packaging. The bottle inside is white with red coloring and a blue cap. The NDC on the box and bottle should be: 0169-4804-30.
Rybelsus 9 mg tablet
Rybelsus 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.
Similar to Rybelsus 14 mg tablets, 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: 0169-4809-30.
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.
Keep in mind that 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 team. They can determine the best course of action.
Where to buy Rybelsus
The best place to buy 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 licensed healthcare professional.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Rybelsus comes in a bottle that’s designed to protect the tablets 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.
Rybelsus contains the active ingredient, semaglutide. But there are no FDA-approved generic versions available at this time. Because Rybelsus is a newer brand-name medication, it may be several years before a generic can be marketed.
Rybelsus pills come in two formulations: R1 and R2. The R1 tablets are oval-shaped, while the newer R2 tablets are round.
Rybelsus comes in a bottle that’s designed to protect the tablets 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.
Rybelsus contains the active ingredient, semaglutide. But there are no FDA-approved generic versions available at this time. Because Rybelsus is a newer brand-name medication, it may be several years before a generic can be marketed.
Rybelsus pills come in two formulations: R1 and R2. The R1 tablets are oval-shaped, while the newer R2 tablets are round.
The bottom line
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral Type 2 diabetes medication. It’s available in two formulations: R1 and R2. The R1 tablets come in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg doses. The R2 tablets come in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg doses. Rybelsus tablets should be dispensed to you in their original bottle.
Especially if you buy Rybelsus 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 Rybelsus might be fake. You can contact the manufacturer to confirm and report any counterfeit products.
Why trust our experts?
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.
NovoCare. (n.d.). Contact us. Novo Nordisk.
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.
