Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist: Brand Name and Generic
Semaglutide (brand name: Rybelsus) is currently the only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist available. 1
Available Formulation
- Generic name: Semaglutide (oral formulation)
- Brand name: Rybelsus 1
- Dosing: Available in 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg tablets, administered once daily 2
Important Context About GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
All other GLP-1 receptor agonists currently approved require subcutaneous injection and are NOT available in oral formulations 3:
Injectable GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (for reference):
- Exenatide (Byetta - twice daily; Bydureon - once weekly) 4, 5
- Liraglutide (Victoza - once daily) 6, 5
- Lixisenatide (Adlyxin - once daily) 5, 7
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity - once weekly) 3, 5
- Albiglutide (Tanzeum - once weekly, though discontinued in some markets) 5, 7
- Semaglutide injectable (Ozempic - once weekly) 2, 7
Clinical Efficacy of Oral Semaglutide
Oral semaglutide demonstrated superior glycemic control compared to several other diabetes medications 2:
- Non-inferior to liraglutide (injectable GLP-1 RA) for HbA1c reduction 2
- Superior to empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and dulaglutide for HbA1c reduction 2
- Significant body weight reduction compared to placebo, sitagliptin, and liraglutide 2
The PIONEER 6 cardiovascular outcomes trial demonstrated favorable cardiovascular safety with significant reductions in cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality versus placebo 2.
Administration Considerations
Oral semaglutide requires specific administration instructions to optimize absorption 2:
- Must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 120 mL (4 oz) of water
- No food, beverages, or other oral medications for at least 30 minutes after administration
- This unique absorption requirement distinguishes it from all other oral diabetes medications