Taking Semaglutide: Oral Tablets vs. Injections

Is oral semaglutide as effective as the injectable version for weight loss?

A 2024 study compared the effects of oral semaglutide and injectable semaglutide on blood sugar levels and weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes. Although both forms of semaglutide were beneficial for blood sugar management and weight loss, the oral form had a slightly greater impact on blood sugar, while the injection had greater effects on weight loss.

Regardless of the form of the drug you take, your doctor will recommend that you combine it with increased physical activity and a balanced diet to experience the drug’s full effects. The drug you choose may depend on the condition you are treating and whether you are comfortable self-injecting medication.

How often do you have to take semaglutide?

How often you take semaglutide depends on the form the drug you use or take.

Semaglutide injection

You’ll typically inject semaglutide once per week, on the same day each week. Your doctor may increase your dose after 4 weeks.

It’s important not to stop taking semaglutide without discussing it with your doctor first.

For Ozempic injection

If you miss a dose of Ozempic, you should inject the missed dose as soon as you remember, as long as it has been less than 5 days since your last dose. Otherwise, you should stick to your usual dosing schedule.

• Safety tip: You should not give yourself an extra dose or a double dose of semaglutide to make up for a missed dose.

For Wegovy injection

If you miss a dose of Wegovy and your next dose is more than 2 days away, you should take the missed dose as soon as possible. Otherwise, you should skip the missed dose and stay on your regular schedule.

If you’ve missed more than 2 weeks’ worth of the medication, it’s important to contact your doctor or pharmacist. Semaglutide needs to be taken long-term to be effective for blood sugar management or weight loss.

Oral semaglutide tablets

You’ll take oral semaglutide tablets (including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus) once per day. Healthcare professionals typically recommend taking these tablets as soon as you wake up in the morning, at least 30 minutes before eating or consuming other medications, and with only a small amount of water.

If you take other medications in the morning that require an empty stomach, you’ll want to discuss this with your doctor.

Typically, you can switch from one of these medications to the other with your healthcare team’s approval and guidance. However, you may need to wait several weeks between stopping one medication and starting another to allow time for the first drug to exit the body fully and reduce the risks of side effects.

At a glance: Oral vs. injectable semaglutide

Pros and cons of oral and injection semaglutide

There are benefits and drawbacks to both oral tablets and injected semaglutide.

Oral tablets

• do not require the use of needles
• are typically taken daily
• can result in side effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain
• must be taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, without eating for 30 minutes afterward

Injections

• require the use of needles
• are typically taken once per week
• may cause side effects such as injection site reactions but may also cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, and abdominal pain
• can be taken regardless of whether you consume food or liquid beforehand or afterward

Where do you inject?

You can inject semaglutide into your upper arm, thigh, or stomach.

If you take insulin, you can inject it into the same area of your body, but you should not inject the two medications next to each other.

It’s also important to rotate the injection site after each shot to reduce the risk of skin irritation.

Can you take semaglutide for weight loss if you do not have diabetes? 

The FDA has approved Wegovy for weight loss in people with and without diabetes.

Ozempic and Rybelsus are not FDA approved to treat type 2 diabetes. However, doctors can still choose to prescribe these medications off-label for weight loss use.

Research has shown that semaglutide injections are effective for weight loss in people without diabetes. However, regardless of whether you have diabetes, you might experience side effects from semaglutide.

Takeaway

Semaglutide is a drug that the FDA has approved for weight management under the brand name Wegovy. Semaglutide is also currently available under the brand names Ozempic and Rybelsus to treat type 2 diabetes.

Research comparing the oral tablet and injectable forms of semaglutide is still fairly new. While oral tablets offer an option without needles, you need to take them in a very specific way.

If your doctor believes that you are a good candidate for semaglutide, they can help you determine the best semaglutide form for your lifestyle and health needs.