Novo Nordisk makes more GLP-1 medicines than any other company. For weight loss its flagship is Wegovy (semaglutide), now sold as both an injection and a new pill, with Saxenda (liraglutide) as the older option. Ozempic, Rybelsus and Victoza are diabetes drugs often used off-label, and CagriSema is the major pipeline candidate.
Which Novo Nordisk drugs are approved for weight loss?
Two Novo Nordisk products carry an FDA obesity indication: Wegovy and Saxenda. Everything else in the portfolio is approved for diabetes, even though it contains the same molecules.
Wegovy (semaglutide) — injection and the new pill
Wegovy is semaglutide dosed for chronic weight management. The FDA approved the once-weekly injection on June 4, 2021, and in March 2024 added an indication to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and established heart disease (Novo Nordisk).
In December 2025, the FDA approved an oral Wegovy — once-daily semaglutide 25 mg — making it the first GLP-1 pill cleared for weight management. In the OASIS 4 trial, adherent participants lost about 16.6% of body weight, similar to the injection (Novo Nordisk). See oral Wegovy vs injectable Wegovy and our full Wegovy guide.
Saxenda (liraglutide) — the original obesity GLP-1
Saxenda is a once-daily liraglutide injection approved on December 23, 2014 — Novo's first weight-loss GLP-1. It produces more modest weight loss than semaglutide and requires daily dosing, so it has largely been overshadowed by Wegovy. Details are in our Saxenda (liraglutide) guide.
Which Novo Nordisk GLP-1 drugs are for diabetes?
Three Novo products are approved for type 2 diabetes rather than obesity. They are frequently prescribed off-label for weight, but their labels and dosing differ from the obesity brands.
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Ozempic is once-weekly injectable semaglutide, approved December 5, 2017 for type 2 diabetes, with later indications to reduce cardiovascular and kidney risk. It uses lower maximum doses than Wegovy. Our Ozempic guide explains the differences.
Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
Rybelsus is the original oral semaglutide tablet, approved September 20, 2019 for type 2 diabetes. Unlike the new oral Wegovy, Rybelsus must be taken on an empty stomach with a small sip of water and then a 30-minute wait before eating. See the Rybelsus guide.
Victoza (liraglutide)
Victoza is once-daily liraglutide for type 2 diabetes, approved January 25, 2010 — Novo's first GLP-1 product. It shares its molecule with Saxenda but at lower doses. More in the Victoza guide.
Novo Nordisk GLP-1 product comparison
| Product | Molecule | Indication | Form | Dosing | First approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy | Semaglutide | Obesity; CV risk | Injection or pill | Weekly / daily | 2021 |
| Ozempic | Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes | Injection | Weekly | 2017 |
| Rybelsus | Semaglutide | Type 2 diabetes | Pill | Daily | 2019 |
| Saxenda | Liraglutide | Obesity | Injection | Daily | 2014 |
| Victoza | Liraglutide | Type 2 diabetes | Injection | Daily | 2010 |
| CagriSema | Cagrilintide + semaglutide | Obesity (pending) | Injection | Weekly | Filed 2025 |
What is CagriSema, Novo's next weight-loss drug?
CagriSema combines semaglutide with cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, in one weekly injection. Pairing a GLP-1 with an amylin agonist targets appetite through two pathways at once.
Novo Nordisk filed a New Drug Application with the FDA on December 18, 2025. In the REDEFINE 1 trial, CagriSema produced about 22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks, versus roughly 16% for semaglutide alone (Novo Nordisk). A decision is expected around late 2026. Read more in our CagriSema guide.
How do Novo's GLP-1 products differ from each other?
The portfolio splits cleanly. Semaglutide is the newer, more potent molecule (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus); liraglutide is the older one (Saxenda, Victoza). Within each molecule, the obesity brands use higher doses than the diabetes brands. Form matters too: Wegovy and Saxenda inject, Rybelsus and oral Wegovy are pills. For a wider view of the whole class, see our GLP-1 receptor agonist drug list.
How much weight do Novo's GLP-1 drugs produce?
Efficacy rises with the molecule and dose. In the STEP 1 trial, weekly Wegovy produced about 15% average body-weight loss over 68 weeks, while Saxenda's liraglutide typically delivers high-single-digit percentages. Ozempic and Rybelsus, dosed for diabetes, generally produce less weight loss than Wegovy because their maximum doses are lower. The investigational CagriSema combination pushed average loss above 20% in trials. As always, real-world results vary with dose, adherence and lifestyle.
What side effects do Novo's GLP-1 drugs cause?
Across the semaglutide and liraglutide products, the most common side effects are gastrointestinal — nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation — especially during dose escalation, and they usually ease over time. All carry the class boxed warning for thyroid C-cell tumors and are contraindicated in people with a history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2. Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease and, rarely, vision changes have also been reported. The daily products (Saxenda, Victoza) and the oral tablets require more frequent dosing than the weekly injections.
How do you access Novo's GLP-1 drugs, and what do they cost?
List prices for Wegovy and Ozempic run into four figures per month, but Novo's NovoCare savings programs, insurance coverage and self-pay options can lower out-of-pocket costs. Supply has been tighter for the obesity brands than the diabetes ones at various points. Because pricing shifts often, check current numbers in our cheapest GLP-1 comparison.
What is cagrilintide, and why does it matter?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analogue — not a GLP-1 itself, but the partner molecule in CagriSema. Amylin is a hormone co-secreted with insulin that promotes fullness and slows gastric emptying. Pairing an amylin agonist with semaglutide is Novo's strategy for pushing weight loss beyond what GLP-1 alone can achieve, and it reflects the industry-wide move toward multi-hormone combinations. Learn more in our amylin agonist guide.
How does Novo's lineup compare to Eli Lilly's?
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominate the GLP-1 market, but their strategies differ. Novo built its lead on semaglutide and is doubling down on combinations like CagriSema and on oral delivery. Lilly counters with the dual agonist tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) and the triple agonist retatrutide, which have posted larger average weight loss in trials. The result is a genuine two-horse race, with oral pills now available from both. For the other side of that rivalry, see our breakdown of Eli Lilly's GLP-1 products.
How do you choose the right Novo Nordisk drug?
The starting point is your diagnosis. If you have type 2 diabetes, Ozempic, Rybelsus or Victoza are the labeled choices, and a prescriber will weigh blood-sugar targets, cardiovascular and kidney risk, and whether you prefer a weekly injection or a daily pill. If your goal is weight management, Wegovy (injection or pill) and Saxenda carry the obesity indication, with Wegovy generally producing more weight loss than the older liraglutide. Insurance is often the deciding factor, since coverage for obesity drugs is patchier than for diabetes drugs. Many people are prescribed a diabetes-labeled semaglutide off-label for weight, but that is a clinical decision for a licensed provider, not a default. None of these should be started, stopped or switched without medical guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Ozempic and Wegovy the same drug?
Both are semaglutide made by Novo Nordisk, but they are different brands. Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes; Wegovy is approved for weight management and uses a higher maximum dose.
Does Novo Nordisk make a GLP-1 pill?
Yes — two. Rybelsus is oral semaglutide for diabetes, and the oral Wegovy (semaglutide 25 mg), approved in December 2025, is the first GLP-1 pill for weight management.
Is CagriSema approved yet?
No. As of mid-2026 CagriSema is under FDA review after a filing in December 2025. It is not yet available by prescription.
Which Novo Nordisk drug causes the most weight loss?
In trials, semaglutide products (Wegovy) outperform liraglutide products (Saxenda), and the investigational CagriSema combination produced more weight loss than semaglutide alone.
This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
References
- Wilding JPH et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med 2021 — PubMed — Semaglutide 2.4 mg (Wegovy) produced a mean weight change of -14.9% over 68 weeks.
- Garvey WT et al. Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (REDEFINE 1). N Engl J Med 2025 — PubMed — CagriSema produced a mean weight change of -20.4% vs -3.0% with placebo at week 68; 60% of participants lost at least 20% of body weight. CagriSema remains investigational and is not FDA-approved.
- Pi-Sunyer X et al. A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management (Saxenda) — PubMed — Liraglutide 3.0 mg produced high-single-digit mean weight loss, less than semaglutide.
