All three are Novo Nordisk brands built on the same active ingredient — semaglutide — but each is registered for a different purpose, dosed differently, and sits at a different price point in South Africa.
| Ozempic® | Wegovy® | Rybelsus® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered for | Type 2 diabetes; reduces cardiovascular risk | Chronic weight management | Type 2 diabetes (oral) |
| Format | Pre-filled injection pen, once weekly | Pre-filled injection pen, once weekly | Tablet, once daily |
| Dose strengths (SA) | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg (2mg in some markets) | 0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, 2.4mg | 3mg, 7mg, 14mg |
| SA availability | Available now | Available since 18 Aug 2025 | SAHPRA-registered (2024), not yet on sale |
| Indicative price range | R 1,950 – R 3,300 | R 1,873 – R 3,746 | Not yet priced |
Wegovy pricing reflects Novo Nordisk's March 2026 price reduction in South Africa. All figures indicative and pharmacy-dependent — see the live comparison table.
Ozempic was the first semaglutide brand registered in South Africa, approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in those with existing heart disease. It is dosed up to a 1mg (in some cases 2mg) weekly maintenance dose — lower than Wegovy's top dose — which is one reason many patients see more modest weight loss on Ozempic than on Wegovy.
Wegovy uses the same semaglutide molecule but is registered specifically for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30+, or 27+ with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure or sleep apnoea (also approved for adolescents 12+ with obesity). It's titrated up to a much higher 2.4mg weekly dose, which drives the stronger average weight loss seen in clinical trials. It launched in South Africa on 18 August 2025, with Novo Nordisk cutting prices by up to 27% in March 2026 to improve affordability.
Rybelsus delivers semaglutide as a once-daily tablet using SNAC absorption technology, for patients who'd rather avoid injections. SAHPRA registered Rybelsus in South Africa in 2024, but as of mid-2026 it has not yet reached pharmacy shelves commercially — check back on this page for launch updates.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is a different medicine entirely — made by Eli Lilly, not Novo Nordisk — that activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors rather than GLP-1 alone. It's increasingly discussed alongside Ozempic and Wegovy in South Africa as a competing option for diabetes and weight management, but it is not a semaglutide product and isn't covered in our pricing tables.
That's a decision for you and your doctor — this page is general information, not medical advice. Broadly: diagnosed type 2 diabetics are typically prescribed Ozempic, patients whose primary goal is weight loss are typically prescribed Wegovy, and Rybelsus will eventually offer diabetics a tablet alternative to injections once it reaches South African pharmacies.