Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) has announced the Canadian availability of an updated formulation of Rybelsus® (semaglutide tablets), a prescription medicine for adults living with type 2 diabetes.
Rybelsus® holds the distinction of being the first and only GLP-1 tablet approved in Canada for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
The updated formulation delivers the same established clinical profile as the original version but comes in smaller tablets at lower dose strengths, which may offer greater convenience for some patients.
The new dosing options are 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg, replacing the original doses of 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg respectively.
Improved absorption of semaglutide in the updated formulation is attributed to changes in the tablet’s inactive ingredients, allowing lower doses to achieve equivalent clinical effects.
Health Canada’s authorization of the updated formulation was supported by a bioequivalence study conducted in 546 healthy participants, confirming comparable semaglutide exposure to the original tablets.
The study supported equivalent safety, efficacy, and administration across both formulations, providing a solid regulatory basis for the transition to the new tablet strengths.
Patients currently taking Rybelsus® may be eligible to switch to the updated formulation under the guidance of their healthcare professional.
“People living with type 2 diabetes want treatment options that are effective and fit into their daily lives,” said Iain Graham, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Canada.
“This updated formulation of Rybelsus® offers the same established clinical profile in a smaller GLP-1 tablet and reflects our commitment to improving treatment options for Canadians,” Graham added.
Adults with type 2 diabetes face an elevated risk of serious cardiovascular complications, including heart attack and stroke, making effective long-term management of the condition critically important.
In 2026, Rybelsus® received Health Canada approval to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and non-fatal stroke, in adults with established cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk.
Novo Nordisk, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark, employs approximately 67,900 people across 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries worldwide.
