Ozempic, with the active ingredient semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics a hormone to regulate blood sugar and appetite. It is approved to manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes and to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events for those with known heart disease. The only available form of Ozempic is a once-weekly, self-administered injection.
The Current State of the Ozempic Patch
No Ozempic patch is currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial sale. Any products marketed online as an “Ozempic patch” or “semaglutide patch” are not legitimate, FDA-approved medications. Purchasing these products is risky, as their contents and safety are unknown.
Delivering semaglutide through a patch is a major goal of pharmaceutical research. The aim is to provide a non-invasive alternative to the once-weekly injection, which could improve patient comfort and adherence. However, development is still in investigative stages and has not completed the testing required for public use.
For individuals seeking the therapeutic effects of semaglutide, the only approved methods are the injection or an oral tablet. Patients should be wary of any websites offering a patch version of the drug, as these unverified products could be harmful. Always rely on treatments prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Exploring Transdermal Semaglutide Delivery
Delivering medication through the skin, known as transdermal delivery, is a scientific challenge for molecules like semaglutide. The skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum, serves as an effective barrier against foreign substances. This barrier is permeable to small, lipid-soluble molecules, but semaglutide is a large peptide molecule, making it difficult to pass through and reach the bloodstream in effective quantities.
To overcome this obstacle, researchers are exploring advanced technologies like microneedle patches. These are small patches fitted with hundreds of microscopic needles that are painless upon application. The microneedles work by creating tiny, temporary channels in the stratum corneum, bypassing the skin’s main barrier function without causing pain or injury.
Once these micro-channels are created, the semaglutide on the patch can be absorbed into deeper skin layers and taken up by the circulatory system. Researchers are experimenting with various types of microneedles, including those that dissolve into the skin or are made of solid materials that retract. The design of these systems must ensure a consistent and controlled dose is delivered over a specific period.
Research and Clinical Trial Progress
Bringing a new drug delivery system like a semaglutide patch to market is a long, regulated process involving multiple stages of clinical trials with human volunteers. These trials ensure the new method is both safe and effective. While pharmaceutical companies are actively researching this, specific timelines are often proprietary.
The clinical trial process involves several phases before a product can be submitted to the FDA for approval.
- Phase 1 involves a small number of healthy volunteers to assess the patch’s safety and evaluate how the drug is absorbed and metabolized.
- Phase 2 uses a larger group of people with the condition, such as type 2 diabetes, to continue monitoring safety and evaluate the patch’s effectiveness at the correct dosage.
- Phase 3 involves thousands of participants to confirm effectiveness, monitor side effects, and compare the patch to existing treatments like the injectable form.
Alternative Delivery Methods for GLP-1 Agonists
While a semaglutide patch is not yet available, an approved oral alternative to injections exists. This non-injectable form is an oral tablet sold under the brand name Rybelsus. This medication contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic but is formulated to be taken by mouth, making it the only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist available.
The development of an oral version of semaglutide required overcoming its own challenges, as the peptide is destroyed by stomach acid. Rybelsus was formulated with a substance called SNAC, which protects semaglutide from degradation and enhances its absorption in the stomach. This allows the medication to enter the bloodstream.
Unlike the once-weekly Ozempic injection, Rybelsus is a once-daily medication. It must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water at least 30 minutes before any food, beverage, or other oral medications. For patients averse to needles, this oral tablet is an FDA-approved alternative to discuss with a healthcare provider.