What it means
Generics can be sold once a brand's patents and exclusivity end, and they must be shown bioequivalent to the brand. They are usually cheaper.
For GLP-1 medicines, FDA-approved generics in the US include exenatide (a Byetta copy, approved in 2024) and liraglutide, with generic versions of Victoza for diabetes and, from August 2025, of Saxenda for weight management.
At our last review there was no FDA-approved generic semaglutide or tirzepatide in the US. Patents on these molecules are expected to run into the 2030s, though dates can shift with litigation. Generic semaglutide approved in another country, such as Canada in 2026, is not FDA-approved for US sale.
Products sold online in the US as "generic semaglutide" or "generic tirzepatide" are generally compounded or unapproved. The FDA has warned companies about calling compounded drugs generic.
Why it matters
Knowing which GLP-1 generics are real helps you spot misleading 'generic' claims and find lower-cost approved options.