Is Apo-Semaglutide the same as Ozempic?

It has the same active ingredient, semaglutide, given once a week by pen, and Health Canada authorized it as a generic of Ozempic. Differences: Apotex makes its semaglutide by chemical synthesis while Ozempic's is made with recombinant DNA technology in yeast, the pen is different, and Apotex's May 2026 monograph lists only the blood-sugar indication for type 2 diabetes, while Ozempic's also includes lowering cardiovascular and kidney risk.

Is Apo-Semaglutide approved for weight loss?

No. It is authorized for adults with type 2 diabetes. Apotex's generic of Wegovy, Sevmia, is the one authorized for chronic weight management, and as of November 11, 2026 the Drug Product Database still lists Sevmia as approved, not marketed.

Is Apo-Semaglutide covered in Ontario and other provinces?

Public plans cover the generics for type 2 diabetes under the same criteria as Ozempic: Ontario (from June 30, 2026), British Columbia (June 15), Alberta and Saskatchewan (July 1), and Quebec as an exception drug. No public plan covers it for weight loss. Private plans set their own rules.

Has Apo-Semaglutide been recalled?

Two specific lots were. Health Canada posted a Type II recall on August 27, 2026 for lot 7000599A (DIN 02568020), pens that may show and deliver a higher dose than intended, and on September 25, 2026 for lot 7000636A (DIN 02568012), pens that may show and deliver a lower dose. Check the lot number on your box and talk to your pharmacist before you stop.

Can my pharmacist switch me from Ozempic to Apo-Semaglutide?

Where a province lists it as interchangeable with Ozempic, a pharmacist can usually substitute it, and many plans pay only up to the generic's cost. A prescriber can write 'no substitution' if there is a reason to stay on the brand. Ask your pharmacist how the Apotex pen works before your first injection.

Does this page list prices, pharmacies or doses?

No. We don't publish prices, sellers or dosing, and nothing here is medical advice. Ask a licensed Canadian prescriber or pharmacist.

Canada \u00b7 Generic Ozempic

Apo-Semaglutide: Apotex's generic Ozempic, explained.

Apo-Semaglutide Injection is Apotex's generic version of Ozempic, a prescription semaglutide for adults with type 2 diabetes. Health Canada authorized it on May 1, 2026, the second generic semaglutide in Canada after Dr. Reddy's on April 28, and the Drug Product Database still lists both DINs (02568012 and 02568020) as marketed since May 14, 2026 (checked November 11, 2026). It is not authorized for weight loss. Several provinces cover it under the same type 2 diabetes rules as Ozempic. Two specific lots were recalled in 2026. This page does not list prices, pharmacies or doses.

Apo-Semaglutide at a glance

	Apo-Semaglutide Injection
Maker	Apotex Inc., a Canadian generic drug maker (Toronto)
Generic of	Ozempic (Novo Nordisk)
Authorized	May 1, 2026 (product monograph)
On sale since	May 14, 2026 (Drug Product Database, both DINs still marketed on Nov 11, 2026)
DINs	02568012 and 02568020
Format	Two multi-dose prefilled pens, injected once a week; one covers Ozempic's starting dose settings and the other its middle setting. There is no Apotex version of Ozempic's highest-strength pen.
Approved for	Blood-sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes
Not approved for	Weight loss, type 1 diabetes, under 18
Prescription needed	Yes

Apo-Semaglutide vs Ozempic

Health Canada authorizes a generic only when it meets its standards for safety, efficacy and quality against the brand, and Apotex's monograph relies on Ozempic's clinical trials. Health Canada describes the generics as “complex synthetic products that are pharmaceutically equivalent to the brand name biologic drug.” A few things do differ, according to the two product monographs:

	Apo-Semaglutide	Ozempic
Active ingredient	Semaglutide	Semaglutide
How the semaglutide is made	Chemical synthesis (solid-phase)	Recombinant DNA technology in yeast
Type 2 diabetes blood-sugar control	Yes	Yes
Lowering heart attack, stroke and kidney risk in type 2 diabetes	Not listed in Apotex's May 2026 monograph	Listed (Ozempic monograph)
Pens	Two; no highest-strength pen	Includes a highest-strength pen
Side effects and warnings	Same list (based on Ozempic's trials)	Same list
Public plan coverage	Listed in several provinces for type 2 diabetes	Listed, often paid only up to the generic's cost

If you are switching, ask your pharmacist to show you the Apotex pen: the device and instructions are not the same as Novo Nordisk's. More: every generic Ozempic in Canada.

Is Apo-Semaglutide covered?

Public plans cover generic semaglutide for type 2 diabetes under the same criteria as Ozempic, not for weight loss. Where it is interchangeable, plans usually pay only up to the lowest-cost product.

Province	Status	Source
Ontario	Listed June 30, 2026 as interchangeable with Ozempic (Limited Use, same criteria)	ODB Edition 43
British Columbia	Listed June 15, 2026 for type 2 diabetes after metformin (Special Authority)	PharmaCare, June 2026
Alberta	Added July 1, 2026 in an interchangeable grouping with Ozempic	Alberta Blue Cross
Saskatchewan	Added July 1, 2026 as interchangeable with Ozempic (Exception Drug Status)	Saskatchewan Blue Cross
Quebec	On the RAMQ list as an exception drug, same criteria as Ozempic	RAMQ list, Oct 2026

Other provinces and private insurers: ask your plan. Full table: generic semaglutide coverage by province.

Apo-Semaglutide recalls in 2026

Health Canada posted two Type II (retail-level) recalls, each for a single lot:

DIN	Lot	Problem	Notice
02568020	7000599A	Pen may display and deliver a higher dose than intended	RA-82536, Aug 27, 2026
02568012	7000636A	Pen may display and deliver a lower dose than intended	RA-82679, Sep 25, 2026

A search of Health Canada's recall database on November 11, 2026 still showed only those two Type II notices. Health Canada's advice: check whether your lot is affected and talk to your healthcare provider before you stop using it.

Side effects

Because it is the same medicine, the Apo-Semaglutide monograph carries Ozempic's side-effect list and warnings: mainly nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and stomach pain, plus pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar with insulin or a sulfonylurea, worsening diabetic eye disease, a thyroid C-cell tumour warning from animal studies, and NAION, a rare sudden vision problem. See Ozempic side effects in Canada and GLP-1s and vision.

Apotex's generic Wegovy: Sevmia

Apotex also holds the first generic of Wegovy, Sevmia, authorized June 29, 2026 for chronic weight management. As of November 11, 2026, the Drug Product Database still lists it as approved, not marketed. Details: Wegovy in Canada.

What semaglutide users report

None of our anonymous confessions names Apo-Semaglutide or another generic yet. The live counts below are about semaglutide in general.

49 published anonymous Semaglutide confessions; 7 mention at least one side effect.
Among confessions that state a weight change in pounds, the median reported is 51 lb. Self-reported, unverified.

Most-mentioned side effects (share of Semaglutide confessions):

Burping: 6.1% (3)
Vomiting: 6.1% (3)
Anxiety or panic: 4.1% (2)
Nausea: 4.1% (2)
Constipation: 2% (1)

Counts are phrase mentions in anonymous accounts, not diagnoses or clinical rates. Full breakdown and methodology: Semaglutide hub.

Frequently asked questions

What is Apo-Semaglutide?: Apo-Semaglutide Injection is Apotex's generic version of Ozempic (semaglutide), sold in Canada by prescription. Health Canada authorized it on May 1, 2026, the second generic semaglutide approved in Canada, and the Drug Product Database lists it as marketed since May 14, 2026.
Is Apo-Semaglutide the same as Ozempic?: It has the same active ingredient, semaglutide, given once a week by pen, and Health Canada authorized it as a generic of Ozempic. Differences: Apotex makes its semaglutide by chemical synthesis while Ozempic's is made with recombinant DNA technology in yeast, the pen is different, and Apotex's May 2026 monograph lists only the blood-sugar indication for type 2 diabetes, while Ozempic's also includes lowering cardiovascular and kidney risk.
Is Apo-Semaglutide approved for weight loss?: No. It is authorized for adults with type 2 diabetes. Apotex's generic of Wegovy, Sevmia, is the one authorized for chronic weight management, and as of November 11, 2026 the Drug Product Database still lists Sevmia as approved, not marketed.
Is Apo-Semaglutide covered in Ontario and other provinces?: Public plans cover the generics for type 2 diabetes under the same criteria as Ozempic: Ontario (from June 30, 2026), British Columbia (June 15), Alberta and Saskatchewan (July 1), and Quebec as an exception drug. No public plan covers it for weight loss. Private plans set their own rules.
Has Apo-Semaglutide been recalled?: Two specific lots were. Health Canada posted a Type II recall on August 27, 2026 for lot 7000599A (DIN 02568020), pens that may show and deliver a higher dose than intended, and on September 25, 2026 for lot 7000636A (DIN 02568012), pens that may show and deliver a lower dose. Check the lot number on your box and talk to your pharmacist before you stop.
Does Apo-Semaglutide have different side effects from Ozempic?: The monograph lists the same side effects as Ozempic because it relies on Ozempic's trials: mostly nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation and stomach pain, plus warnings such as pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and NAION, a rare sudden vision problem.
Can my pharmacist switch me from Ozempic to Apo-Semaglutide?: Where a province lists it as interchangeable with Ozempic, a pharmacist can usually substitute it, and many plans pay only up to the generic's cost. A prescriber can write 'no substitution' if there is a reason to stay on the brand. Ask your pharmacist how the Apotex pen works before your first injection.
Does this page list prices, pharmacies or doses?: No. We don't publish prices, sellers or dosing, and nothing here is medical advice. Ask a licensed Canadian prescriber or pharmacist.

Sources

Last reviewed November 11, 2026. How we source pages: editorial policy.

General information only — not medical, legal or regulatory advice. Peptide Confessions does not sell, source or recommend any product or vendor, and nothing here is dosing guidance. Speak with a licensed Canadian healthcare professional or pharmacist about any medication. Editorial process →