Novo Nordisk Warns about More Counterfeit Ozempic

The counterfeit products have an illegitimate serial number that begins with 51746517.

Several hundred units of counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 1 mg have been found in the United States. The FDA seized the counterfeit products on April 9, 2025, and both Novo Nordisk and the FDA are testing the seized products' identify, safety and quality.

The seized counterfeit products have a lot number of PAR0362, which is an authentic lot number. The counterfeit products, however, have an illegitimate serial number that begins with 51746517. If a product contains both the legitimate lot number and has the first eight digits 51746517, it is counterfeit and should not be used.

Novo Nordisk distributes Ozempic injection 1 mg and other semaglutide-containing medicines through its authorized distributors.

The FDA is aware of six adverse event reports associated with this lot, but none of them appear to be associated with the counterfeit product. All six adverse events were reported by Novo Nordisk.

The FDA initially approved Ozempic in 2017 to improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. In 2020, Ozempic was granted an additional indication to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease.

More recently, in February 2025, the FDA approved Ozempic to reduce the risk of kidney disease worsening, kidney failure, and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Related: FDA and Novo Nordisk Warn about Counterfeit Ozempic

This is not the first time that counterfeit Ozempic has been found in the U.S. supply chain. In December 2023, the FDA seized several thousand units of Ozempic 1 mg. And in June 2023, the FDA issued a warning on some compounded semaglutide products that may not contain the same active ingredient as FDA-approved products.

Novo Nordisk continues to provide updates and information about possible counterfeits and additional safety information here.