Rybelsus

Rybelsus is a prescription medication that contains an ingredient called Semaglutide. It comes in tablet form and is taken once a day.

Semaglutide is the same ingredient that’s found in Wegovy and Ozempic. However, these medicines come in the form of injection pens that are administered weekly.

Rybelsus is a medicine that treats type 2 diabetes, which is a serious health condition.

People with type 2 diabetes have too much sugar in their blood, either because they don’t produce enough insulin or because their cells have stopped responding to insulin as they should.

The active ingredient in Rybelsus (Semaglutide) helps to lower blood sugar levels so that they stay within a healthy range.

Studies have also shown that Rybelsus also causes weight loss as a common side effect. Due to this, a medication called Wegovy has been produced solely to help obese people lose weight.

Due to this factor, some doctors may prescribe this medicine to help you lose weight if there aren’t any better alternatives.

Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy. However, there are some differences between these medications:

• Rybelsus and Ozempic are licensed for treating type 2 diabetes
• Wegovy is licensed for weight loss
• Ozempic and Wegovy are Semaglutide injections
• Rybelsus is Semaglutide in tablet form

	Rybelsus	Ozempic	Wegovy
Medical form
Approved for type 2 diabetes
Approved for weight loss

All three of these medications have the same side effects and precautions due to them containing the same active ingredient.

The active ingredient in Rybelsus (Semaglutide) is a type of GLP-1 receptor agonist. These mimic the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormones that are released by your gut after eating.

By increasing GLP-1 agonist levels, Rybelsus is able to control your blood sugar levels in three different ways:

1. It increases insulin secretion from the pancreas when your blood sugar levels are high, enabling more cells to take up glucose.
2. It reduces the amount of sugar that your liver releases back into your blood.
3. It slows down the rate at which food moves from your stomach to your intestines so that sugar is absorbed into your bloodstream more slowly.

Another type of GLP-1 medication is called Saxenda. This medication is licensed for weight loss and contains the active ingredient Liraglutide.

Just like Wegovy, it comes in the form of an injection pen. However, rather than injecting weekly, Saxenda must be administered daily.

GLP-1 agonists like Semaglutide also work effectively to cause weight loss by reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for much longer.

Rybelsus doses should be taken very seriously. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider or doctor.

Rybelsus is available in 3 different doses:

• 3 mg
• 7 mg
• 14 mg

You must start on the lowest dose and wait 4 weeks before increasing to the next level. This is essential for limiting side effects and allowing your body to adjust to the medication.

Semaglutide tablets should be taken every day. If you know you are forgetful, you may prefer Semaglutide injections which are only administered once per week.

You should always take prescription medicines as per your doctor’s instructions. However, a recommended guideline for taking Rybelsus is as follows:

• You should take your Rybelsus tablet first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach.
• Take the tablet with a sip of water (or no more than 120 ml of liquid).
• Wait at least half an hour before drinking, eating, or taking any other kind of medication.

What if I forget a dose?

If you miss your dose in the morning, it is best to skip it entirely and wait till the following morning to take another Rybelsus tablet.

Can I drink alcohol while taking Rybelsus?

Alcohol won’t stop Semaglutide tablets from working. However, it is not recommended that you drink alcohol during treatment.

Alcohol is high in calories and sugars, which should be avoided if you have type 2 diabetes or obesity. Alcohol is also likely to worsen common side effects such as nausea and vomiting.

Semaglutide side effects vary from person to person. While it is normal to experience them, not everyone will.

The most commonly reported side effects of Rybelsus are gastric-related. This includes:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• acid reflux or heartburn
• constipation
• stomach ache
• flatulence
• bloating of the stomach

These symptoms are usually worse when you first start treatment and when you increase your dose. However, as your body slowly adjusts to the treatment, side effects tend to disappear.

Semaglutide also commonly causes:

• headache
• fatigue (tiredness)
• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
• mild allergic reactions (a skin rash or hives)

Please be wary of symptoms of low blood sugar. Hypoglycaemia can cause shaking, sweating, nervousness, dizziness and a faster heartbeat - if you experience any of these signs, eat or drink something sugary as soon as possible.

For a full list of side effects, please consult the patient information leaflet.

Rybelsus is prescribed to adults with type 2 diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels, or sometimes for weight loss. However, it isn’t safe for everyone to take.

You cannot take Rybelsus if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have type 1 diabetes
• have developed diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes)
• are allergic to Semaglutide or any of the other listed ingredients in Rybelsus
• have a medical history of a rare condition called MEN 2 (multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome)

You may require extra monitoring from your doctor or may be unsuitable for this treatment if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• levothyroxine (a medicine used to treat thyroid disease)
• warfarin or similar oral medicines used to prevent blood-clotting disorders
• insulin (your doctor will have to decrease your dose during this treatment and monitor your blood sugar levels more regularly)

Most people cannot buy Rybelsus tablets as a weight loss aid. Wegovy is the only form of Semaglutide that is licensed for weight loss.

That being said, Rybelsus can sometimes be prescribed for weight loss off-label. This term simply means that your doctor is prescribing a medicine for a different purpose (rather than what it’s been licensed for).

You will have to visit a doctor in person to get an off-label prescription for Rybelsus.

However, there are other weight loss medications available for online purchase here at euroClinix.