How does Rybelsus work?
Rybelsus helps you lose weight by slowing down your digestion. This leaves you feeling fuller for longer and makes you feel less hungry. Over time, and with a healthy diet and exercise regime, this will reduce your body weight.
The active ingredient of Rybelsus is Semaglutide. It is the same active ingredient that is in Ozempic and belongs to the same family of drugs as Saxenda.
Semaglutide tablets work by targeting a specific hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body which handles blood sugar management and appetite. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 analogue, which means it increases the levels of GLP-1 in the body. By doing so, it helps with blood sugar management in two main ways:
facilitates the production of insulin from the pancreas when your blood sugar levels are too high
reduces excess glucose (sugar) from the liver when it is not needed
This sequence of events means your stomach empties and digests food more slowly after eating. It is also the primary mechanism that reduces blood glucose levels in those with type 2 diabetes.
What are the benefits of taking Rybelsus?
There are several benefits to taking Rybelsus to lose weight.
It’s effective
The main benefit is that the drug is effective. Multiple clinical studies have found patients on Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes lose as much as 4.5kg, up to 10% of their body weight, after around 52 weeks of treatment. Patients also saw significant reductions in waist size and other measurements.
It’s easy to take
It also has a unique benefit compared to other weight loss drugs because it is easier to take. Most of the current weight loss drugs, whilst equally effective, require you to inject yourself daily or weekly. Rybelsus, however, is an oral medication. It’s a tablet that you can take just once a day – a perfect alternative for those anxious about needles.
It’s recommended by professionals
Whilst currently only available off-label for weight loss, in February 2022 NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in the UK recommended Semaglutide for obesity treatment.
What dosages of Rybelsus are available?
Rybelsus tablets are available in 3 doses: 3mg, 7mg and 14mg. Your dose is increased gradually to promote sustainable and healthy weight loss.
For weight loss, you must start on the 3mg dose. Only once you are stable on that dose for one month can you progress to the 7mg dose. You may stay on the 7mg dose, but if deemed suitable by your doctor, your dose can be increased to 14mg after at least one month of being stable on the 7mg dose.
Do not alter your dose unless you have been instructed to do so by your doctor or healthcare provider.
You cannot exceed a dose of 14mg per day. If you take more than you think you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.
How do I take Rybelsus?
Take one Rybelsus tablet once daily on an empty stomach.
You can take the Rybelsus tablet at any time of the day, but you should take it at least 30 minutes before your first meal or drink of the day. This is usually first thing in the morning. If you eat right after taking Rybelsus, it will reduce its effectiveness.
Take tablets with a sip of water, only half a glass (around 120ml). Do not crush, split or chew tablets as this will reduce the absorption of the drug.
If you miss a dose, skip this dose and take your normal dose the next day. Do not stop taking Rybelsus unless you have been instructed to do so by your doctor or healthcare provider.
If after 12 weeks on the maximum dose you have not lost at least 5% of your initial body weight, treatment should be discontinued and you should consult your doctor for an alternative.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all prescription medicines, Rybelsus can cause some side effects. However, the most common are mild and go away on their own.
Common side effects include:
nausea (feeling sick)
vomiting (being sick)
indigestion and general stomach discomfort
acid reflux and heartburn
bloating and gas (flatulence)
constipation
inflammation of the stomach (gastritis)
Those who also take certain other diabetes medicines, such as Metformin, are at a higher risk of experiencing low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia or hypo) whilst using Rybelsus. It’s important you treat it straight away once you notice the symptoms.
Warning signs for low blood sugar include:
cold sweat and cool pale skin
headache
increased heart rate
nausea
feeling very sleepy or weak
feeling hungry
feeling nervous, anxious or confused
difficulty concentrating
shaking
vision changes
For a full list of the potential side effects, including more serious side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet. It will be in the box with your medication but is also available to download from this page.
Who can take Rybelsus?
You can take Rybelsus for weight loss if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 and above, or 27 and above if you have a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or type 2 diabetes.
You must not take Rybelsus if you:
are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding
are under the age of 18
are allergic to any of the ingredients
have type 1 diabetes
have diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes where your blood sugar is very high)
If you have any other long-term conditions or take any medications, you should always consult your doctor before taking Rybelsus so they can ensure it’s safe for you to take.
You should especially tell your prescriber if you:
have eye problems caused by diabetes (diabetic retinopathy)
have kidney or heart problems
have a history of pancreatitis
take insulin
take levothyroxine for thyroid disease
take medicines to reduce blood clotting (e.g. warfarin)
This is because Rybelsus has affected these conditions or interacts with these medicines, so your doctor will want to monitor you whilst on this medication.
If you’re not sure whether you fall under any of these groups, check with your doctor or healthcare provider before taking Rybelsus.
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