Rybelsus is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medicine for the management of type II diabetes mellitus in adults. Rybelsus has been shown to help individuals lose weight when combined with diet and exercise lifestyle changes.
If eligible, Alfie providers may prescribe you Rybelsus to help you lose weight.
Read more to understand how Rybelsus works for certain individuals to maximize weight loss.
Rybelsus is a GLP-1 medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US for use in adults who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 27, with comorbidities such as hypertension or dyslipidemia, or individuals who have obesity (BMI of over 30). It is a potent selective GLP-1 receptor agonist that has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels as well as the feeling of hunger and increase the feeling of fullness in subjects with high BMI. Rybelsus is one of the weight loss medications that may be prescribed by an Alfie healthcare provider for weight loss or a weight-related medical condition. It is produced by Novo Nordisk.
Rybelsus should not be taken by individuals with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), in patients with a prior serious hypersensitivity reaction to semaglutide or to any of the ingredients in Rybelsus, or in patients with a history of pancreatitis.
The active ingredient in Rybelsus is semaglutide. Semaglutide is a synthetic peptide that acts like a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1. Semaglutide works by slowing the stomach from emptying, which helps you feel full after eating. It also slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream, which helps keep blood sugar levels under control.
GLP-1 is a natural hormone in your body that acts on your brain to regulate your appetite and food intake. By acting like GLP-1, Rybelsus lowers your appetite and how much food you eat to help you lose weight.
GLP-1s lead the pancreas to produce insulin after meals to bring down blood sugar. They also bind to receptors in the brain to suppress appetite. These receptors release chemicals that help diminish the desire to eat, reducing your hunger. GLP-1s are natural chemicals, but don't last long within the human body. That's why taking GLP-1s can help reduce your weight even though your body already produces its own.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, is one of the fastest, most reliable methods to help you lose weight quickly and safely, and has been shown in clinical trials to help individuals lose an average of 15% of their initial body weight, when combined with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, compared to participants who took a placebo.
Studies have shown that without lifestyle changes including exercise or diet, participants taking semaglutide have lost an average of 10% of their body weight.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, is one of fastest, most reliable method to help you lose weight quickly and safely, and has been shown in clinical trials to help individuals lose an average of 15% of their initial body weight, when combined with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity, compared to participants who took a placebo.
Studies have shown that without lifestyle changes including exercise or diet, participants taking semaglutide have lost an average of 10% of their body weight.
Coupons for Rybelsus are available thought Novo Nordisk's website.
Rybelus is taken as a once-daily tablet every morning when you wake up. It should be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 4 oz of water. You should also wait 30 minutes before eating after taking Rybelsus. You should store Rybelsus at room temperature.
If your doctor prescribes Rybelsus, he or she will walk you through the process of taking it each day.
Information about Rybelsus on how to administer the medication can be found in the Medication guide here.
GLP-1 tablet medications are offered via a step-up approach, meaning your Alfie healthcare professionals (either an MD or NP) will prescribe a higher dose as your progress through the program until you are at the full dose. This helps minimize the risk of any side effects of taking the medication.
Rybelsus comes in 3 different dose strengths. You start Rybelsus at a 3 mg dose once a day and increase the dose after 30 days to 7 mg or 14 mg. It’s important to follow the dosing schedule as recommended by your health care provider.
Side effects of Rybelsus are extremely rare and over 95% of individuals who take these medications do not experience side effects. In those that do, nausea or indigestion is often the most common and typically resolves within the first month of being on the medication.
Other common side effects of Rybelsus mediations include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, dyspepsia, dizziness, abdominal distention, eructation, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in patients with type 2 diabetes, flatulence, gastroenteritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Taking GLP-1 medications may also put you at serious risk of hypoglycemia or acute kidney injury if you are taking another similar medication at the same time.
The GLP-1 class of drugs isn't recommended if you have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2). They're also not recommended if you've had pancreatitis. If you have any concerns about your family history and ability to take a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication, talk to your primary care provider.
Rybelsus is one of multiple weight-loss drugs which fit into the GLP-1 category. Other GLP-1 medications include:
