Semaglutide Tablets [ Rybelsus ] 30Tablets

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Rybelsus to treat certain conditions. This drug may also be prescribed off-label for other conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.

Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes

Rybelsus is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults when taken with a nutritious diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar level becomes too high due to problems with insulin. Insulin is a hormone that your pancreas makes to help manage blood sugar. With type 2 diabetes, either your body doesn’t respond well to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin.

If type 2 diabetes goes untreated, it can lead to problems with the heart, eyes, and nerves, among other parts of the body. These complications can include high blood pressure, diabetic retinopathy, and neuropathy (nerve damage). For more information about this condition, you can refer to our diabetes hub.

This drug is not prescribed for type 1 diabetes. Also, This drug hasn’t been studied in people who have had pancreatitis (swelling or irritation of the pancreas).

Effectiveness for type 2 diabetes

A clinical trial has shown that this drug helps lower blood sugar more than a placebo (treatment with no active drug). Researchers used blood tests to measure hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, which is a marker of blood sugar management. Target values of 7% are common for HbA1c, but this varies from person to person.

In the study, people who took this drug had their HbA1c levels decrease more than people who took a placebo. And at the end of the study, more people who took Rybelsus had an HbA1c level of less than 7% compared with those who took a placebo.

Other uses for Rybelsus

In addition to the uses listed above, this drug may be prescribed off-label. Off-label drug use is when a drug that’s approved for one use is prescribed for a different one that’s not approved. And you may wonder if this drug is used for certain other conditions.

Rybelsus for weight loss (off-label use)

Rybelsus is not FDA-approved for weight loss. However, it may be prescribed off-label to help with weight loss or weight management. Weight loss can be a side effect of this drug treatment for type 2 diabetes (see “side effects” above for details). If you have questions about this drug and weight management, talk with your doctor.

Rybelsus for type 1 diabetes (under study)

Type 1 diabetes is another form of diabetes, and it’s less common than type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes causes high blood sugar levels because the body doesn’t make enough of a hormone called insulin, which helps manage blood sugar.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved Rybelsus for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. However, the drug is being studied for use with insulin and other medications for type 1 diabetes and may be prescribed off-label by doctors. Research shows that adding drugs such as this medicine to insulin treatment in people with type 1 diabetes may help lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and body weight.

If you have questions about this drug or treatments for type 1 diabetes, talk with your doctor.

Rybelsus and children

Rybelsus isn’t approved for use in children. More studies are needed to show whether the medication is safe and effective for this age group.

Rybelsus is approved to treat type 2 diabetes when used with a balanced diet and exercise. But if this drug , along with diet and exercise changes, is not enough to help manage your blood sugar levels, your doctor may prescribe other medications, such as metformin (Glumetza).

If you have questions about your diet and exercise plan or other medications while taking this drug, talk with your doctor.

Rybelsus can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.

For more information about this drug and interactions, see this in-depth article.

Rybelsus and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with this drug. This list doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with this drug.

Before taking this drug, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Rybelsus and sulfonylurea drugs

You may be more likely to develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you take this drug and medication in a drug class called sulfonylureas. (A drug class is a group of medications that work in a similar way.) Sulfonylurea drugs help treat type 2 diabetes.

Examples of medications in the sulfonylurea drug class include:

• glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
• glimepiride (Amaryl)
• glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase)

If you’re taking any of these drugs, tell your doctor before you start taking this drug. They’ll create a plan to monitor you for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar, which can include sweating, dizziness, and confusion. Your doctor may also decrease your dose of the sulfonylurea drug during your treatment.

Rybelsus and insulin

You may be more likely to develop hypoglycemia if you take this drug and any type of insulin.

Examples of insulin include:

• insulin aspart (NovoLog)
• insulin detemir (Levemir)
• insulin glargine (Lantus)
• insulin human (Novolin R, Humulin R)

If you’re taking insulin, tell your doctor before you start taking this drug. They can create a plan to monitor your blood sugar. Also, your doctor may decrease your dose of insulin during your Rybelsus treatment.

Rybelsus and all other oral medications

You should take this drug at least 30 minutes before taking any other oral medications. (“Oral” refers to a drug that you swallow as a tablet, capsule, or liquid.) Otherwise, this drug won’t work as well to treat your condition.

Rybelsus slows down how quickly your stomach empties, and this can change the way your body absorbs other medications. Because of this, your doctor may test you more often than usual to make sure your medication is working well.

Before you start taking this drug, tell your doctor about any medications you take. They can help advise you on when to take them and this drug.

Rybelsus and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with this drug. However, you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking this medicine.

Rybelsus and foods

You should take Rybelsus at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything, except for water. And you shouldn’t drink more than 4 ounces of water within those 30 minutes. Taking this drug with food or liquids other than water can decrease the amount of the drug that your body absorbs. So this drug may not work as well to treat your condition.

If you have any questions about the timing of your treatment doses and meals, talk with your doctor.

Rybelsus and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between Rybelsus and alcohol.

Keep in mind that you should take this drug at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything other than 4 ounces of water. If you don’t wait 30 minutes, the medication may be less effective. So it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol at least 30 minutes before taking this drug.

If you have questions about alcohol use during your treatment, talk with your doctor.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to this drug, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Alternatives for type 2 diabetes

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat type 2 diabetes include:

• metformin (Glumetza)
• glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
• glimepiride (Amaryl)
• glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase)
• insulin (Lantus, NovoLog, Levemir, Novolin R, Humulin R)
• pioglitazone (Actos)
• rosiglitazone (Avandia)
• liraglutide (Victoza)
• sitagliptin (Januvia)
• saxagliptin (Onglyza)
• empagliflozin (Jardiance)
• canagliflozin (Invokana)

You may wonder how this drug compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how this drug and Ozempic are alike and different.

Note: In addition to the information below, you can refer to this article about this drug vs. Ozempic.

Ingredients

Both Rybelsus and Ozempic contain the active ingredient semaglutide.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rybelsus and Ozempic to treat type 2 diabetes. The drugs help manage blood sugar in adults when used with a balanced diet and exercise.

Ozempic is also FDA-approved to decrease the risk of major cardiovascular problems in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Rybelsus isn’t approved by the FDA for this use.

Drug forms and administration

Rybelsus comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Ozempic comes as a single-use pen that you use to administer a subcutaneous injection. You’ll have the injections in your abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

Dosage differences between Rybelsus and Ozempic

You’ll usually take 3 mg of this drug once per day for the first 30 days. After that, your doctor will likely increase your dose to 7 mg, once per day. This is usually the dose that’s needed to help improve blood sugar management.

After you’ve been taking 7 mg of this drug for 30 days, your doctor will decide whether they should increase the dose. If you could benefit from better blood sugar management, your doctor may increase your dose to 14 mg once per day.

You’ll usually start with a 0.25-mg injection of Ozempic once a week. After 4 weeks, your doctor may increase the dose to a 0.5-mg injection once a week. If you could benefit from better blood sugar management, your doctor may continue to increase your dosage.

Switching between this drug and Ozempic

Your doctor may switch you to Rybelsus from Ozempic if you prefer taking medication by mouth instead of having injections. Or they may switch you to Ozempic from this drug if you prefer taking a drug once a week instead of once per day.

If you have cardiovascular disease, your doctor may recommend Ozempic over this drug. Ozempic is FDA-approved to decrease the risk of major cardiovascular problems in people with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This drug isn’t approved for this use.

If you’re taking 14 mg of this drug once per day, your doctor may switch you to a 0.5-mg injection of Ozempic once a week. You can start having your Ozempic injections the day after your last dose of Rybelsus.

If you’re taking a 0.5-mg injection of Ozempic once a week, your doctor may switch you to either a 7-mg or 14-mg dose of this drug once per day. You can start taking this drug up to 7 days after your last injection of Ozempic.

If you’re taking 1-mg injections of Ozempic once a week, keep in mind that there’s no equal dose of this drug.

Side effects and risks

Rybelsus and Ozempic both contain the active drug semaglutide. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain examples of up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with each drug, or with both this drug and Ozempic (when taken individually).

• Can occur with Rybelsus:
  • decreased appetite
• Can occur with Ozempic:
  • injection site reaction
• Can occur with both Rybelsus and Ozempic:
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • weight loss

Serious side effects

This list contains examples of serious side effects that can occur with this drug and Ozempic (when taken individually):

• hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially when used with insulin
• allergic reaction
• pancreatitis
• complications of diabetic retinopathy (a form of eye damage due to diabetes), such as worsened eyesight
• sudden kidney problems
• thyroid cancer*

* this drug and Ozempic each have a boxed warning about a possible risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see precautions” below.

Effectiveness

This drug and Ozempic haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies. However, studies have found both this drug and Ozempic to be effective for treating type 2 diabetes when used with a balanced diet and exercise.

Costs

This drug and Ozempic are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

This drug and Ozempic generally cost about the same. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for this drug and Ozempic.

Like Ozempic (above), the drug metformin has uses similar to those of this drug. Here’s a comparison of how this drug and metformin are alike and different.

Note: In addition to the information below, you can refer to this article about this drug vs. metformin.

Ingredients

Rybelsus contains the active ingredient semaglutide. Metformin contains the active ingredient metformin. It’s a generic drug, and it’s also the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Glumetza.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this drug and metformin to treat type 2 diabetes in adults. Metformin is also approved for use in children ages 10 years and older. The drugs help manage blood sugar in adults when taken with a nutritious diet and exercise.

Drug forms and administration

This drug comes as an oral tablet. You’ll usually take it once per day.

Metformin comes in three forms. One is an oral tablet. You’ll typically take it once or twice a day. With higher doses, your doctor may have you take metformin three times a day.

The second form of metformin is an extended-release oral tablet, which releases the drug into your body slowly over time. The third form is a liquid solution that you swallow.

Side effects and risks

Rybelsus and metformin are both used to treat type 2 diabetes. Therefore, these medications can cause some similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain examples of up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with each drug, or with both this drug and metformin (when taken individually).

• Can occur with Rybelsus:
  • decreased appetite
  • constipation
  • weight loss
• Can occur with metformin:
  • headache
  • weakness or lack of energy
  • muscle aches
  • rash
  • chills
  • gas
  • acid reflux
• Can occur with both Rybelsus and metformin:
  • diarrhea
  • nausea and vomiting
  • abdominal pain

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with this drug, with metformin, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

• Can occur with Rybelsus:
  • pancreatitis
  • complications of diabetic retinopathy(a form of eye damage due to diabetes), such as worsened eyesight
  • sudden kidney problems
  • thyroid cancer*
• Can occur with metformin:
  • lactic acidosis† (a dangerous buildup of acid in your body)
  • decrease in vitamin B-12 level
• Can occur with both Rybelsus and metformin:
  • hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially when used with insulin
  • allergic reaction

* this drug has a boxed warning about a possible risk of thyroid cancer. This is the most serious warning from the FDA. For more information, see “this drug precautions” below.
† Metformin has a boxed warning about lactic acidosis. For more information, see the drug’s prescribing information for the oral tablet, oral solution, and extended-release oral tablet.

Effectiveness

The only condition both this drug and metformin are used to treat is type 2 diabetes, in combination with a balanced diet and exercise.

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical studies, but studies have found both this drug and metformin to be effective for treating type 2 diabetes when taken with a balanced diet and exercise.

Costs

Rybelsus is a brand-name drug. Metformin is a generic drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

Rybelsus costs significantly more than metformin. The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for this drug and metformin.

You should take this drug oral tablets according to your doctor’s or healthcare professional’s instructions.

When to take

You’ll usually take this drug once per day. You should take the drug at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink anything, except for water. And you shouldn’t drink more than 4 ounces of water within those 30 minutes.

Also, you should take this drug at least 30 minutes before taking any other medication that you swallow.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful, too.

Taking Rybelsus with food

It’s important to take this drug at least 30 minutes before having any food or drink (aside from up to 4 ounces of water).

Taking this drug with food or liquids other than water can decrease the drug’s ability to help manage your blood sugar.

After taking your this drug dose, you can eat and drink like usual.

Can Rybelsus be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you shouldn’t split, crush, or chew this drug tablets. Swallow them whole with less than 4 ounces of water.

With type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar level is higher than usual. This is because of insulin (a hormone that manages blood sugar). The insulin level in your body is too low or your body can’t properly use insulin.

This drug is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works to decrease blood sugar levels by raising the level of insulin and lowering the level of a hormone called glucagon. This drug also increases the amount of time that food stays in your stomach before moving through the rest of your digestive system. This may help decrease blood sugar levels as well.

How long does it take to work?

It typically takes about 1 month for Rybelsus to work.

You’ll usually start taking 3 mg of this drug a day, which helps your body get used to the medication. Keep in mind that this isn’t the recommended dose used to treat type 2 diabetes.

After 1 month, your doctor will typically change your dose to 7 mg a day. This will start adjusting your blood sugar levels to reach the goal you and your doctor set. It’s possible that you may need a higher dose of this drug. (For more information, see the “this drug dosage” section above.)

It’s usually not recommended that you take this drug during pregnancy unless your doctor thinks that the benefits of treatment are greater than the potential side effects.

There hasn’t been enough research in humans to show whether this drug is safe to take while pregnant. Animal studies show that this drug may harm a fetus, but it’s not known whether these results apply to humans.

If you’re planning a pregnancy and decide to take this drug, you should wait until at least 2 months after your last dose to become pregnant. It takes that long for the drug to fully clear out of your body.

If you’re pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before you start taking this drug. They can review your treatment options with you.

If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking this drug.

It’s usually not recommended that you take this drug during pregnancy unless your doctor thinks that the benefits of treatment are greater than the potential side effects.

You should not breastfeed while taking Rybelsus. Animal studies show that this drug passes into breast milk. For this reason, you shouldn’t take the drug while breastfeeding.

If you’re breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed, tell your doctor before taking this drug. They may recommend a different drug for you.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this drug.

Is Rybelsus a type of insulin?

No, this drug isn’t a type of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that manages blood sugar. Rybelsus is a type of drug called a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1s such as this drug help manage blood sugar by increasing insulin levels and decreasing levels of a hormone called glucagon.

In some cases, your doctor may have you take this drug with insulin for even better blood sugar management.

If you have questions about this drug or insulin, talk with your doctor.

Why do I need to take Rybelsus 30 minutes before I eat or drink?

Taking this drug at least 30 minutes before you eat or drink helps your body absorb the drug properly. Keep in mind that you can drink a little water (no more than 4 ounces) when you take the medication. But consuming other drinks or food, or taking other medications, within 30 minutes can decrease the effectiveness of this drug.

If you have any questions about the timing of your this drug doses and meals, talk with your doctor.

What’s wrong with storing Rybelsus tablets in my pill box?

If you store Rybelsus tablets in a pill box or pill organizer, the drug may be exposed to moisture. This can make this drug less effective in managing your blood sugar. So it’s best to keep the medication in its original packaging until you’re ready to take it.

Can I take Rybelsus for type 1 diabetes?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved this drug for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. However, the drug is being studied for use with other medications to treat type 1 diabetes. For more information, see the “this drug uses” section.

If you have questions about this drug or treatments for type 1 diabetes, talk with your doctor.

This drug comes with several precautions.

FDA warning: Thyroid cancer

This drug has a boxed warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Semaglutide, the active drug in this drug, has been shown to cause thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. (Tumors are masses of cancerous tissue, and in this instance, they occur in the thyroid gland. The tumors actually start in a type of cell called a C cell.) However, it’s not known if this drug causes these tumors in humans. The tumors include medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC).

Your doctor won’t prescribe this drug if you or someone in your family has had MTC. Your doctor also won’t prescribe the drug if you have a rare type of cancer known as multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

Your doctor will talk with you about the risk of MTC and other thyroid tumors, as well as possible symptoms. These symptoms can include trouble swallowing, hoarseness that lasts, a mass in your neck, or shortness of breath.

If you have questions or concerns about this boxed warning, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other precautions

Before taking this drug, talk with your doctor about your health history. This drug may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

• Diabetic retinopathy. Taking Rybelsus may increase your risk for diabetic retinopathy(a form of eye damage due to diabetes). If you have a history of diabetic retinopathy, your doctor will monitor you closely while you use Rybelsus.
• Chronic kidney failure. Taking Rybelsus may cause chronic kidney failure to worsen. Your doctor will monitor you closely during your Rybelsus treatment.
• Pancreatitis. Rybelsus hasn’t been studied in people who have had a pancreas problem known as pancreatitis. So if you have this condition, your doctor will likely recommend a different diabetes medication.
• Allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to Rybelsus or any of its ingredients, your doctor won’t prescribe Rybelsus. They may recommend a different treatment that’s a better choice for you.
• Pregnancy. It’s usually not recommended that you take Rybelsus during pregnancy. For more information, please see the “Rybelsus and pregnancy” section above.
• Breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while taking Rybelsus. For more information, please see the “Rybelsus and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Rybelsus, see the “Rybelsus side effects” section above.

Do not take more Rybelsus than your doctor recommends.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Rybelsus from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stanceTrusted Source of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store Rybelsus tablets at room temperature (68°F to 77°F/20°C to 25°C) in the original container. If needed, you can keep the drug between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for a short time. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as in bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Rybelsus and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.