Ever heard of the so-called "pill version of Ozempic" ? That would be Rybelsus. It’s a tablet that contains semaglutide, which is the same active ingredient as Ozempic.
So, does that mean Rybelsus could help you reach your health goals? Possibly. You can lose weight while taking it, though it’s not officially a weight loss drug.
If that sounds confusing, don’t worry—we’ve got you. We’ve explained everything you need to know about Rybelsus below.
What is Rybelsus?
Rybelsus is a prescription medicine that’s used to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
Like Ozempic, Rybelsus is licensed as a treatment for diabetes, but is sometimes used off-label for weight loss in the UK. Only it’s taken as a pill rather than an injection.
How does Rybelsus work?
Rybelsus uses the same active ingredient as the medicines Ozempic and Wegovy, which means that it works in the same way they do (FYI: Wegovy is the same medicine as Ozempic. It has a different name because it’s licensed for weight loss rather than diabetes).
That is, Rybelsus acts like the natural gut hormone GLP-1 to make you feel full and suppress your cravings. It also keeps your blood sugar in check by stimulating the release of insulin when you eat and telling your liver to make less glucose.
Okay, so how long does Rybelsus take to work? We can’t say for sure because everyone’s different, but you might start to notice some changes within a few weeks or months.
Does Rybelsus cause weight loss?
Yep, clinical research has shown that it can.
In one study, the average weight loss in people taking 14mg Rybelsus was 5% after 26 weeks compared to placebo.
What is Rybelsus prescribed for?
Right now, Rybelsus is only licensed for type 2 diabetes, though that may change in future.
Some services might prescribe Rybelsus off-label for weight loss. But because there are other medicines that are specifically licensed for weight loss, like Wegovy or Mounjaro, it’s more likely that your provider will prescribe those instead.
Rybelsus dosage for weight loss and how to take it
Currently, you can get Rybelsus in three doses: 3mg, 7mg and 14mg. These doses were decided with type 2 diabetes in mind. But for now, those three strengths are what’s available.
Here’s how to take Rybelsus: Swallow one tablet whole per day (no chewing or crushing the tablet as this might affect how well it’s absorbed) on an empty stomach. It doesn’t matter what time you take it. Wash the pill down with a sip of water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other oral medicines.
People who are prescribed Rybelsus will usually start off on the lowest dose so that their body can adjust to the medicine, which reduces the risk of side effects. After a month (30 days), if they tolerate the medicine okay, their provider will up the dose to 7mg.
Then, at least another 30 days later, the dose will increase to 14mg if treatment has been tolerated well, which will maximise weight loss results.
Rybelsus vs other GLP-1 weight loss medications
So what are some alternatives to Rybelsus, and how do the different medicines compare?
First, let’s look at Wegovy weight loss injections, which also use semaglutide. In a head-to-head comparison of the two medicines in people with type 2 diabetes, where the max dose of Rybelsus was 14mg, those taking Wegovy lost more weight.
On average, Wegovy leads to around 14.9% body weight reduction. But a newer trial looking at participants taking a higher 7.2mg dose of Wegovy found they lost an average of 20.7% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
There are also Mounjaro weight loss injections. These act like GLP-1 but also another hormone called GIP. It’s this dual action that makes Mounjaro more potent than the other medicines. Clinical research shows that after 72 weeks on Mounjaro, the average loss is 22.5%.
Is Rybelsus safe to use?
Rybelsus will only be prescribed if it’s safe for you to take. It’s not recommended for everyone.
You shouldn’t take Rybelsus if:
- You or anyone in your family has ever had medullary thyroid cancer
- You have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or are trying to conceive
- You have type 1 diabetes
Also: tell your provider if you have a medical condition or you’re taking other medicines.
Side effects of Rybelsus
Up to one in ten people might get side effects from Rybelsus. The most common symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Being sick
- Stomach pain, bloating, or indigestion
- Constipation
- Tiredness
It’s rare, but sometimes side effects can be more serious. Up to one in 1,000 people might have an allergic reaction to the medicine (your face and throat might swell, and you might have trouble breathing) or an inflamed pancreas, aka pancreatitis. Here, the main thing to look out for is severe pain in your stomach which gradually gets worse. See a doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
Where can I buy Rybelsus?
Because Rybelsus is licensed for type 2 diabetes, you won’t be able to get it on the NHS for weight loss. But some private providers might offer it.
Be careful here: All online providers either need to be a registered pharmacy (for services like ours) or registered with the Care Quality Commission and General Medical Council (for online doctor services). Otherwise, you can’t guarantee the medicines you’re buying are genuine, safe, or quality assured.
Start your weight loss journey
Ready to take your next step towards your health goals? Weight loss medicine could be a great option if you’ve tried to lose weight another way, but you didn’t get the results you hoped for. If that’s you—we see you.
Weight loss medicines aren’t a quick fix. They’re meant to be taken for at least a year, alongside healthy lifestyle changes.
You can build a routine just like that via our weight loss programme. You’ll get one-to-one support from our team of expert coaches, who will help you create a personalised plan of action—and will be right there with you each step of the way.
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