Rybelsus

What is Rybelsus?

Rybelsus is a prescription medication given to adults with type 2 diabetes to help lower their blood sugar (glucose) when used with exercise and diet changes. It is a non-insulin medication that causes your pancreas to produce more insulin, helping to lower your blood glucose levels. You take Rybelsus in tablet form, usually once a day when you first wake up but make sure you always use your Rybelsus as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

How it works

The active ingredient in Rybelsus is called semaglutide. It's a non-insulin drug that can help lower your blood glucose levels by stimulating the cells in your pancreas that produce insulin (called beta cells). When you take Rybelsus, semaglutide molecules attach to beta cells in your pancreas at sites called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors. The semaglutide stimulates these receptors, which makes the beta cells produce more insulin, helping to lower your blood sugar after you've eaten. Semaglutide also encourages the growth of more beta cells in your pancreas, allowing your pancreas to produce higher levels of insulin, reversing any declines in your body's insulin production.

Typical dosing

• You take Rybelsus in tablet form, usually once a day when you first wake up. Always use it as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

This is general dosing information, not a prescription. Only your provider determines the dose that’s appropriate for you.

Safety information

As with all medications, Rybelsus can cause side effects. The most common include nausea (feeling sick), vomiting (being sick), stomach (abdominal) pain, constipation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. For some people, Rybelsus can cause more serious side effects. These are rarer but can include an increased risk of thyroid tumors, including cancerous tumors; inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis); changes in your vision; very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia); and severe allergic reactions to the medication that can cause itching, rashes, swelling, and difficulties breathing. Tell your prescribing physician if you take any of the following as they can interact with Rybelsus: insulin (Rybelsus can be used alongside insulin, but your doctor may change the dose of insulin you take and/or how often you take insulin); any other medications taken to treat type 2 diabetes, like sulfonylureas; or any medications you take by mouth to reduce the risk of blood clots (oral anticoagulants) like warfarin. Don't take Rybelsus if you: are allergic to the active ingredient semaglutide; are allergic to any of the other ingredients in Rybelsus; have had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if anyone in your family has; have an endocrine system condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2); have pancreatitis (inflammation of your pancreas); have type 1 diabetes (Rybelsus is for type 2 diabetes only); or are under 18 years of age. Talk to your doctor before taking Rybelsus if you: are taking any of the medications that could interact with Rybelsus; have had any problems with your pancreas; have had any problems with your kidneys; have or have ever had any problems with your eyes, including cataracts or glaucoma; are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant; or are breastfeeding or are planning to breastfeed. It is possible that you may lose weight while taking Rybelsus, however, the medication isn't intended to be used for weight loss.