Rybelsus (Semaglutide tablets)

Rybelsus is a prescription medication for type 2 diabetes. It contains Semaglutide and is taken once a day in tablet form.

Rybelsus was approved for treatment in Europe in April 2020. It is mainly prescribed for type 2 diabetes in cases where regular diabetes treatments haven’t worked. This is because it helps lower blood sugar levels.

However, weight loss was found to be a common side effect of Rybelsus and the injectable equivalent Ozempic. So, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. This term means that your doctor prescribes a medicine for a different purpose (rather than what it’s been licensed for).

Due to this, semaglutide has been manufactured solely as a weight loss treatment in the form of the weight loss injection Wegovy in January 2022. However, many prefer oral tablets, which is why Rybelsus is sometimes preferred over the licensed treatments.

Rybelsus has several benefits when it comes to diabetes management and weight loss.

• It’s easy to take - you take tablets once daily.
• There are no needles - if you’re worried about injecting yourself, you won’t have to do that on Rybelsus.
• It promotes gradual weight loss - gradual weight loss is much more effective and ensures you keep off the weight long-term.
• It encourages healthy habits - it will help you maintain your diet and lifestyle habits once you finish treatment.

These factors may help you choose a treatment that’s right for you.

Rybelsus has been shown to be an effective diabetes treatment. A 26-week trial with 822 participants showed that it has a 44% greater blood sugar level control than regularly prescribed diabetes medicine.

Similar studies also demonstrate the effectiveness of Rybelsus for weight loss. A 2023 study found that patients, on average, experienced a 15.1% decrease in their weight after 68 weeks on Rybelsus. These results were similar to those of those who take the 2.4mg injected dose of Semaglutide (Wegovy).

You should start to see results on Rybelsus after 30 days of taking it. Your blood sugar will start to stabilise and you should have lost some weight. This is because it takes a while before a steady level of semaglutide is in your bloodstream.

However, it may take 2-3 months to see the full effects on your blood sugar levels and weight.

One study showed that modest improvements in weight and blood sugar levels occurred by week 26 of treatment. A separate study with patients on the highest dose saw an average of 2% weight loss by week 4.

What dose do I take?

The starting dose is 3mg once daily for one month.

After one month, you can increase your dose to 7mg once daily for one month.

After that, you can increase your dose to 14mg once daily if you find that 7 mg does not control your blood sugar. This is the maximum dose you can take.

If you experience persistent side effects on the 14mg dose, you can reduce your dose back down to 7mg.

How to take it

Swallow each tablet whole with a sip of water (up to 120ml). Do not split, crush or chew the tablets.

Do not take tablets with food, drink or other medication as this will reduce the effectiveness.

When to take it

Take each tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

You should wait at least 30 minutes before having your first meal or drink of the day.

You should also wait 30 minutes before taking any other oral medication. This will ensure proper absorption of the medicine.

How long do I take it for?

Your doctor will decide how long you will need to take Rybelsus.

You will need to continue taking it until your blood sugar levels are well controlled or have reached a healthy BMI (for weight loss).

Do not stop taking Rybelsus without consulting your doctor first.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your regular dose the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for it.

If you take more than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. You may experience side effects like nausea.

To see the full effects of Rybelsus and improve your diabetes, it is essential that you modify your diet and lifestyle.

Diet on Rybelsus

You will need to reduce how many calories you consume daily. This is because your body stores excess calories as fat. So, you need to burn more calories than you consume to burn off that fat.

You can use our calorie calculator below to find out how many calories you need to consume a day to lose weight.

You should also prioritise healthy foods to help stabilise your blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. You should also limit processed sugars to help lower your blood sugar.

To effectively manage type 2 diabetes through diet, focus on balanced meals rich in fibre, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Swap refined sugars and processed carbs for wholegrains, and eat smaller, more frequent meals to maintain steady blood sugar levels,

Silvia Fonda Nutritionist

It’s also recommended that you eat smaller meals more frequently. This is so you don’t experience huge spikes in your blood sugar throughout the day.

Exercise on Rybelsus

Alongside modifying your eating habits, you should also increase your physical activity. This will help burn calories, improve your blood sugar, and prevent diabetes complications.

You could do cardio (e.g., running), lift weights, go swimming, try yoga, try pilates, or even just go on walks. Start exercising a little and often, and gradually increase the intensity once you build your stamina.

Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Choose activities you enjoy, such as joining a gym, doing a fitness class, or exercising with a friend.

As with all medications, there is a chance you may experience some side effects.

These side effects are usually mild and go away once you have finished treatment.

Mild side effects can also be managed with simple lifestyle tips. Staying hydrated and taking probiotics will help with diarrhoea and vomiting. Your doctor will also need to alter the dose of your current diabetes medicines to reduce the risk of hypoglycaemia.

However, if your symptoms don’t go away or you experience more severe side effects, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Uncommon side effects

Uncommon side effects can affect up to 1 in every 100 people who take this medicine.

A serious uncommon side effect is acute pancreatitis, a condition which causes an inflamed pancreas. This may cause symptoms such as:

• sudden and severe pain in the centre of your stomach
• feeling or being sick
• a high temperature of 38°C or more (fever)

If you experience these side effects, seek urgent medical attention.

Please consult the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects.

Rybelsus is suitable for those with type 2 diabetes who have not had success controlling their blood sugar levels with their current diabetes medication.

It can be prescribed to people off-label for weight loss. This term simply means that your doctor is prescribing a medicine for a different purpose (rather than what it’s been licensed for).

People with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above are eligible. Alternatively, it can be prescribed to those with a BMI of 27 or above if they have a weight-related condition, such as:

• prediabetes
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• heart disease (e.g. high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke or coronary artery disease)
• osteoarthritis or gout
• chronic back pain
• fatty liver disease
• gallbladder disease

You can calculate your BMI at euroClinix for free below.

Who cannot take it

You cannot take Rybelsus if you:

• have type 1 diabetes
• develop diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes caused by high blood sugar levels)
• are allergic to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients of Rybelsus

Cautions

Consult your doctor before taking Rybelsus if you have:

• diabetic retinopathy - the medicine may make this condition temporarily worse
• a history of pancreatitis
• severe congestive heart failure

If you are unsure whether these factors apply to you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Our doctors at euroClinix will be able to know if it’s suitable for you when you complete our consultation form about your medical history before prescribing you the medication.

Yes, Rybelsus can interact with other medications. Ask your doctor before taking Rybelsus if you take any of the following:

• sulfonylurea medicines (e.g. gliclazide or glimepiride) or insulin for type 2 diabetes - you may need to alter your dose and monitor your blood sugar levels more frequently
• levothyroxine for thyroid disease - your doctor may need to check your thyroid levels before taking Rybelsus
• warfarin or any medicine to reduce blood clotting (anti-coagulants) - you may need frequent blood tests to check how quickly your blood clots

If you take any other medication not listed, consult your doctor before starting Rybelsus.

Please consult the patient information leaflet for a full list of potential interactions.

This medicine does not have any specific storage requirements. However, you should keep it out of sight and reach of children.

Do not use it past the expiry date. This date should be on the medicine carton after EXP and refers to the last date of the month.

You should dispose of expired medicine at your local pharmacy. You must not dispose of medicine in your general waste or down the toilet as this harms the environment.

No, Rybelsus is not available over the counter. It is only available via prescription from a registered doctor. This is so the doctor can ensure the medicine is safe for you to use. However, if you cannot get to your GP, you can get a prescription from an online healthcare provider such as euroClinix.

Ordering Rybelsus through euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:

• Start a confidential online questionnaire from the top of this page. Completing it takes about 5-10 minutes.
• A UK-registered doctor will review your consultation.
• If approved, the doctor will issue an electronic prescription.
• A licensed UK pharmacy sends your medication in discreet packaging. The pharmacy will also share tracking information. You get free with next-day delivery.

euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.

euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.

The process is convenient, with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions about our services.

The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.

Choosing euroClinix ensures a trusted, professional, and supportive service for your weight loss journey.

The price of Rybelsus will depend on the healthcare provider. At euroClinix, we have competitive prices that include free delivery and consultation.

There are many factors to consider when determining which treatment is best for you. Below are all the alternative treatment options available and how they compare to Rybelsus.

Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Rybelsus, Ozempic and Wegovy. However, there are some differences between these medications:

	Medicinal form	Approved type 2 diabetes	Approved for weight loss	Prescribed off-label for weight loss
Rybelsus
Ozempic
Wegovy				-

These three medications have similar side effects and precautions because they contain the same active ingredient. However, injections may cause some irritation at the injection site.

Weight loss injections

There are also weight loss injections that belong to the same family of medicine as Rybelsus but contain different active ingredients. They work similarly except they are licensed for weight loss, like Wegovy.

Weight loss pills

There are also licensed weight loss tablets.