About Rybelsus Tablets

Medication Name	Rybelsus Tablets
Active Ingredient	Semaglutide
Medication Form	Tablet
Used to Treat	Type 2 Diabetes (Licensed Use) Weight Loss (Unlicensed Use)
Available Dosage	2mg, 7mg, 14mg
Other names this medication is known by	Oral semaglutide
Common Side Effects	Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
Do you need a prescription for it?	Yes
How should it be taken?	Once a day, 30 minutes before food
Patient Information Leaflet	Rybelsus Patient Information Leaflet

What is Rybelsus?

Rybelsus is a prescription-only medicine that contains the active substance semaglutide, which is designed to lower blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes.

While it’s primarily licensed to treat type 2 diabetes when diet and exercise aren’t enough, clinical studies have shown it’s also effective in promoting weight loss by reducing appetite. Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, is the same medication found in the injectable treatments Ozempic and Wegovy.

Some doctors and pharmacists may prescribe Rybelsus off-label for weight loss in the UK, though its primary approved use is for type 2 diabetes treatment.

How does Rybelsus work?

Rybelsus belongs to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications mimic a natural hormone in your body that regulates blood sugar and appetite and:

• Helps your body produce more insulin when your blood sugar is high. Insulin is the hormone responsible for moving sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy.
• Reduces the amount of sugar your liver releases into your bloodstream, which helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
• Slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, which means sugar enters your bloodstream more gradually after meals. This slower digestion also helps you feel fuller for longer, which is why many people experience reduced appetite and weight loss while taking Rybelsus.

Who can take Rybelsus?

Rybelsus is for adults (18 years and older) with type 2 diabetes who need additional help managing their glucose levels when diet and exercise alone aren’t enough.

You may be prescribed Rybelsus in these situations:

• On its own, when you can’t use metformin (a common first-line diabetes medication).
• Together with other diabetes medications, when your current treatment isn’t providing adequate blood sugar control.
• As part of a treatment plan that may include other oral diabetes medications or injectable treatments like insulin.

Your doctor or pharmacist may also consider off-label prescribing Rybelsus for weight loss to adults over 18 with a BMI of 30 or more or a BMI of 27 or more with at least one weight-related condition, like high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.

Who can’t take Rybelsus?

Your doctor will need to know about all your medical conditions and medications before deciding if Rybelsus is right for you.

Rybelsus is not suitable for everyone, and you shouldn’t take it if:

• You have type 1 diabetes
• You develop diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious complication with symptoms including high blood sugar, breathing difficulty, confusion, excessive thirst, and a sweet smell to the breath)
• You’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer
• You’re allergic to semaglutide or any other ingredients in Rybelsus

If you’re scheduled for surgery requiring anaesthesia, make sure to inform your doctor that you’re taking Rybelsus.

Rybelsus Ingredients

Active Ingredients: Semaglutide (3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg, depending on the strength)

Inactive Ingredients: Salcaprozate sodium, Povidone K90, Microcrystalline cellulose, Magnesium stearate

Each tablet contains 23 mg of sodium, which is equivalent to about 1% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake for an adult.

Rybelsus Dosage Options

Rybelsus tablets come in three different dosages: 3mg, 7mg, and 14mg. Your doctor will typically start you on a lower dose and gradually increase it based on how your body responds.

The standard dosing schedule begins with 3mg tablets once daily for the first month. This initial phase helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the chance of digestive side effects.

After a month on the 3mg dose, most patients will move up to the 7mg strength if they’ve tolerated the medication well. Many people find that the 7mg dose provides good blood sugar control and stays at this level.

If additional blood sugar control is needed after at least one month on the 7mg dose, your doctor may recommend increasing to the 14mg strength, which is the maximum daily dose.

You should never adjust your Rybelsus dosage without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Taking more than the prescribed dose won’t improve results but could increase side effects. If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, contact your doctor immediately.

How to Take Rybelsus

Take Rybelsus once daily, preferably first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Swallow the tablet whole with a small sip of water (no more than 120 ml) and wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other oral medications.

Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet, as this may reduce how well the medication works. The special formulation will help your body absorb the medication properly.

If you miss a dose, simply skip it and take your next dose as usual the following day. Don’t take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Rybelsus Side Effects

Like all medications, Rybelsus can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. Most side effects occur during the first few months of treatment and typically decrease over time as your body adjusts to the medication.

Common Side Effects

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Indigestion
• Reflux or heartburn
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Low blood sugar (especially when used with other diabetes medications)

Uncommon Side Effects

• Allergic reactions like rash or itching
• Changes in taste perception
• Faster heart rate
• Gallstones
• Delayed stomach emptying

Rare Side Effects

• Serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), causing severe stomach pain that doesn’t go away

All side effects are listed in the patient information leaflet.

Stay well-hydrated while taking Rybelsus, as some side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, can lead to dehydration. If you experience severe or persistent side effects, contact your pharmacist or doctor.

If you notice any changes in vision or eye problems while taking Rybelsus, speak with your doctor. Rapid improvements in your blood sugar can sometimes temporarily worsen diabetic eye disease.

Alternatives to Weight Loss Treatments

While Rybelsus contains semaglutide and can help many patients lose weight, it’s primarily licensed for diabetes treatment. If your main goal is weight loss, there are several alternatives:

Semaglutide Injections (Wegovy)

Wegovy contains the same active ingredient (semaglutide) as Rybelsus but is specifically licensed for weight loss in adults with obesity or overweight with weight-related conditions in an injectable form. Wegovy typically produces more significant weight loss than Rybelsus because it’s administered as a weekly injection rather than a daily tablet.

The difference between Rybelsus vs Wegovy is that Wegovy uses higher doses of semaglutide and is approved for weight management in the UK.

Other Weight Loss Injections

Liraglutide (Saxenda) is a daily injection approved for weight management, and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is a weekly injection showing promising weight loss results. These medications work similarly to semaglutide by reducing appetite and slowing digestion. All require a prescription and may be suitable alternatives if Rybelsus or Wegovy aren’t appropriate for you.

Other Weight Loss Tablets

Weight loss tablets like Orlistat reduce fat absorption in the digestive system, whereas Naltrexone-bupropion (Mysimba) affects brain pathways involved in hunger and cravings. These work differently from semaglutide tablets for weight loss, and some, like Alli, are available over the counter in lower strengths.

Important Information

• Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medication after the expiry date.