RYBELSUS® Tablet (Semaglutide)

Rybelsus® is also used for weight loss when clinically appropriate

Rybelsus® (semaglutide) is an oral (tablet/pill) GLP-1medication that helps patients with type 2 diabetes regulate blood sugar levels. Rybelsus® was FDA-approved for type-2 diabetes in September, 2019. The recommended starting dosage of Rybelsus® is 3.0mg daily for 30 days. After your first month, the dosage may be increased to 7.0mg daily for another 30 days. If necessary, after another 30 days, the dose may be increased again to 14.0mg daily (as tolerated). Your appropriate and effective Rybelsus® dose will be prescribed and monitored by your obesity medicine specialist at Worthy Weight Loss and may be adjusted to help you meet your blood sugar control and weight loss goals.

Rybelsus®, like other GLP-1 medications, mimics the incretin hormone known as GLP-1, which is naturally produced by the body. This GLP-1 hormone is released upon food consumption and promotes a sense of fullness by delaying gastric emptying and activating the brain’s satiety centers. Additionally, GLP-1 enhances insulin production in the pancreas and suppresses glucagon production, aiding in blood sugar normalization. The effects of the GLP-1 incretin hormone not only assist in regulating and improving blood sugar levels, but also contributes to weight loss and obesity management.

Rybelsus® is manufactured by Novo Nordisk and offers an alternative to their other two popular GLP-1 medications, Ozempic® and Wegovy®. All three medications share the same active ingredient known as “Semaglutide.” Rybelsus® is an oral form of semaglutide that is indicated for use in adults with type-2 diabetes. Similar to Ozempic®, Rybelsus® has been shown to produce weight loss in patients with overweight or obesity. It is one of several GLP-1 medications prescribed at Worthy Weight Loss.

Rybelsus® is preferred for those patients who have a fear of needles or those who find injections inconvenient. When used along with intensive lifestyle interventions, Rybelsus® may help you achieve your weight loss and health goals more effectively and sustainably than diet alone.

You are eligible to take Rybelsus® (semaglutide) if you are 18 years or over with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, Rybelsus® (semaglutide) can also be used (as off-label) for treating obesity and overweight if you meet the following criteria:

1. BMI 30 or more.
2. BMI of 27 or greater with a related health problem such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prediabetes, sleep apnea, fatty liver or other weight-related health conditions.
3. No personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2.
4. No history of pancreatitis.

Although Rybelsus® is not primarily FDA-approved for weight loss, some studies have reported that individuals taking this medication at the 14mg dose lost an average of 8-10lbs. When combined with intensive lifestyle changes, including a prescribed nutritional and exercise plan, some patients at Worthy Weight Loss who took Rybelsus® experienced a reduction of approximately 10% of their initial weight.