Rybelsus is an FDA-approved medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, developed the drug, which was released in 2017. Novo Nordisk specializes in the development of GLP-1 agonists, which have been shown to effectively manage insulin levels in type 2 diabetics. Novo Nordisk created the drugs Wegovy and Ozempic, which are both based on a molecule known as "semaglutide." They discovered that these drugs suppressed appetites and resulted in remarkable weight loss properties in diabetic patients who were overweight or obese. As a result, they decided to market the molecule in a higher dosage under a new brand name designed specifically for weight loss, Wegovy. Rybelsus has the same active ingredient as Wegovy in an oral (pill) form. Due to supply shortages of Wegovy, your doctor may choose to prescribe Rybelsus for weight-loss at a potentially higher dosage to closely match the weight-loss properties of Wegovy.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Rybelsus. Semaglutide mimics the effects of incretin, a hormone produced by your body when you eat food. After a large meal, your body produces incretin, which signals fullness and instructs your brain to stop eating. Furthermore, it aids in the prevention of the effects of insulin resistance, which contributes to a sense of fullness and reduces cravings for sugary or unhealthy foods. Rybelsus has been shown to have excellent weight loss properties when combined with diet and exercise.
Rybelsus is taken as a once-daily pill.
The most common Rybelsus side effects are nausea and gastrointestinal issues. To reduce these side effects, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication while you are taking the drug. Rybelsus has several positive side effects, including lower A1C levels and a lower risk of heart disease. Rybelsus has some rare and potentially serious side effects that your doctor will discuss with you based on your family and medical history in order to determine if the drug is right for you.