Rybelsus vs Ozempic: Could a New Pill Version of the Weight Loss Drug Beat Out the Injectable? Two Doctors Weigh In

If your primary goal is weight loss, learning more about the differences between Ozempic vs Rybelsus vs Wegovy is worthwhile. There’s no question that weight loss comes easier to some people than others. Some find it nearly impossible to lose excess pounds through diet and exercise alone. If you’re one of those people, you may weigh the pros and cons of weight loss medication.

Rybelsus is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. It works to decrease blood sugar levels by raising the level of insulin and lowering the level of a hormone called glucagon. Rybelsus also increases the amount of time that food stays in your stomach before moving through the rest of your digestive system. Rybelsus is approved to treat type 2 diabetes when used with a balanced diet and exercise. Type 1 diabetes is another form of diabetes, and it’s less common than type 2 diabetes.

Do Rybelsus 3-mg doses cause different side effects from 7-mg doses?

The Rybelsus pill should be taken by mouth on an empty stomach as soon as you wake up in the morning with a sip — less than 4 oz. Then simply wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking for best results. Rybelsus is part of the drug class GLP-1 receptor agonists, also known as incretin mimetic.

• However, as with any medication, there are pros and cons to consider.
• GLP-1 slows down digestion, reduces appetite, and promotes a feeling of fullness after meals.
• Do not use Rybelsus if you or any of your family members have ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).
• Since Rybelsus suppresses appetite and improves insulin sensitivity, any weight loss you experience will be gradual, occurring over several months.

Ozempic is also FDA-approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular problems—mainly heart attack or stroke—in adults with type 2 diabetes. Never take any medications that you are not prescribed by your doctor, and never borrow another person’s prescription medications. Since Rybelsus is not approved as a medication for weight loss, there is no official recommended dose for weight loss.

Rybelsus side effects

Researchers used blood tests to measure hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, which is a marker of blood sugar management. Target values of 7% are common for HbA1c, but this varies from person to person. Rybelsus is prescribed for type 2 diabetes as it’s proven to lower blood sugar. Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable drug that also contains semaglutide and is considered aGLP-1 receptor agonist. It’s FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes (along with diet and exercise), says Dr. Comite. It’s also approved to reduce the risk of serious cardiac events (like stroke, heart attack or death) in individuals with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist designed to help control blood glucose levels for those with type 2 diabetes. This medicine works by signalling the liver to slow the production and release of excess sugar from stored food sources, this helps maintain normal blood glucose levels after meals. Ozempic, popularly known as a “weight loss drug,” is actually not approved for weight loss by the U.S. Rather, it’s intended to help adults manage their Type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes since 2019 but the active ingredient, semaglutide, was approved prior to this.

Rybelsus may not be prescribed to pregnant women, women who side effects of rybelsus are trying to conceive, or women who are breastfeeding.