Rybelsus®

GLP-1, semaglutide, injection

Rybelsus® mimics a gut hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). GLP-1 slows digestion and helps you feel full. It also:

Reduces appetite

Regulates insulin

Balances blood sugar

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Everything you need to know about
Rybelsus®

What is

Rybelsus®

Benefits How it works How to use it

What is
Rybelsus®
?

Rybelsus is a prescription drug that’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat type 2 diabetes. Combined with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise, it can reduce the risk of heart-related deaths by as much as 51% in adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease or who are at risk for heart disease. Clinicians prescribe it off-label for weight loss because clinical evidence shows it also helps people with excess weight and obesity lose weight.

‍More on off-label prescribing

Rybelsus is a brand-name version of an oral semaglutide manufactured by Novo Nordisk. It is a synthetic version of the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone. There’s no generic version that is approved by the FDA.

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Benefits of
Rybelsus®

Expected weight loss depends on the dosage of Rybelsus. Research shows that over 26 weeks, people on the 7 mg dosage lost around 5 pounds, and those on the 14 mg dosage lost around 8 pounds. (Safe weight loss is one to two pounds per week.)

Rybelsus may have more benefits than just treating type 2 diabetes and weight management. Research suggests that oral semaglutide reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk. Semaglutide improves heart health by lowering blood sugar and helping people lose excess weight.

How does
Rybelsus®
work?

Rybelsus is a synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA). A drug that works as an agonist activates the same cell receptors as the body’s natural hormones. So, Rybelsus works in the body like its natural GLP-1.

Eating triggers the gut to release GLP-1. This hormone helps lower blood glucose (blood sugar) by stimulating insulin secretion and reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver.

Rybelsus slows digestion, which helps curb hunger and signal fullness to the brain. As a result, some people with obesity have lost weight while taking it.

It’s important to note that GLP-1 medications don’t work for everyone. There are dozens of biological reasons why people struggle to lose weight. Found’s clinicians, trained in obesity medicine, can help patients identify the root cause of their weight gain and personalize a prescription to target it. All prescriptions are up to a medical provider’s discretion.

More on personalized treatment with Found

How to use it

Take Rybelsus as instructed by a qualified health care provider. Patients typically take Rybelus, a tablet, once daily on an empty stomach in the morning with a sip of water. Wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking after taking Rybelsus. Store Rybelsus in its bottle with the cap on at room temperature away from moisture—don’t store it in the bathroom.

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Dosing

For most patients, Rybelsus dosing begins with 3 mg taken once daily by mouth for 30 days. After 30 days, the dosage is typically increased to 7 mg taken once daily for another 30 days. If clinically appropriate after at least 30 days on a 7 mg dose, your provider may increase the dosage again to a 14 mg daily pill, the highest prescribed dosage.

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Side effects

Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles while taking Rybelsus it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly.

Use effective contraception while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Rybelsus.

The FDA also warns not to take Rybelsus if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Rybelsus isn’t the right fit.

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Black Box Warning

Although rare, semaglutide caused thyroid C-cell tumors in animal studies. Rybelsus’ “black box” warns of the risk of these tumors. If you have trouble swallowing, develop hoarseness, or feel swelling or a lump in your neck, contact your health care provider immediately.

Precautions

Rapid or significant weight loss can lead to too much muscle loss. To protect your muscles while taking Rybelsus it’s important to start a strength training program and exercise regularly.

Use effective contraception while taking this medication. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take Rybelsus.

The FDA also warns not to take Rybelsus if you have a personal or family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, medullary thyroid cancer, insulin-dependent diabetes, or diabetic ketoacidosis. So, if that’s you, Rybelsus isn’t the right fit.

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Interactions

Some drugs can also interact with Rybelsus, including:

Insulin
Sulfonylureas (these can cause blood sugar levels to drop dangerously low when combined with Rybelsus)
Some birth control pills
Other GLP-1 or GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist medications such as liraglutide, dulaglutide, or tirzepatide

You should not drink alcohol while taking this drug because alcohol can lower blood sugar. Combining alcohol with Rybelsus may cause blood sugars to fall too fast, leading to fainting and dizziness.

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about
found

Found is an online weight loss program offering personalized care for every member. Some of the nation’s top obesity medicine specialists helped design our program. Our approach is based on science, and we’re committed to clinical excellence.

Members get access to: Clinicians trained in obesity medicine 1:1 health coaching Self-paced lifestyle change program designed by doctors, psychologists, and behavioral scientists Exclusive in-app community.

Found’s comprehensive program is designed to work with your body—so you can achieve lasting results and enjoy better health.

Alternative medications

Depending on your health history, weight history, and MetabolicPrint^TM assessment, your Found health care provider may consider other alternatives to help you lose weight. Some are FDA-approved for weight loss. Others are used off-label and have strong clinical evidence supporting their use for weight loss.

Unfortunately, there are no generic versions of Ozempic currently on the market.
However, your health care provider might consider alternatives such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Saxenda, all of which are GLP-1 medications but not all are FDA-approved for weight loss specifically.