Rybelsus

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Rybelsus is to used to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus is not for use in patients with type 1 diabetes and people with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Rybelsus Overview

Reviewed: March 26, 2020
Updated: 

Rybelsus is a prescription medication used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes. Rybelsus belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. In addition to slowing the movement of food through the stomach, Rybelsus works by stimulating the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels are high which helps move sugar from the blood into other body tissues where it is used for energy.

This medication comes in tablet form. It is taken on an empty stomach with a sip of plain water, no more than 4 ounces, when you first wake up. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Common side effects include nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, diarrhea and decreased appetite.

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Rybelsus Drug Class

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Rybelsus is part of the drug class:

Rybelsus FDA Warning

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WARNING: RISK OF THYROID C−CELL TUMORS

  • In rodents, semaglutide causes dose-dependent and treatment-duration- dependent thyroid C-cell tumors at clinically relevant exposures. It is unknown whether Rybelsus causes thyroid C-cell tumors, including medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), in humans as human relevance of semaglutide-induced rodent thyroid C-cell tumors has not been determined.

  • Rybelsus is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of MTC or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Counsel patients regarding the potential risk for MTC with the use of Rybelsus and inform them of symptoms of thyroid tumors (e.g. a mass in the neck, dysphagia, dyspnea, persistent hoarseness). Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with Rybelsus.