Rybelsus and Diarrhea: What Users Say (Page 2)

• ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I've been on Rybelsus for a little over a month for PCOS and have had an overall positive experience - just started the 7 mg dose. My doctor recommended it since I am at risk for type 2 diabetes (>30 BMI, borderline high fasting glucose with a normal A1C, and signs of insulin resistance from PCOS). I get some pretty extreme nausea whenever I eat junk food (fatty and/or sugary), but otherwise feel good. I'm hoping that the nausea I do get helps instill better long-term eating habits. I've also experienced appetite suppression, which has helped me prioritize proteins and vegetables. I did get alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea when starting this medicine and am expecting that I'll experience the same with the dose increase. I have felt far more energy, and my cravings for junk food have drastically reduced. So far, I've lost slightly more than 10 lbs and am shooting for another 50 to help get my PCOS under control."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I took 3 mg for 2 months and then started the 7 mg. The 3 mg I had heartburn, nausea, some diarrhea. Was uncomfortable but doable. But once on 7 mg, I had the same symptoms plus vomiting, constipation to the point of hemorrhoids, and severe heartburn to the point I almost went to the ER. I got out the label on this medicine, Rybelsus, and relooked up side effects symptoms on the computer. I immediately stopped on my own, messaging my doctor. Within 2 days, I felt so much better. This medicine is costly too, luckily I had insurance because I will not use this and it had to be disposed of. $ wasted."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with the 3 mg. Within a week, my bowel movements became loose. Other than that, it was fine. Started the 7 mg after a month. Within a week, I was nauseated constantly, along with diarrhea. The nausea got worse, and diarrhea continued. At three weeks, I had to stop taking it. The very next day, nausea stopped, and I have normal bowel movements again. I do not recommend this medication. Also, vomiting was a relief a few times."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with the 3 mg. Within a week, my bowel movements became loose. Other than that, it was fine. Started the 7 mg after a month. Within a week, I was nauseated constantly, along with diarrhea. The nausea got worse, and diarrhea continued. At three weeks, I had to stop taking it. The very next day, nausea stopped, and I have normal bowel movements again. I do not recommend this medication. Also, vomiting was a relief a few times."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2022

"I've been on Rybelsus for about 6 weeks now and am up to the 7 mg dose. I was placed on it to help lose PCOS-induced weight gain. It took about a month to get used to (minor vomiting, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea during the adjustment). I've lost almost 15 lbs, my anxiety levels have plummeted, and my skin is the clearest it's been in ages. I no longer have sugar or processed carb cravings, which I think is helping all of this. I'm lucky that my insurance is fully covering the medication since it is pricey."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 3, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "After suffering with this medicine, I decided to stop it. As bad as it was being on it, the past few days without it have been torture. I have missed work and plans because I couldn't leave my bathroom. Diarrhea and abdominal discomfort have hindered me from anything else. I don't know what to eat or when to eat. I have been miserable and can't get a hold of my doctor either. I hope I will feel better in a few more days."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "Rybelsus stabilized my blood sugar at near 7.0. I did not really lose weight with it, at least much. The problem is, Rybelsus caused nausea, diarrhea, and continuous gas. My stools were so loose I did not want to do anything outside of the house. I thought another medication was causing this, but when I was taken off Rybelsus for a few days, I felt so much better. Unfortunately, Ozempic causes gastroparesis with me, where I was super constipated, so I am still looking for a diabetic medication. Metformin messes up my stomach. Not sure what to do."

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2024

"I started using Rybelsus in October of 2023. My starting dosage was 3 mg, and then raised to 7 mg about 4 months later. I have encountered redness, hives, and itching on my calves, scaly skin, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, cramping, and dizziness. Most of those symptoms have gone away. I take it each morning alone and do not take anything else for at least 30 minutes. When I get to work, an hour later, I take my heart and blood pressure medicine (for Afib). I gained a lot of weight for multiple reasons. The main reason was because of depression and chronic back disease. I just had lower back fusion, which has stopped my back pain. This means I can exercise now without severe pain. The good news: since I have been taking Rybelsus, I have lost 70 pounds. I now weigh 330, and by January 1, 2025, I want to be 299. It works, but does have side effects. The key is using it as directed and learning to eat smaller, healthier food portions."

• ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "It worked great until I ran out and can't afford it; it's between $40 and $100 per month in Europe, but here in the USA/Canada, etc., they're asking for between $850 and $1500 per month... Who can afford that... BS. I hope someone does something to help, but that's not likely... So I'm not taking anything, and metformin gives me so much diarrhea that after 4 years I'm not taking it again... So hopefully, I'll keep on living till 2025 when the price should go down for a few months with my Medicare."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "Rybelsus has worked wonders for me. I started with the 3 mg for 1st month, then 7 mg for 3 mos. Still on my 3rd bottle, almost done. I'm 50 yrs old and weighed 271 lbs and now am at 249 lbs and lost 22 lbs; my A1C went from 8.4 to 5.3. I'm completely satisfied with my results. It really does suppress your appetite. I've had a few bouts of constipation, diarrhea, and nausea when I 1st started it. It wasn't right away either. However, there are no more side effects. I'm good over here!! Make sure you use the discount from the manufacturer online. $10/mo"

• kab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 24, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with the 3 mg, then 7 mg, and the fireworks started with the 14 mg. I started taking it the Saturday before Easter. The Tuesday after Easter, I started with diarrhea for about a week. My doctor said I may have diverticulitis and gave me an antibiotic. The diarrhea stopped for 2 weeks, then came back with a vengeance, and it brought vomiting and nausea with it. Like clockwork, every 4 days, the diarrhea would kick it off, followed by the nausea, and then the crescendo of puking my guts out. Then repeat 4 days later. I stopped taking it on a Monday, and that Friday got sick again. I read that it could take 4 to 5 weeks to get it out. It’s now 5 days, and I feel good finally. I did work on lowering my A1C, I think. I also changed my diet and started with a lot more exercise, and so far, things are good. I would avoid taking Semaglutide if possible. It didn’t work for me."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "Being a biomedical scientist, I am doing too much research on meds and get scared and become very resistant to trying anything when I read the side effects. I dropped my A1C from 10 to 8.5 just by diet during the pandemic and was thrilled. But going back to work and being indulgent with stress, now it went up to 11 and I was prescribed Rybelsus. Within 10 days, I dropped about 8 lbs, my weight was constant for a year before that. I did start a restricted diet with it and ramped up my exercise as I was very unhappy with my A1C. I am excited with this jump start but also a bit scared for a weight loss that fast. I will appreciate hearing from others if they had a similar experience. I am hoping it will stabilize and I will lose more weight but slowly, which is always the safest. I have noticed that I am not hungry, I am very excited about that, but my stomach is queasy and I have diarrhea. My morning sugar is always high, but it came down to 108 with the 3 mg."

• Lor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "My A1C is doing very well. Was a 7.6, now it's down to a 6.6. The side effects are a little disruptive. Diarrhea and nausea are the worst. It usually occurs within an hour of taking. I take it very early in the morning so my stomach is empty and I won't be tempted to eat or drink anything for the required 30 minutes. At first, the symptoms were not there. They have recently been worse in the last 3 months. I have been on this for a year. I did lose some weight but not what I thought I would."

• pco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Rybelsus 3 mg at the beginning of June actually for PCOS. I already take 1500 of Metformin and exercise 5 days a week. At first, I had horrible nausea and diarrhea, but as of the beginning of July, I feel normal. It curbs my cravings and suppresses my appetite. At first, I was barely eating, almost starving, but now I can eat a normal amount. I’ve lost 15 pounds in a month and am very happy with my results so far. Just started the 7 mg today, excited to see how it goes."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started Rybelsus with the 3 mg that the doctor gave me. Nausea started right away, but I could deal with it for the most part. When it was time to go to the 7 mg, I got scared of the thyroid cancer warnings and didn't continue with the drug. But my numbers started climbing after that again. So, a couple of months later, I started with the 7 mg that I had. I used it for a month, and the diarrhea, gas, and gurgling stomach increased each day. The diarrhea would wake me up in the middle of the night! I was having 5 to 6 bowel movements a day, I was afraid to leave the house. So, I saw the doctor and am going back to Trulicity, which I had fewer side effects with. I really wanted this medication to work for me as I need to lose a lot of weight. But the side effects are not worth it for me."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2024

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started with 3 mg for a month. And I had a few days of feeling sick, but it soon passed. But when I moved onto 7 mg, I started having severe diarrhea and then stomach pains. So I stopped taking it, and my Dr put me back into 3 mg. The good news is my diabetes became more tightly controlled, and I lost weight, which was pleasing. I’m going to ask my Dr to try 7 mg again after being on the lower dose for 3 months now and no side effects."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Rybelsus for over three months now. Initially, I saw multiple doctors with a complaint of chronic diarrhea while on Metformin. No one would consider taking me off of the Metformin. Finally, I went to a teaching facility, and they did stop it, and they put me on the Rybelsus. No problems at all with a 3 mg, and then we went to 7 mg. My taste buds suddenly changed, and I could not eat anything that was greasy or sweet, and I could not eat any meat. From the diarrhea, I lost 30 pounds. I have also been weak and tired every day. I have weird nightmares, and I am now walking and talking in my sleep. I have been on the 14 mg for two weeks now, and I was fine up until yesterday. It was as though I could feel my belly swelling up with gas, and it was very painful. Diarrhea has now turned to constipation. I used to drink three bottles of water a day, now I can’t even get down one because I can’t stand the taste of anything. I did not take my pill today because I am sick."

• Arn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 18, 2025

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have gone between 3 mg and 7 mg while using Rybelsus. I notice extreme joint pain, blurred vision, and dry eyes is reason for my doctor allowing me to switch between 3 mg and 7 mg meds. I also suffer from loose stools and constipation daily; however, my main concern is excruciating joint pain all through my entire body. Since I take one med for high blood pressure and the Rybelsus, I stopped taking the meds for blood pressure for 4 days and the side effects listed above remained. I really do not enjoy having to wait 30 minutes before having a meal. I will be meeting with my internal doctor and sadly discuss whether to remain on this useful med. I really do not want injection type of meds."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on for six days at a dose of 14 mg, and so far, no side effects, just a little diarrhea. I also have had no drop at all in my sugars, instead, they have gone higher, which I find weird. Just emailed my doctor to see what he thinks, and I might also add that I feel more hungry than before."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 19, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started on 3 mg, it did nothing. Then went to 7, and it only helped with curbing morning hunger. Then I went to 14 mg. For 1 month, things were fine, and I lost 10 pounds with minimal issues. Then, at the end of the month, things went very bad - horrible diarrhea - everything liquid went right through me with little warning. Also had horrible nausea, so bad that I couldn’t eat to take my insulin. Also had terrible reflux that was horribly disgusting - more so than regular reflux. This went on for days, and I finally stopped taking it. Seems like there should be a dose between 7 and 14, or maybe my body just finally rejected it. I was so hoping this would work. What a disappointment - I ordered a second prescription for $300+ and can’t use it."

• mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I experienced slight stomach issues, mild diarrhea for about 5 days on and off... no nausea or other side effects except a decreased appetite, but after 3 months my hunger has kind of returned. My blood sugar came down about 60 points... on 7 mg so I am not sure what will happen when I go to 14 mg. Overall, this medicine is very good and very, very expensive."

• SuT...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on Rybelsus for 11 days now. The first few days were horrible. I had diarrhea and stomach pains, even threw up twice. I am still having side effects on day 11 but not as bad. I’m taking Zofran for the nausea. I have already lost 8 lbs, which I’m sure is not healthy, but I don’t have an appetite on this medication. Before this medication, I would eat all the time, it seemed like I never was full. My sugar levels are as low as they’ve ever been. I am tired and have lower energy. I'm hoping after another week on it the side effects will subside. I have been struggling with weight loss my whole adult life and can never break through the plateau phase. I think this medication will help if I can withstand the side effects."

• BDC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2022

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was taking 500 mg Metformin and still had high glucose levels, so two months ago I was put on Rybelsus in addition. Started on 3 mg and then increased to 7 mg after one month. The worst side effect I’ve had is severe bloating, gas, and nausea. Had some diarrhea as well. There are times I feel like my stomach is going to explode! It’s horrible! And things just don’t taste right to me anymore. It’s hard to enjoy any food because it just doesn’t taste good. I’m not sure if I want to keep taking this medication, so I’m going to contact my endocrinologist. It’s very hard to deal with all the bloating and gas. But my glucose numbers have improved."

• JAM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2023

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been on this medicine for 2 months now. My doctor, for whatever reason, started me off on a 14 mg a day dose, which of course makes me sick to my stomach a lot. I have lost some weight, but I guess I have no other choice the way my stomach feels. Some days are a lot worse than others, but just the last several days, I have been battling diarrhea, and this is the newest side effect. I will have to say one positive is my sugar has been great, to the point I stopped taking glipizide altogether and just rely on the Rybelsus to keep it where it needs to be."

• Not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2021

For Type 2 Diabetes "Started with 3 mg, no effects. Then 7 mg. Hurt my developmental delay daughter's belly. But seemed to cut down eating. Sugar stayed the same. Two months on 7 mg, then tried 14 mg. Gave diarrhea a couple of days, hurt her belly. Sugar level same. Gave more diarrhea, and after a month, sugar levels same. Eating was cut down. Might have lost 5 lbs. But no menstrual cycle. Two weeks late. Took her off Rybelsus, and 6 days later, the menstrual cycle came back. Not for us. If it would have lowered sugar levels, I would have kept her on it."