How much weight can you lose with Rybelsus?
- Although Rybelsus is not a weight loss drug, many people lose weight while taking it.
- People lost, on average, five pounds (2.3kg) while taking Rybelsus 7mg, and 8.1 pounds (3.7kg) while taking Rybelsus 14mg.
- One of the ways Rybelsus works is by helping to make you feel full after a meal.
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medicine that is used to improve blood sugar control in adults over the age of 18 with type 2 diabetes. It may be prescribed as first-line therapy in addition to diet and exercise or in addition to other medications typically used for type 2 diabetes.
Weight losses of 2kg to 4kg may occur in people taking Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes. Research has shown that after 26 weeks people lost an average of:
- 5 pounds (2.3kg) while taking Rybelsus 7mg
- 8.1 pounds (3.7kg) while taking Rybelsus 14mg.
People with a higher initial body weight and those experiencing more digestive symptoms may be more likely to lose weight once treatment with Rybelsus has started.
Rybelsus is not used to treat type 1 diabetes.
How does Rybelsus work?
Rybelsus belongs to a class of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It may also be called an incretin mimetic.
Rybelsus works by mimicking the functions of natural incretin hormones in the body that help keep blood sugar levels under control, especially immediately following a meal.
Incretin hormones are gut peptides that are secreted from the stomach when food is eaten. They also stimulate the secretion of insulin in response to high blood glucose levels. Two incretin hormones are known as GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).
In people with type 2 diabetes, natural incretin release is diminished or no longer present. However, it can be stimulated with pharmacological agents, such as Rybelsus.
Rybelsus shares 94% of the same structure as human GLP-1 but is man-made. It acts like GLP-1 and binds to GLP-1 receptors, stimulating insulin release from the pancreas, reducing the amount of glucagon secreted by the liver, and makes a person feel full by slowing gastric emptying.
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R1 and R2 formulations
There are two formulations of Rybelsus: R1 and R2.
Both contain semaglutide, but they are not interchangeable because they differ in their inactive ingredients, which influence how the drug is absorbed. They also differ in their strengths.
- Formulation R1: 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg.
- Formulation R2 (new December 2024): 1.5 mg, 4 mg, and 9 mg.
Formulation R2 has enhanced drug absorption that allows for lower doses to achieve the same results as the first formulation (R1). You can switch between formulations but medical guidance is needed to ensure a smooth transition.
References
- Rybelsus Prescribing Information https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/213051Orig1s020,213051Orig1s021lbl.pdf
Read next
Which GLP-1 drug is best for weight loss?
The most effective GLP-1 drug for weight loss currently (as of mid-2025) is tirzepatide, marketed under the names Zepbound (for weight loss) and Mounjaro (for diabetes).
Continue reading
Why am I not losing weight on Ozempic?
Although Ozempic is not FDA-approved for weight loss, over 86% of people lose at least 5% of their body weight in trials that have studied semaglutide, the active ingredient of Ozempic. But the same clinical trials also show that just under 14% don’t lose weight, and some may even gain weight. Continue reading
Does Ozempic cause muscle loss and how to prevent it?
Clinical trials have shown GLP-1 agonist drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) can lead to a 13.9% loss of lean muscle mass (equal to a 6.9 kg or 15 lb) during treatment. Strategies to help prevent muscle loss include regular strength (resistance) training, aerobic exercise and adequate dietary protein, fluid and nutrient intake.
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