Can you take Rybelsus at night?
Rybelsus (semaglutide) is recommended to be taken in the morning on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. Clinical trials studied the medication with patients taking it after an overnight fast of at least 8 hours.
While morning administration remains standard to align with natural fasting periods, nighttime dosing may be a better option for patients with non-traditional schedules or medication timing preferences. Always consult with your healthcare provider before changing your dosing schedule.
Potential Benefits of Taking Rybelsus at Night
- Better adherence: Patients who experience morning nausea may tolerate Rybelsus better at night.
- Dawn phenomenon mitigation: Some patients with diabetes experience high blood sugar in the morning due to the release of hormones at night (e.g., cortisol, growth hormone).
- Flexible scheduling: Shift workers or those with irregular meal times may find nighttime fasting easier to maintain.
If morning dosing causes issues, talk to your healthcare provider to see if taking Rybelsus at night is right for you.
References
American Diabetes Association. n.d. High Morning Blood Glucose: Understanding and Management. Accessed 03/07/2025 at https://diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/high-morning-blood-glucose
Rybelsus [package insert]. Updated December 2024. Novo Nordisk. Accessed 03/07/2025 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=27f15fac-7d98-4114-a2ec-92494a91da98
Read next
Rybelsus vs Ozempic for weight loss: Which to choose?
Both Rybelsus and Ozempic are FDA approved to treat adults with Type 2 diabetes, but can cause weight loss as a side effect. In separate clinical trials, patients lost up to 3.7 kg (8 lbs) over 26 weeks of taking Rybelsus, and up to 4.7 kg (10 lbs) over 30 weeks with Ozempic. Continue reading
What foods should I eat or avoid when taking Rybelsus?
There are no specific foods to avoid, but if you are being treated for type 2 diabetes you should avoid regular consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and calories. Rybelsus works best if you combine it with a healthy diet and exercise plan as recommended by your healthcare provider. Continue reading
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. Continue reading
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Drug information
- Rybelsus Information for Consumers
- Rybelsus prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Rybelsus (detailed)
- Rybelsus user reviews (297)
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