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
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