Can Rybelsus Be Considered as Ozempic in a Pill Form?
There has been a lot of buzz about Ozempic, the leading diabetes and weight loss drug in memory. It is administered once a week by pricking the skin with a preloaded syringe. It is so popular it’s led to shortages, but Rybelsus, an oral form of the same drug, has yet not quite gotten the hype. Why aren’t people talking about it? Can it really compete with Ozempic?
In this blog, we will discuss what Rybelsus is and if it is as effective as Ozempic for managing type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Additionally, if you want to manage your blood sugar level and lose weight effectively, you can buy Rybelsus online.
What Is Rybelsus?
Essentially, Rybelsus is Ozempic but in pill form. The active ingredient in Ozempic and Rybelsus is semaglutide, which the same manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, makes. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, one of several drugs that stimulate insulin secretion and trigger feelings of hunger. Initially developed and approved to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide became one of the most effective weight loss drugs ever developed. People who take semaglutide often lose weight almost effortlessly – they eat less because they’re not as hungry.
Rybelsus is the only oral form of this powerful medicine for treating diabetes and losing weight. Both alone and in combination with other diabetes drugs, it has been shown to grant weight loss and blood sugar improvements in many different populations.
Is Rybelsus as Effective as Ozempic?
In comparison with Ozempic, Rybelsus is just as efficacious. But Ozempic has more potent doses. To assess the potency of each drug, we can compare its results in studies conducted on similar populations. FDA recommends switching to Ozempic from Rybelsus without titrating or adjusting the dose. Rybelsus’ maximum 14 mg daily dose (Rybelsus 14 mg tablet) is equivalent to Ozempic’s 0.5 mg weekly dose.
Suppose you’re wondering why Rybelsus has so much more semaglutide than Ozempic, 14 mg vs 0.5 mg per week. In that case, only a tiny fraction of the semaglutide enters the stomach and is absorbed.
Studies That Show Rybelsus and Ozempic Show Similar Results
- According to the American Diabetes Association, in the PIONEER 2 trial, Rybelsus’ efficacy was assessed for those with type 2 diabetes using metformin. One year after taking the maximum dose, participants had lost about 10 pounds, and their average A1C had dropped 1.3 percentage points.
- According to The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, the SUSTAIN 2 trial evaluated Ozempic in people with type 2 diabetes using metformin or a TZD. Ozempic’s 0.5mg dose resulted in a drop in A1C of 1.3 percentage points and 9.5 pounds of weight loss. As a result of these extremely similar results, the two drugs are equally effective.
Ozempic, however, comes in more potent dosages. Ozempic’s highest dose of 2.0mg led to an A1C drop of 2.2 percentage points in those with type 2 diabetes taking metformin and 15 pounds of weight loss. In addition to the usual dose of 2.4mg per week, Wegovy is also available at a higher dose of 3.2mg per week. As a weight-loss drug for people without type 2 diabetes, Rybelsus doesn’t match these results – at least not at the approved doses.
Is Rybelsus Convenient to Take as Ozempic?
Another reason Rybelsus 14 mg tablet hasn’t caught on is that taking the drug is a hassle. Taking Rybelsus every morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or using any other oral medications, is recommended by the FDA. You may consume up to 4 ounces of plain water during this time. The pill will be less effective if you eat breakfast too early. However, the drug may be better absorbed if you wait longer than 30 minutes to eat. Ozempic, in contrast, is injected once a week at any time, with or without food.
Is a Higher Rybelsus Dose on the Way?
Currently, Novo Nordisk is seeking approval for a higher dose of Rybelsus. How can we know if Rybelsus is more effective in higher doses? Recently, Novo Nordisk announced the headline results of its PIONEER PLUS trial. In this robust experiment, oral semaglutide doses of 25mg and 50mg per day were tested. Over 1,000 people with type 2 diabetes participated in the trial, which lasted 68 weeks. The results were as follows:
Dose: 14mg
- 1.5 percent A1C Reduction
- 9.9 lbs Weight Loss
Dose: 25mg
- 1.9 percent A1C Reduction
- 15.4 lbs Weight Loss
Dose: 50mg
- 2.2 percent A1C Reduction
- 20.3 lbs Weight Loss
Compared to Ozempic’s current maximum dose of 2.0mg, the highest dose provided similar weight loss and A1C benefits. It is still being determined when patients can access these larger doses.
Are Rybelsus Side Effects Similar to Ozempic?
Ozempic may cause gastrointestinal side effects in a substantial minority of users. Some people experience nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea as their bodies adjust to the powerful medication. Others, however, are forced to stop taking the drug completely. Rybelsus has a similar side effect profile to Rybelsus 14 mg tablet. According to the FDA’s official labels for the two drugs at equivalent doses, the following number of people experience stomach problems:
Nausea
- Ozempic: 20%
- Rybelsus: 20%
Abdominal Pain
- Ozempic: 7%
- Rybelsus: 11%
Diarrhea
- Ozempic: 9%
- Rybelsus: 10%
Vomiting
- Ozempic: 5%
- Rybelsus: 8%
Constipation
- Ozempic: 5%
- Rybelsus: 5%
The numbers are very similar across the board, as you can see. As a result of the PIONEER PLUS trial, there were more gastrointestinal side effects at higher doses, though the details on how much more common are still unclear. Rybelsus, if particularly effective, might also cause “Ozempic face,” which occurs when Ozempic users lose so much weight that their faces lose healthy fat, leaving them looking saggy and aged.
The “Ozempic face” is purely induced by weight loss, so any medication that helps reduce weight can potentially have the same effect. You should consult your doctor if you experience other rare but serious side effects while taking Rybelsus or Ozempic. If you find the tablet form of semaglutide more convenient, you can buy Rybelsus online at affordable prices at Polar Bear Meds, the best Canadian online pharmacy.
To Sum Up
Rybelsus, an oral form of Ozempic, offers similar weight loss and diabetes management benefits. The drug shows promising results, especially when higher doses are added, despite potential hassles with administration, including timing and dietary restrictions. While both medications have similar side effects, including gastrointestinal discomfort, their benefits often outweigh their drawbacks. You should always consult your healthcare provider before deciding on treatment options and possible side effects.