Rybelsus Vs. Ozempic
Rybelsus and Ozempic are medications that contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. Rybelsus and Ozempic are both brand names of Semaglutide. They both belong to a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that works by mimicking a natural protein to stimulate the production of insulin. GLP-1 agonists also help to suppress hunger and make one feel full for a more extended period of time, which is why they’re used as weight management drugs.
They are both approved by The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They help to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Rybelsus and Ozempic can be used off-label for weight loss management in people with and without type 2 diabetes who are overweight or obese.
Though Rybelsus and Ozempic contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, and share similarities, there are some distinct differences between them.
In this article, we are going to compare and contrast Rybelsus and Ozempic. We are going to look at their distinct differences, especially regarding their dosing for weight loss, mode of administration, safety concerns, cost comparison, etc.
Rybelsus in Dallas, Little Elm & Frisco, TX
Rybelsus is a brand name of semaglutide. It is similar to Ozempic but available in the form of a pill while Ozempic is available in the form of a solution that is injected under the skin. The active ingredient in Rybelsus is semaglutide. Rybelsus is the only oral form of semaglutide.
Ozempic in Dallas, Little Elm & Frisco, Tx
Ozempic is another brand name for semaglutide. It is an injectable medication that is approved by the FDA to manage type 2 diabetes. Just like Rybelsus, the active ingredient in Ozempic is semaglutide.
Rybelsus vs. Ozempic: What’s the Difference?
Rybelsus and Ozempic share many similarities, but there are also distinct differences between them.
Rybelsus as Ozempic: Which is more effective?
Rybelsus appears to be just as effective as Ozempic. However, Ozempic is available in more powerful doses than Rybelsus.
Rybelsus pills are available in 3 strengths. These include 3 mg, 7 mg, and 14 mg. The 3 mg is the typical starting dosage of Rybelsus. The pills are taken once daily.
Your healthcare provider slowly increases your dosage once your body adjusts to the medication. Your dosage will be increased over several months until you reach the target dose of 14 mg.
Ozempic injection pens are available in dosage strengths of 2 mg/3 mL, 2 mg/1.5 mL, 4 mg/3 mL, and 8 mg/3 mL. Each injection pen contains 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg. Ozempic is taken once a week. The typical starting dosage of Ozempic is 0.25 mg.
Your healthcare provider gradually increases your dosage once your body adjusts to the medication. Your dosage will be increased over several months until you reach the target dose of 1 mg or 2 mg.
According to the FDA, the maximum 14mg daily dose of Rybelsus is equivalent to the 0.5mg or 1mg weekly dose of Ozempic.
Dosage Form and Administration
Rybelsus is available in the form of a pill that you need to swallow whole. It shouldn’t be cut, crushed, or chewed. A Rybelsus pill should be taken with no more than 4 ounces of water. It should be taken about 30 minutes before you eat your first food for the day or before taking beverages. Also, you should take the pill about 30 minutes before taking any other oral medications for the day. Following this guideline will ensure the best results.
Ozempic is available as a solution in a prefilled injection pen. It is administered directly under the skin with a syringe. Ozempic can be administered at any time of day, with or without food.
Maintenance Dosage:
The maintenance dosage for Rybelsus is 7mg or 14 mg once daily.
The maintenance dosage for Ozempic is 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg once weekly.
Potency:
Rybelsus Vs. Ozempic provides similar blood glucose levels and weight reduction results. In clinical trials, Ozempic (1 mg weekly) and Rybelsus (14 mg daily) resulted in decreases in hemoglobin A1c of 1.6% and 1.4%, respectively.
14 mg daily maximum dose of Rybelsus is equivalent to 1 mg weekly of Ozempic. Some healthcare providers may prescribe up to 2 mg weekly doses of Ozempic.
Note that the body absorbs up to 90-100% of medications taken subcutaneously but can only absorb just about 50% of medications taken orally. This is why Rybelsus has much more semaglutide in it (14 mg daily) than Ozempic (1mg once a week). Only a small fraction of the semaglutide that is taken orally is absorbed by the body.
To assess the potency of Rybelsus and Ozempic, we can compare their results in studies that tested similar participants.
A PIONEER 2 trial was conducted to assess Rybelsus’ efficacy for people with type 2 diabetes using metformin. The participants took the maximum dose for six months. After six months, the participants saw their average A1C drop 1.3 percent after one year. They lost about 10 pounds.
A SUSTAIN 2 trial was conducted to assess Ozempic in people with type 2 diabetes using either metformin or a TZD. A 0.5 mg dose of Ozempic was administered for six months. After six months, the participants experienced an A1C drop of 1.3 percent. They lost about 9.5 pounds.
The results from both trials suggest that Rybelsus and Ozempic are equally effective.
Another study conducted showed that Ozempic of dosage 1 mg weekly and Rybelsus of dosage 14 mg daily led to a weight loss of 9.9 lbs and 8.2 lbs over about 30 weeks, respectively.
The results from this study suggest that Rybelsus (14 mg daily) and Ozempic (1 mg weekly) are similarly effective.
Cost of Rybelsus vs. Ozempic in Dallas, Little Elm & Frisco, Tx
The cost of Rybelsus or Ozempic depends on the treatment plan, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy selling the drugs.
Rybelsus and Ozempic are brand-name drugs. Hence, they cost more than generic drugs.
The prices of the 3 mg, 7-mg, and 14-mg Rybelsus pills are likely to be the same or very close.
You need to contact your pharmacist. Your pharmacist will help figure out the cost of Rybelsus or Ozempic per month.
You may get Rybelsus or Ozempic tablets through a mail-order pharmacy. Using a mail-order pharmacy may help reduce the cost of the drugs. The cost of mail-order medications may be covered by some Medicare plans.
Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t have health insurance. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could help reduce the cost of the drugs.
Side Effects and Safety of Rybelsus vs. Ozempic
Both Rybelsus and Ozempic are safe and effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, just like any other medication, there are potential side effects that may occur. Rybelsus and Ozempic have similar side effects.
Most side effects for Rybelsus and Ozempic are mild. Side effects occur more frequently when you first start taking the medication or after your dose is increased.
You should contact immediately your doctor if any side effects begin to worsen.
Common side effects of Rybelsus and Ozempic include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
Specific side effects
Rybelsus caused decreased appetite in 6% to 9% of participants during clinical trials.
Less than 1% of participants experienced reduced appetite during clinical trials with Ozempic. Since Ozempic is injected into the skin, it may cause injection site reactions or discomfort.
Precautions
Rybelsus and Ozempic are not recommended for;
- Individuals with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- Individuals with a type of thyroid cancer
- Individuals with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2.
Consult your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing any severe side effects.
Consult your doctor before using Rybelsus and Ozempic, particularly if;
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have a history of pancreatitis
- You have kidney problems
- You have diabetic retinopathy
- Do you have any other medical condition
Which Should I Take: Rybelsus or Ozempic?
Whether you should take Rybelsus or Ozempic depends on your goals, preferences, and your doctor’s expert opinion.
Rybelsus is taken orally once daily, while Ozempic is taken subcutaneously once weekly. If you don’t like injections, you may consider taking Rybelsus tablets.
In some cases, your doctor may switch between both medications. Your doctor may switch you from taking Ozempic to Rybelsus if you prefer oral medication. If you don’t like taking medications frequently, your doctor may switch you from taking Rybelsus daily to Ozempic once weekly.
Your doctor may recommend Ozempic instead of Rybelsus if you have a heart disease. This is because Ozempic is approved by the FDA to reduce the risk of major heart problems in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Note: Do not switch medications on your own. Talk to your doctor first before switching medications.
Ozempic and Rybelsus are used continuously for weight management. Do not stop taking either of them on your own. Talk to your doctor first. Your medical weight loss doctor will decide if you can stop taking either medication or not.