The typical dosage of Rybelsus is 4 or 7 milligrams (mg) per day. Your specific dose will vary based on which formulation you take and how well it works for you. It’s important to take the Rybelsus dosage your doctor prescribes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rybelsus to manage blood sugar levels in certain adults with type 2 diabetes. It’s used in combination with a balanced diet and exercise. This drug is not meant for use to treat type 1 diabetes.

Rybelsus belongs to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It’s not available in a generic version.

For information about the dosage of Rybelsus, including its strengths and how to take it, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Rybelsus, see this Rybelsus overview article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Rybelsus provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Rybelsus, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Rybelsus has a boxed warning about the risk of thyroid cancer. This is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Animal studies of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Rybelsus, show it causes thyroid C-cell tumors. Researchers do not yet know whether Rybelsus causes these types of tumors, including medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), in humans.

Due to this possible risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Rybelsus to people who have:

• a family history of MTC
• a rare condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), which can cause certain tumors

Your doctor will discuss this risk before you begin treatment with Rybelsus. They’ll also discuss symptoms of thyroid cancer to watch for. Examples include hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, a mass in your neck, and shortness of breath.

To learn more about this warning, talk with your doctor.

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Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Rybelsus. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those mentioned here.

Rybelsus form

Rybelsus comes as oral tablets that you’ll swallow. Two formulations of the oral tablet are available: R1 and R2. Both formulations contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide. It’s important to note that these formulations cannot be used interchangeably. For example, two 1.5-mg tablets in formulation R2 are not equivalent to one 3-mg tablet in formulation R1.

Rybelsus strengths

Rybelsus formulation R1 is available in three strengths, expressed in milligrams (mg):

  • 3 mg
  • 7 mg
  • 14 mg

Rybelsus formulation R2 is available in three strengths:

  • 1.5 mg
  • 4 mg
  • 9 mg

The typical dosage for Rybelsus will depend on which formulation your doctor prescribes.

Rybelsus formulation R1

For formulation R1, your doctor will typically have you start Rybelsus treatment with 3 mg once daily. After you’ve taken the 3-mg daily dose for 30 days, they’ll increase your dosage to 7 mg once daily.

They’ll monitor how your body responds to the drug. If necessary, your doctor may increase your dosage to 14 mg once daily after you’ve taken the 7-mg daily dose for at least 30 days. Your doctor may adjust your dosage if needed to better manage your condition.

Rybelsus formulation R2

For formulation R2, your doctor will typically have you start Rybelsus treatment with 1.5 mg once daily. After you’ve taken the 1.5-mg daily dose for 30 days, they’ll increase your dosage to 4 mg once daily.

They’ll monitor how your body responds to Rybelsus. If necessary, your doctor may increase your dosage to 9 mg once daily after you’ve taken the 4-mg daily dose for at least 30 days. Your doctor may adjust your dosage if needed to better manage your condition.

Switching between formulations

Your doctor will prescribe either of the Rybelsus formulations for you during your treatment. These formulations are not meant to be used at the same time, and they cannot be used interchangeably.

After 30 days of treatment with Rybelsus, your doctor may choose to switch you to the other formulation of the drug. If this is the case, you will start the new formulation the day after you finish your last dose of the initial formulation.

For example, you may start taking Rybelsus formulation R1 at 3 mg once per day. After 30 days, instead of increasing your dose to 7 mg once per day in formulation R1, your doctor may choose to switch you to 4 mg once per day in formulation R2 of Rybelsus.

If you have questions about which formulation is best for you, talk with your doctor.

Switching from Ozempic to Rybelsus

If your doctor decides to change your treatment from Ozempic to Rybelsus, the dosages of Rybelsus you will use will depend on your dose of Ozempic and which formulation of Rybelsus you will be taking.

Switching from Ozempic to Rybelsus formulation R1

If your dose of Ozempic is 0.5 mg once per week, your starting dose of Rybelsus formulation R1 will be either 7 mg or 14 mg once per day. You will start this dose 1 week after stopping Ozempic.

If your dose of Ozempic is either 0.25 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg once per week, there is no recommended dose of Rybelsus formulation R1 to switch to.

Switching from Ozempic to Rybelsus formulation R2

If your dose of Ozempic is 0.5 mg given once per week, your starting dose of Rybelsus formulation R2 will be either 4 mg or 9 mg once per day. You will start this dose 1 week after stopping Ozempic.

If your dose of Ozempic is either 0.25 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg once per week, there is no recommended dose of Rybelsus formulation R2 to switch to.

The price you’ll pay for Rybelsus can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, the pharmacy you use, and any insurance coverage you have.

To save money on your Rybelsus treatment, explore the coupon options below.

Below is information on commonly asked questions about Rybelsus.

Can Rybelsus be used for weight loss? If so, what is the dosage for weight loss?

Rybelsus is not approved by the FDA as a weight loss medication. However, studies have shown that semaglutide can cause weight loss when used with diet and exercise changes. Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Rybelsus.

Certain factors, such as changes in your diet and exercise regimen, may cause weight loss during Rybelsus treatment. Keep in mind that Rybelsus is prescribed in combination with a balanced diet and exercise to manage blood sugar levels in certain adults with type 2 diabetes.

Weight loss may also happen due to side effects of the drug, such as:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • diarrhea

If your doctor prescribes Rybelsus for weight loss, it will be an off-label use of the drug. (Off-label use means a drug is used for a purpose other than those it’s approved for.) In this case, your doctor will discuss a dosage of Rybelsus for weight loss with you.

Note: A prescription medication called Wegovy is approved for long-term weight management. It contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient that’s in Rybelsus. If you’re interested in learning more about Wegovy, ask your doctor.

Does Rybelsus have recommended dosing instructions?

Yes, your doctor will likely provide a dosing guide when they prescribe Rybelsus.

Typically, you’ll start with a low dose of Rybelsus and take this dose for the first 30 days. Then your doctor may increase your dose. After at least another 30 days, they may increase your dose again. This depends on how your body responds to the treatment.

Your doctor and pharmacist will also provide dosing instructions on how to take the drug. It’s important to take Rybelsus at least 30 minutes before your first food or drink of the day. You should take the drug with a small amount (4 ounces) of water. This ensures that Rybelsus works the way it’s supposed to in your body.

See the “How to take Rybelsus” section for more dosing instructions. You can also refer to the drug’s prescribing information.

If I have renal (kidney) problems, will I need a renal dosing adjustment for Rybelsus?

No, Rybelsus doses typically don’t require adjustments in people with kidney disease. In clinical trials of the drug in people with kidney disease, there were no differences in how Rybelsus worked in the body. These trials included people with end stage renal disease.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before you begin treatment with Rybelsus. Your doctor will monitor your kidney function while you’re taking the medication. This is because the drug can cause new or worsening kidney problems. For more information on side effects of Rybelsus, see this article.

If you miss a daily dose of Rybelsus, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual dosing schedule the next day. Do not take two doses of Rybelsus at one time to make up for the missed dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Rybelsus comes as oral tablets that you’ll swallow. You’ll take it once per day. You should take the drug with a small amount (4 ounces) of water.

It’s important to take Rybelsus 30 minutes before you eat, drink, or take any other medications for the day.

Eating or drinking less than 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus can lower the effectiveness of the drug. This is because food or other types of liquid can affect how Rybelsus works in your body.

Waiting longer than 30 minutes after taking Rybelsus to eat or drink anything can increase the effect of Rybelsus in your body. This could increase your risk of low blood sugar.

Do not chew, cut, or split Rybelsus tablets. Instead, swallow the tablets whole. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

Rybelsus is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Rybelsus is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you take more Rybelsus than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. It’s important that you don’t take more Rybelsus than your doctor advises.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Rybelsus

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Rybelsus. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Rybelsus for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Rybelsus without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Rybelsus that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Rybelsus. These additional articles might be helpful:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.