Home > Drug >

Rybelsus

Rybelsus

(semaglutide)

Rybelsus (Semaglutide) belongs to a group of medications known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. It is used alone or with other medications to improve blood glucose (sugar) levels for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Available form

Dosage

Tablet

3MG, 7MG, 14MG

Reveal more information Full drug details

What is Pocketpills?

As Canada's leading online pharmacy, we make sure you always have your meds on time. Use our app and website to fill prescriptions, order refills, and consult with our pharmacists. Take control of your health from home or on the go!

Easy refills, renewals, and reminders
Quick answers to your questions
Free delivery with SMS updates

Join us

We'd love to tell you more

We won't bore you with the details, but Health Canada requires you to sign in.

By proceeding you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy

Rybelsus information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The recommended starting dose of Rybelsus (Semaglutide) is 3 mg taken by mouth once daily. After 30 days, your dose will be increased to 7 mg once daily. If, after another 30 days, your blood sugar is still not controlled, your doctor may increase your dose to the maximum of 14 mg once daily.

Rybelsus (Semaglutide) should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before the first meal or beverage of the day. After taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide), wait 30 minutes before taking any other medications. Do not crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole with half a glass (120 mL) of water.

It is important to take Rybelsus (Semaglutide) on an empty stomach and with only enough water to swallow the tablet. Taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide) with food or too much water prevents it from working well.

Do not take more than 1 tablet at a time to make a higher dose. For example, do not take 2 tablets of 7 mg Rybelsus (Semaglutide) instead of one 14 mg tablet.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Rybelsus (Semaglutide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Rybelsus (Semaglutide) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Rybelsus (Semaglutide). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Rybelsus (Semaglutide) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

bloating
burping or gas
change in sense of taste
Constipation
decreased appetite
Diarrhea
heartburn
nausea
stomach pain
tiredness
upset stomach
vomiting
weight loss

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

fast heartbeat
signs of low blood glucose (e.g., anxiety, blurred vision, confusion, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, dizziness, drowsiness, fast heartbeat, feeling jittery, headache, hunger, irritability, nausea, nervousness, numbness or tingling of the lips or tongue, sweating, tiredness, trembling, weakness)
symptoms of gallstones (e.g., intermittent, severe, dull pain in the upper right part of the abdomen; nausea; vomiting; intolerance of fatty or greasy foods)
changes caused by diabetic retinopathy (e.g., blurred or changing vision, floaters, changes in colour vision)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

severe Hypoglycemia (e.g., disorientation, loss of consciousness, seizures)
signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of the face or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or itchy skin rash)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide).

There may be an interaction between Rybelsus (Semaglutide) and any of the following:

acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole, cariprazine, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
basiliximab
beta adrenergic blockers (e.g., acebutolol, atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, propranolol, sotalol)
bismuth subsalicylate
buserelin
corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone, cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone)
danazol
decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)
diazoxide
disopyramide
diuretics (e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide)
elagolix
epinephrine
estrogens (e.g., estradiol, ethinyl estradiol, conjugated estrogen)
everolimus
GLP-1 agonists (e.g., dulaglutide, liraglutide)
glucagon
goserelin
Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., elbasvir and grazoprevir, glecaprevir and pibrentasvir, ledipasvir, velpatasvir, voxilaprevir)
HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, lopinavir, ritonavir, tipranavir)
hydroxychloroquine
insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., gliclazide, glimepiride, glyburide)
leuprolide
levothyroxine
linezolid
mifepristone
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
niacin
pegvisomant
progestins (e.g., cyproterone, levonorgestrel, medroxyprogesterone, norethindrone, progesterone)
protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib, ceritinib, dabrafenib, nilotinib, sunitinib)
quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin)
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
sirolimus
somatostatin analogues (e.g., lanreotide, octreotide, pasireotide)
somatrogon
somatropin
sulfamethoxazole
tacrolimus
temsirolimus
terbutaline
testosterone
tramadol
venetoclax
vilazodone
vorinostat

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,
change one of the medications to another,
change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Rybelsus (Semaglutide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Rybelsus (Semaglutide).

Diabetes identification: It is important to either wear a bracelet (or necklace) or carry a card indicating you have diabetes and are taking medication to manage your blood glucose levels.

Dizziness/reduced alertness: Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may cause episodes of low blood glucose which can cause dizziness or reduced alertness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks when you are experiencing low blood glucose levels.

Heart problems: Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may increase heart rate and may affect how electrical impulses travel through the heart muscle. If you have heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm (e.g., heart block or fast heart rate), discuss with your doctor how Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rybelsus (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may cause decreased kidney function. If you have reduced kidney function or Kidney Disease, discuss with your doctor how Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rybelsus (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia): People who use Rybelsus (Semaglutide) and are also taking a sulfonylurea (e.g., glyburide, gliclazide) or insulin to control high blood sugar are more at risk of experiencing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If you experience symptoms of hypoglycemia such as a cold sweat, nervousness or shakiness, fast heartbeat, headache, hunger, confusion, lightheadedness, weakness, and numbness or tingling of the tongue or lips, contact your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medication(s).

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Rybelsus (Semaglutide) can cause pancreatitis. If you experience symptoms of pancreatitis such as severe and persistent abdominal pain that may move to the back with or without vomiting, contact your doctor immediately. If you have previously had pancreatitis, discuss with your doctor how Rybelsus (Semaglutide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Rybelsus (Semaglutide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Risk of thyroid cancer: In rare cases, people have developed thyroid cancer while using medications similar to Rybelsus (Semaglutide). People with a personal or family history of thyroid cancer or people who have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (a disease where people have tumours in more than one gland in their body) should not use Rybelsus (Semaglutide). If you develop difficulty swallowing or breathing, hoarseness or notice a mass developing in your neck, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Vision: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results from uncontrolled blood glucose levels. When blood glucose levels are brought under control quickly, symptoms of retinopathy may become worse for a short period of time. If you experience vision changes with the use of Rybelsus (Semaglutide), talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy: Rybelsus (Semaglutide) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Those who plan on becoming pregnant should talk to their doctor and are advised to stop taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide) for at least 2 months before becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Rybelsus (Semaglutide) passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and taking Rybelsus (Semaglutide), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Rybelsus (Semaglutide) have not been established for children.

Continue with Pocketpills

All material © 1996-2024 MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Helpful links

See these other medications
that relate to Rybelsus

Adlyxine Starter Pack

FAQs

Do I need a valid prescription (Rx) to order prescription medication?

Yes, you need a valid prescription, or Rx for short, from a Canadian prescriber to purchase medication that requires a prescription. If you need a new prescription, please contact us and we can help connect you with a doctor or we will reach out to your doctor for a renewal.

How can I refill my medication?

We will gladly coordinate with your doctor and insurance company to make sure you never run out of the medication you need. Additionally, we will remind you when it's time to schedule a delivery for your refill. You can also opt into automatic refills online, in the app, or by calling us at 1-855-950-7225.

Is Pocketpills free? How much does it cost?

Yes, Pocketpills services are free! You only pay your portion of your copay, and there are no hidden delivery or service fees. We'll transfer your prescriptions from your old pharmacy, find savings, and hand-deliver your medications at no extra cost.

What insurance plans do you accept?

We accept all insurance plans and direct bill ODB, OHIP+, and PharmaCare.

How much is shipping cost For Rybelsus in Canada?

Shipping cost for Rybelsus to you in Canada is zero. Pocketpills offers FREE shipping anywhere in Canada to help you get access to treatment.

How to get Rybelsus delivered to my home?

You could get Rybelsus delivered at your doorstep from us in Canada if you ordered prescription medications with a valid prescription. If you are not sure if we deliver to your area, contact us.