Rybelsus Dosages for Type 2 Diabetes: Your GoodRx Guide

Rybelsus (semaglutide) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medication. It’s the first and only GLP-1 agonist that you can take by mouth for Type 2 diabetes. Your healthcare provider may recommend adding it to a regimen that includes a diabetes-friendly diet and regular exercise, as well as other diabetes medications, to control your blood glucose (sugar).

When taking Rybelsus, you’ll usually start with a low dosage that’s increased over time to help you meet your treatment goals. But what’s a typical Rybelsus dosage? And what happens if you miss a dose or take too much? In this guide, we’ll review what you need to know about Rybelsus dosages.

What’s the typical Rybelsus dosage?

Rybelsus comes as an oral tablet that you take every day. It works best if you take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, with no more than 4 oz of water. After taking it, wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other medications. Don’t crush, split, or chew Rybelsus tablets. They need to be swallowed whole.

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The typical Rybelsus dosage ranges from 7 mg to 14 mg once daily. But you’ll usually start with a lower dosage: 3 mg by mouth once daily. This dosage isn’t intended to significantly affect your blood glucose. It’s designed to help your body get used to the medication and lessen side effects.

Rybelsus dosages are usually adjusted every 30 days until the right one is reached. A standard dosing schedule may look like this:

• Month 1: 3 mg by mouth once daily for 30 days

• Month 2: 7 mg by mouth once daily for 30 days

• Month 3 and beyond: 14 mg by mouth once daily (if needed)

The maximum Rybelsus dosage is 14 mg once daily. Your healthcare provider will give you instructions on how to adjust your dosage to meet your treatment goals. Follow their instructions, which may be different from the typical dosing schedule outlined above.

Good to know: Ozempic is another medication that contains semaglutide. This medication is also used to treat Type 2 diabetes. But, unlike Rybelsus, Ozempic is taken as a once-weekly injection. Wegovy is another form of injectable semaglutide that’s taken once weekly. However, it’s only approved for weight loss and has a higher recommended dosage than Ozempic.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

If you have kidney or liver problems, your Rybelsus dosage likely doesn’t need to be adjusted as a result. However, kidney damage has been reported in some people taking Rybelsus.This may be more likely to happen if you already have kidney problems.

Rybelsus can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If persistent or severe, this may lead to dehydration, which can damage your kidneys. These side effects may be worse when you first start taking Rybelsus and after dosage increases.

Let your healthcare provider know if you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhea that’s severe or persistent while taking Rybelsus. This is especially important if you have preexisting kidney problems, since these symptoms can worsen your condition.

What happens if you miss a dose of Rybelsus?

If you miss your morning Rybelsus dose, skip it and take your regular dose the next day. Don’t take the medication later in the day. And don’t take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

If you have questions about taking Rybelsus, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist. And if you’re finding it difficult to take your doses on time, try a medication reminder app to help you stay on schedule.

What should you do if you take too much Rybelsus?

If you take too much Rybelsus, you may be more likely to experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. 

When taken on its own at the correct dosage, Rybelsus has a low risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose). But if you take too much of the medication, this risk can go up — especially if you’re taking it with other diabetes medications. 

Hypoglycemia may cause you to feel sweaty, shaky, and weak. If you experience hypoglycemia symptoms, check your blood glucose and follow the instructions provided by your healthcare team. These instructions usually include consuming glucose tablets, fruit juice, or hard candies to bring your blood glucose levels back up.

If you think you may have taken too much Rybelsus, contact your healthcare provider right away or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for guidance. If any of your side effects are concerning, go to your nearest emergency room.

How to save on Rybelsus

There are ways to save on Rybelsus, which is only available as a brand-name medication. If you have commercial insurance, there is a manufacturer copay savings program available. Through the program, you could pay as little as $10 when you fill your Rybelsus prescriptions.

If you don’t have insurance, you may be eligible for a patient assistance program. If you qualify, you could pay as little as $0 for your Rybelsus prescription.

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Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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