What is Rybelsus (Semaglutide)? How does this medicine help control diabetes?

Today, a health problem that many people in our country have is Type 2 Diabetes. So, as a treatment for this, we often use pills as well as insulin injections. But recently, a new oral medication has been introduced that has made a big difference in diabetes treatment methods. Today, we are going to talk about that medication, Rybelsus. Your doctor may have recommended this to you, or you may have heard about it. Let's try to understand everything about this medication in a simple way.

What kind of medicine is Rybelsus?

Simply put, Rybelsus is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called “Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists.” The active ingredient in it is semaglutide. While the name may sound a bit complicated, its mechanism of action is quite simple.

Imagine, our bodies naturally produce a hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps control our blood sugar levels after we eat. What Rybelsus does is it works like that natural hormone. That is, it binds to the GLP-1 receptors in our bodies and acts just like our own hormone.

Previously, this class of GLP-1 drugs was only available as injections. But Rybelsus is the first and only GLP-1 drug to come in the form of a pill that can be taken orally . This is a major breakthrough in diabetes treatment.

How does this medicine control blood sugar levels?

Rybelsus lowers your blood sugar, or glucose, levels in three main ways.

• Stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas: After you eat, this medicine signals your pancreas to produce the necessary amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps sugar in the blood enter the cells, lowering blood sugar levels.
• Prevents the release of sugar from the liver: Our liver stores sugar. Sometimes this stored sugar gets unnecessarily released into the blood. Rybelsus controls this process.
• Slowing the movement of food: This medicine slows down the speed at which the food you eat moves through your stomach and intestines. This means that sugar from food is not absorbed into your blood all at once, but rather gradually. This helps control the sudden spike in blood sugar after eating.

How exactly do you use the Rybelsus pill?

This is the most important and important thing to be careful about when taking this medicine. You must follow these instructions exactly, otherwise the effectiveness of the medicine may be reduced.

This pill should be taken with less than 4 ounces (about 120 milliliters) of plain water . Swallow the pill whole . Do not break, crush, or chew it .

If you wait less than 30 minutes, or if you take it with food, a drink other than water, or other medications, the amount of Rybelsus absorbed by the body may be reduced, and the medicine may not provide the desired effect.

Your doctor will usually start you on 3 milligrams (mg) of insulin for the first 30 days to help your body adjust to the medication. Then, the dose will be increased to 7mg. Your doctor may increase the dose to 14mg if necessary, depending on your blood sugar levels and HbA1c test results.

What is HbA1c?

HbA1c is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months . It's like a 'report card' of your blood sugar control. Controlling this value can help reduce your risk of developing diabetes-related complications (such as heart disease and kidney disease).

What are the benefits of Rybelsus?

Clinical studies on Rybelsus have shown that this drug, whether taken alone or with other diabetes medications, helps reduce HbA1c levels and body weight.

The tables below simply show the results of these studies. But remember, these are average results and your results may vary .

These results show that Rybelsus is a drug that can help with blood sugar control and weight loss to some extent.

What are the side effects of Rybelsus and how to manage them?

Like any medicine, Rybelsus can have side effects. The most common are:

• Nausea
• Stomach ache
• Diarrhea
• Appetite
• Vomiting
• Constipation

These include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are common when you first start taking the medication. If you experience any of these symptoms, drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration . If these symptoms persist or become severe, talk to your doctor.

Tips to manage side effects

• Avoid oily, overly sweet, and spicy foods.
• Instead of eating a lot at one time, eat several small meals.
• Monks, eat your food carefully.
• Don't lie down immediately after eating.
• Eat light foods (e.g. soup, yogurt, toast, rice).
• Stay away from strong smells (garden smells, perfume smells, smoke smells).

What are the special cases to be careful about?

Pancreatitis

Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)

If you take Rybelsus with insulin or certain other diabetes medications (such as sulfonylureas), your blood sugar level may become too low (hypoglycemia). Ask your doctor how low your blood sugar level is.

If your blood sugar is low, eat some sugar. For example, you can take glucose tablets, some fruit juice, sugar, or a teaspoon of honey. If you have any of the following symptoms or if your blood sugar level is low, talk to your doctor.

Other points

• Pregnancy: Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant. You should stop taking Rybelsus at least two months before becoming pregnant.
• Other medications: Rybelsus may affect the way your body absorbs other medications you take by mouth. So if you notice a change in the way other medications you take work, talk to your doctor about that as well.

Rybelsus is a prescription drug that should only be taken with a doctor's prescription. Your doctor will decide whether this medication is right for you based on your health condition, blood sugar levels, and other factors.