Semaglutide Oral Tablet

A daily semaglutide tablet for people who prefer to avoid injections. Like the injection, it is meant to lower appetite as part of a long-term weight-management plan.

Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a hormone your gut releases after eating. It acts on GLP-1 receptors in the brain areas that control hunger and fullness, so you tend to feel full sooner and think about food less.

It also slows how quickly the stomach empties and helps the pancreas release insulin when blood sugar is high. Because it lasts about a week in the body, it is given once weekly.

1. First weeksAppetite changes, if any, often start gradually. Stomach side effects are most common early and after dose increases.
2. Months 1 to 3The dose is typically increased stepwise, about every 30 days, as tolerated.
3. Around 3 to 6 monthsProviders commonly reassess weight trend and tolerability.
4. After stoppingWeight often returns after stopping, so benefits depend on continued treatment.

Results vary from person to person. Your provider decides whether and how long to continue.

For brand-name Rybelsus, the label starts at 3 mg daily for 30 days, then 7 mg, with a possible increase to 14 mg. A compounded tablet’s strengths may differ; follow your pharmacy label.

• For brand-name Rybelsus: take on an empty stomach first thing in the morning with no more than 4 ounces of plain water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other medicines.
• Ask your provider and pharmacist whether the same timing rules apply to your compounded tablet.
• Swallow whole unless your label says otherwise.

Your prescription label and provider instructions always take priority over this general information. Do not change your dose or stop without talking to your provider.

• An initial review of your weight history, medical conditions, current medications and family history of thyroid cancer.
• Baseline labs may be ordered, for example blood sugar (A1c), kidney function or lipids, depending on your history.
• Regular check-ins during dose increases to review side effects, weight trend, hydration and appetite.
• People with diabetes may need closer blood sugar monitoring, and a review of retinopathy history.
• The dose may be held, lowered or stopped if side effects are hard to tolerate or results are not meaningful after a fair trial.

Lab tests and follow-up visits are not included in the medication price unless your plan says so. Your provider will tell you what is needed.

• Semaglutide injection

  Once-weekly; the form used in the major weight-loss and cardiovascular trials of the brand-name product.

• Tirzepatide Oral Tablet

  A different compounded oral option. Neither oral compounded product has established absorption data.

• Tirzepatide injection

  Weekly dual-receptor injection.