A female healthcare professional points at a brochure while consulting with a patient at her desk.

Taking Rybelsus: here's how

One tablet per day, on an empty stomach, with a sip of water. Watch the video and read step-by-step how to properly take Rybelsus.

Rybelsus is semaglutide in tablet form, the same substance as in Ozempic and Wegovy, but without an injection. Your body absorbs the tablet only to a limited extent, so how you take it really makes a difference. Below you can read how to take Rybelsus correctly every day.

Rybelsus Instruction Video

A box of Ibuprofen 200mg tablets sits next to green blister packs on a beige surface.
Rybelsus Intake Instruction Video
ADRENALAYER medication box, a blister pack of pills, and a glass of water.

How to take Rybelsus

Taking it only takes a few minutes each morning, and with a fixed routine, it quickly becomes a habit. The most important thing is your timing.

Take your tablet on an empty stomach. Ideally, do this immediately after waking up, if you haven't eaten or drunk anything for at least 8 hours.

  1. Swallow the tablet whole with a sip of water. Use a maximum of half a glass (120 ml) of plain water. Do not break, chew, or crush it.
  2. Wait at least 30 minutes. Do not eat, drink, or take any other tablets (including vitamins or supplements) during the first 30 minutes.
  3. Then have breakfast. After 30 minutes, you may eat, drink, and take your other medications as usual.

These instructions are general information and do not replace personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's instructions and read the package leaflet. If you have doubts or experience complaints, please contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Your intake moment and dose escalation

none provided
Month 1 – 1.5 mg per day
Starting dose, so your body can get used to it.
none provided
From month 2 – 4 mg per day
the first maintenance dose.
Maag-darmkanaal: langer vol gevoel door vertraagde maaglediging bij medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic
Subsequently, possibly 9 mg per day
Only in consultation with your doctor, after at least one month on your current dose. Always take one tablet per day. Never take two tablets to achieve a higher dose.
Weegschaal: gewicht monitoren en voortgang meten bij medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic
Note: did you previously have the oval tablets of 3, 7 or 14 mg?
These have been replaced by the round tablets of 1.5, 4 and 9 mg with the same effect (3 mg = 1.5 mg, 7 mg = 4 mg, 14 mg = 9 mg).

Good to know

Forgot a dose? Skip the missed tablet and take your normal tablet the next day. Do not take a double dose.

Storage: Store the tablets in their original blister packaging; this protects them from moisture and light. Only push out a tablet just before you take it.

Coffee or tea? Only after 30 minutes. Only a sip of plain water does not count.

Other medications: Only take these 30 minutes after Rybelsus. Are you using thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) or blood thinners? Discuss this with your doctor.

Yellow KCA medical waste bin for medication disposal next to an 'Apotheek' sign.

Responsible disposal of your waste medication

An empty pen can be disposed of with general waste. If there is still medication in it, it is small chemical waste (KCA): hand in the pen at the recycling center, pharmacy, or your municipality's KCA depot. Used needles should always be placed in a yellow sharps container, never loose with household waste. You hand those in to your municipality, and you can order new ones via The Body Clinic.

A person holds out a clear glass water bottle containing water and lime slices.

Side effects: what can you expect?

The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, especially in the first few months and when increasing the dose. Usually, they are mild and resolve on their own. Tips: eat smaller portions, eat slowly, stop when you feel full, and drink plenty of water.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience persistent severe abdominal pain (possibly radiating to your back), sudden worsening of vision, or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy;

Rybelsus is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Intake gesprek met arts: telefonisch consult voor persoonlijke begeleiding bij medisch afvallen bij The Body Clinic

Contact a doctor immediately

For: severe, persistent abdominal pain, sometimes radiating to the back, with or without vomiting; severe pain in the upper right abdomen; persistent vomiting or diarrhea with little urination; a fast resting heart rate that does not subside.

Call 112 for swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing.

Outside our opening hours, you can go to the out-of-hours GP service, or visit our page Medical emergencies.

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Frequently asked questions 

  • Rybelsus is a semaglutide tablet for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

  • No. Stop at least 2 months before you plan to become pregnant and discuss this with your doctor. Rybelsus is also not suitable if you are breastfeeding.

  • The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, especially in the first few months. If you experience persistent severe abdominal pain, contact your doctor immediately.

  • Preferably in the morning immediately after waking up, on an empty stomach. You should not have eaten or drunk anything for at least 8 hours prior.

  • In moderation. Alcohol can make nausea worse. Read more in Ozempic and alcohol.

  • Yes, but only after 30 minutes. During those first 30 minutes, you may only drink the sip of water with which you take the tablet.

  • No. Always swallow the tablet whole with a maximum of half a glass (120 ml) of water.

  • Yes. The old oval tablets have been replaced by round tablets with the same effect. 3 mg is now 1.5 mg, 7 mg is now 4 mg, and 14 mg is now 9 mg.

  • Skip the forgotten tablet and simply take your regular tablet the next morning. Never take two tablets at once.