Rybelsus Results: What to Expect at 1, 3, 6 and 12 Months
Blood sugar was the main thing Rybelsus was tested for. In STEP 1, which tested Wegovy, the same medicine at a higher dose, people on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly lost 14.9% on average over 68 weeks, against 2.4% on placebo.
- Average loss, top dose
- 14.9%
- On placebo
- 2.4%
- Trial length
- 68 weeks
- Trial
- STEP 1
Rybelsus in brief
With a half-life of about 1 week, half disappears after 7 d. Once five half-lives (35 d) pass, about 3% remains.
For 26 weeks, PIONEER 1 studied type 2 diabetes. Weight loss was 3.7 kg, compared with 1.4 kg on placebo.
Prices each month in US dollars cover the list price and self-pay offers. Each figure comes from the maker's price page.
Sources: FDA label (DailyMed), healthsystemtracker.org, Novo Nordisk pricing, Novo Nordisk.
Rybelsus results: the numbers first
Blood sugar was the main thing Rybelsus was tested for. The same medicine is used in Wegovy, only at a higher dose, and the weight trials shown here are for it.
| Trial | Dose group | Average weight lost | Placebo or comparison | Weeks | Who was in it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP 1 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 14.9% | 2.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| OASIS 4 | Wegovy pill 25 mg daily | 13.6% | 2.4% | 64 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes |
| STEP 2 | Semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | 9.6% | 3.4% | 68 | Adults with obesity or overweight, plus type 2 diabetes |
Drawn from STEP 1 (FDA label (DailyMed)) and STEP 2 (PubMed).
The average shown in pounds
The trial average of 14.9% was applied to three starting weights. This calculation is simple arithmetic, not a forecast for any one person. Some lose more, while others lose less.
| Starting weight | Average loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly | Average loss on placebo |
|---|---|---|
| 180 lb | about 27 lb | about 4 lb |
| 220 lb | about 33 lb | about 5 lb |
| 260 lb | about 39 lb | about 6 lb |
Source: DailyMed FDA label.
Week by week
- During the first weeks, stomach side effects happen most often when the dose is low and increasing. After each dose increase, they often appear again for a few days.
- Week 68 marked the end of STEP 1 and the point when the average loss above was measured.
Sources: health.clevelandclinic.org, PubMed.
Reasons it stalls and what helps
- Find out which dose step you are at. Each trial listed shows that lower doses go with less weight loss.
- Over the last month, count the doses that you missed or took late.
- Write down your food and drinks for a few days When portions shrink, liquid calories and grazing add up
- Ask your prescriber about thyroid or blood sugar testing, and about switching medicines if your progress has stalled for months.