Some weight loss experts are praising Rybelsus, the pill version of Ozempic, but not everyone is convinced.
While you have no doubt heard of Ozempic, you might not have heard of Rybelsus. Both contain the active ingredient semaglutide, and they both help manage blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Both have also been proven weight loss aids.
The only difference is that Ozempic is injected once a week, and Rybelsus is ingested daily.
One study investigated Rybelsus use on 667 adults and found that on average, participants taking 50mg lost more than 17 per cent of their body weight after 68 weeks.
When compared to the placebo, 40 per cent of the participants achieved a weight loss of 20 per cent.
Sof Andrikopoulos from the Australian Diabetes Society says Ozempic has earned its reputation for one simple reason.
“The Hollywood effect is because the drug works,” he told Seven News.
As for Rybelsus, Professor Michael Cowley from Monash University says the pill version is a game-changer for obese people wanting a kick-start.
“This represents a real turning point for the way we treat obesity in Australia and around the world,” he told the news program.
It’s also more user-friendly. Unlike Ozempic, Rybelsus doesn’t need to be kept in the fridge and it’s perfect for people who have a fear of needles.
But not everyone’s sold.
Dr Ginni Mansberg told Sunrise that while it’s also cheaper than the injectable, there are disadvantages. Like Ozempic, it has side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain.
She also disagrees with the aforementioned study. Dr Mansberg says users won’t drop the kilos like they would using the injectable version.
“In studies, it’s an average of 2.6kg over six months…a lot of people would think, well, I don’t think I’d want to pay all that money for that little weight loss.”
She also strongly urged people not to purchase the pill online before it’s approved by our regulatory body, because you could just be receiving a placebo, or even worse, something dangerous.
She also suggests seeing your doctor as your GP or specialist will be able to help you with the best course of action if you are looking to lose weight.
Rybelsusis expected to hit the Australian market by 2024.
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