Key takeaways
- Rybelsus is a prescription-only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, similar to Ozempic. It contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.
- Like Ozempic, Rybelsus may also be prescribed off-label to treat overweight and obesity in specific circumstances. But, Rybelsus is a once-daily oral medication rather than a weekly injection.
- Some of the best places to get Rybelsus online include PlushCare, Sesame, and Calibrate.
Many online pharmacies offer Rybelsus, provided you have a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional, such as a primary care physician, endocrinologist, or nurse practitioner.
Typically, a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is required for insurance to approve Rybelsus. If you don’t have diabetes but want to take Rybelsus for weight loss, a healthcare professional will decide if Rybelsus is a safe and appropriate choice based on your health needs.
It’s best to visit a doctor or other healthcare professional for an in-person health assessment if you’re interested in trying Rybelsus.
However, if you prefer to buy Rybelsus online, some reliable options have passed our rigorous vetting standards. It’s worth noting that occasional supply chain issues may make Rybelsus difficult to get.
Keep reading to learn where to buy Rybelsus online and the precautions you should take.
• $129 for the first visit, then $99 monthly
*Insurance coverage refers to whether visit and program costs are eligible for insurance coverage.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the GLP-1 services that passed our vetting process. Then, we looked at availability, cost, and the additional resources each service provides to narrow down our list even further.
Our Content Integrity Team ensures that the business practices and medical claims of every service we feature align with our integrity standards and approach to well-being.
In addition to our vetting process, we consider:
- Ongoing support: We chose services that offer long-term support as you move through your weight loss journey. It’s important to keep in regular contact with a healthcare professional while using GLP-1 medication. We included services that offer regular follow-up appointments, individual coaching, access to community-building features, and additional health insights or tracking technology.
- Privacy policies: We included services that have easily accessible privacy policies and handle customer data with care.
- Medication safety: We only feature services that
- Cost: We took ongoing costs into account when selecting the services in this article. We look at how much subscription, consultation, and medication costs might be for those with and without insurance, and presented ways people can save on their Rybelsus prescription.
When looking to buy Rybelsus online, you should consider:
- Compounded medication: Some pharmacies offer compounded medication. This is when pharmacies mix and combine medications to meet custom requirements. Compounded GLP-1 medication is not always safe, and the FDA warns against taking compounded semaglutide. In fact, the FDA
does not approve any compounded medication. - Counterfeit medication: The FDA warns that counterfeit GLP-1 medications
can contain too much, too little, or none of their active ingredients. They can also include undisclosed and dangerous ingredients. To protect yourself against counterfeit medication, you should always get medication from licensed pharmacies that require a valid prescription. - Staff credentials: Look into the qualifications that online medical professionals hold. Many telehealth companies include staff bios on their websites, where you can learn about the doctors who will be taking care of your weight loss journey.
- Data protection: Protecting your personal information, especially medical information, is essential.
- Price: GLP-1 medications are generally expensive, and even though there are some legitimate ways to get discounted Rybelsus, online pharmacies offering very cheap GLP-1 meds may not be safe to use. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Below, we cover the
Signs of a safe pharmacy
- It always asks for a valid prescription.
- It has a U.S. address and phone number.
- It is licensed by the state board of pharmacy.
- Its staff are licensed.
- Its prices are realistic.
- It has robust privacy policies to keep your personal, financial, and health information safe.
Signs of unsafe pharmacies
- It does not require a prescription.
- It sells medication at very low prices.
- It is not state board licensed.
- The medication packaging is unmarked or damaged.
- Its medications are expired, look different, or do not have an expiry date.
Pros
- Buying online saves time and can eliminate the need for pharmacy visits.
- Telehealth companies increase access to people living in remote areas or those less able to leave the house.
- You can often get ongoing support with weight loss programs.
- Prescription management may be easier.
Cons
- Online consultations may not be as thorough as in-person ones, increasing health risks.
- There is a potential risk of receiving counterfeit or substandard medication from unreliable sources.
- Online purchases might not be covered by insurance, leading to higher out-of-pocket costs.
- Delivery times can vary, potentially causing interruptions in medication schedules.
The
However, if your healthcare professional determines it’s safe and medically appropriate, they may prescribe Rybelsus off-label for weight management. Using
Whether you qualify may depend on your overall health, including your current blood sugar control, medical history, and any existing health conditions.
Expert insight: Janelle Duah, MD, on who Rybelsus may suit
Your healthcare professional will consider numerous factors when determining whether Rybelsus is right for you.
However, Janelle Duah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, explained to Healthline that Rybelsus could be a good option if you’re afraid of needles or are unable to safely inject yourself.
According to Duah, “Dexterity and vision can also play a role in a person’s comfort with using a pen, and people with issues in those realms may want to opt to take a pill.”
Alternatively, Duah noted, “If the patient already suffers from GI issues like nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, or constipation, [licensed physicians] would [consider] injected Victoza or Ozempic over oral Rybelsus as the oral formulation has a higher risk of side effects.”
While Rybelsus is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes, it’s not suitable for everyone. Certain health conditions may prevent people from taking it.
Rybelsus carries a
Furthermore, Rybelsus may not be right for you if you have:
- a diabetic eye problem (diabetic retinopathy)
- a risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- kidney issues
- pancreas issues (pancreatitis)
- allergic reactions to Rybelsus or any of its components
Rybelsus hasn’t been studied in pregnant humans. So, experts don’t know if it’s harmful to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. However, animal studies in rats, rabbits, and monkeys showed that Rybelsus can cause harm to fetuses.
If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your healthcare professional about managing your blood sugar levels to find your best management options, as Rybelsus may not be suitable.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Rybelsus, lists the price for a 30-tablet supply as $997.58. This price applies to tablets of all strengths, including 3 milligrams (mg), 7 mg, and 14 mg.
However, the price you’ll pay varies based on several factors. Your insurance coverage, location, and choice of filling pharmacy can significantly affect the cost. Likewise, you may be eligible for patient assistance programs, manufacturer discounts, or coupons that could offset costs.
Is Rybelsus covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for Rybelsus varies depending on your specific health insurance plan. Your out-of-pocket expenses for Rybelsus can vary significantly. Some insurance plans may cover a significant portion of the cost, while others may require higher copayments or deductibles.
Your coverage may also depend on the healthcare professional’s assessment of medical necessity. If your doctor determines that Rybelsus is essential for your type 2 diabetes management, your insurance plan may be more likely to cover it.
For the full picture of your out-of-pocket expenses, it’s best to chat with your insurance provider about Rybelsus coverage.
Are there coupons for Rybelsus?
Novo Nordisk provides a savings card program. Eligible people may pay as little as $10 for a 1-month, 2-month, or 3-month prescription for Rybelsus with insurance.
Rybelsus is a daily medication you’ll take as a tablet of 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg. It contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, as Ozempic and is also approved for managing type 2 diabetes.
Research shows that Rybelsus is effective in type 2 diabetes management and may also help people lose weight. So, clinicians may prescribe it off-label for weight loss. Off-label means it’s used for purposes not officially approved by regulators.
In the Pioneer 1 study, participants took daily oral semaglutide at doses of 3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg, or a placebo. After 6 months, those taking the semaglutide had average blood sugar reductions of 0.6% to 1.1%, with bodyweight reduction of around 5 pounds for the 14-mg dose.
If you want to learn more about Rybelsus, you can consider talking with a doctor or pharmacist. We have a wide range of resources that will help you learn more about Rybelsus. Check out the articles below to learn more.
General information and cost
Comparing Rybelsus
Safety and side effects
According to the manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, the list price for a 30-tablet supply of all strengths of Rybelsus is $997.58. However, the price you’ll pay can vary significantly based on multiple factors, including insurance coverage. Some policies may cover a portion or the entire cost of Rybelsus, reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, patient assistance programs, manufacturer discounts, and coupons may be available to help offset costs. You can explore these options, compare prices at different pharmacies, and consult with your healthcare professional to find the most cost-effective solution for health management.
Rybelsus is the first oral GLP-1 medication approved by the FDA for type 2 diabetes management. Other GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Victoza (liraglutide), are administered via weekly subcutaneous injections. Some, such as Adlyxin (lixisenatide), require daily injections.
According to Janelle Duah, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, while Rybelsus may be a good option for people who dislike the idea of needles, it isn’t appropriate for everyone. Specifically she noted that Rybelsus has a higher risk of side effects than Ozempic or Vicotoza, and therefore might not be a good option if you’re already dealing with GI symptoms, like diarrhea or nausea.
Doctors may prescribe Rybelsus off-label if people without diabetes want to try it for weight loss. However, they are more likely to prescribe a GLP-1 drug that’s already FDA approved for weight loss.
Rybelsus may not be as popular as other GLP-1 medication because it is not FDA-approved for weight loss. It is approved for the management of type 2 diabetes.
Plus, you must take Rybelsus in the morning with up to 4 ounces of water and on an empty stomach. You must also wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking after taking Rybelsus. This makes Rybelsus less convenient to take than other GLP-1 medications.
Janelle Duah, MD also calls attention to a higher risk of side effects from Rybelsus.
No, you cannot buy Rybelsus over the counter. It is a prescription-only drug for the management of type 2 diabetes. People may also have it prescribed off-label for weight loss.
Prices for Rybelsus at Walmart can start at around $1,000. How much Rybelsus costs depends on a variety of factors, from your insurance coverage, the pharmacy or telehealth company you use, and your treatment plan.
You can get a Rybelsus prescription in person from a doctor or from reliable telehealth companies and weight loss programs. Rybelsus is an oral GLP-1 medication FDA-approved for the management of type 2 diabetes, but doctors may prescribe it off-label for weight loss.
Buying Rybelsus online can be more convenient and offer more access to ongoing medical support during your weight loss journey, but it can also pose some safety risks. These can include health risks from counterfeit or compounded medication, disreputable companies offering GLP-1 medication at very low prices, or from unsafe sources.
If you want to buy Rybelsus online, ensure you do so from a reputable and licensed provider.