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How Does Rybelsus Compare to Other Drugs?

Updated: 1/31/22 1:54 pmPublished: 1/31/22
By Matthew Garza

Are you currently taking metformin but not meeting your A1C goals? Join a study looking to compare Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) with other oral diabetes drugs to see how it can improve your glucose levels.

Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT05035082

Trial Name: A Research Study Comparing RYBELSUS to Other Blood Sugar Lowering Tablets in People Living in America With Type 2 Diabetes (REALYSE)

Diabetes Type: Type 2 diabetes

Trial Sponsor: Novo Nordisk

Trial Locations: Several locations in the US including in California, Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. You can find a complete list of locations here.

What is the trial testing?

This study aims to compare Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) to other oral diabetes medications when used with metformin. The study will include around 1900 people with type 2 diabetes who are already on metformin. Participants will be randomly assigned to be prescribed either Rybelsus or another diabetes drug by their doctor.

The study will measure a few key parameters including changes in A1C, number of participants who achieve an A1C below 7.0% and below 6.5%, weight loss, and treatment satisfaction.

The study will last approximately two years. Over the course of the study, participants will have several check-ins and surveys with the research team and their individual care team, including:

  • Three planned visits with their healthcare provider (at the start of the trial, at a one-year follow-up, and at a two-year follow-up.

  • Up to three check-in calls each year with the research team.

  • Up to 12 short questionnaires that can be taken on a smartphone or tablet, or on paper if preferred.

Why is this trial new and important?

Rybelsus is a tablet form of semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is taken as a pill once a day. GLP-1 drugs can lower glucose levels, help manage weight, and may support heart health.

Although Rybelsus was approved by the FDA in 2019, as with all medications, researchers continue to monitor the drug in real-world studies. The drug is still monitored so that researchers can compare the drug with other similar medications, test its safety, and understand the health impacts in larger populations.

Additionally, Rybelsus is the only currently available GLP-1 receptor agonist that is available in a pill form (all other medicines in this drug class are injections). Understanding how Rybelsus compares to other oral diabetes drugs can help inform healthcare providers looking to prescribe the best medications for the people they treat.

Are you interested?

You may be eligible for this study if you:

  • Have type 2 diabetes

  • Have been on metformin (only) for at least 90 days

  • Have a health plan that includes pharmacy benefits

  • Have had an A1C greater than 7% in the last 90 days

  • Are not pregnant or breast-feeding

You can see a full list of eligibility and exclusion criteria here.

For More Information: To learn more, please contact the Novo Nordisk team at (+1)-866-867-7178 or [email protected].

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About the authors

Matthew Garza joined the diaTribe Foundation as an associate in 2020 where he worked on diaTribe Learn and the dSeries Executive Innovation Labs. In February 2022, he helped launch dStigmatize.org... Read the full bio »