Key takeaways
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) should be taken daily in the morning, at least 30 minutes before drinking, eating, or taking other medications.
Semaglutide tablets should be swallowed whole with 4 ounces of water or less.
Taking oral semaglutide as directed ensures your body absorbs a maximum amount of the medication.
Here's what we'll cover
Here's what we'll cover
Here's what we'll cover
Key takeaways
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) should be taken daily in the morning, at least 30 minutes before drinking, eating, or taking other medications.
Semaglutide tablets should be swallowed whole with 4 ounces of water or less.
Taking oral semaglutide as directed ensures your body absorbs a maximum amount of the medication.
Oral semaglutide offers a needle-free alternative to injectable versions like Ozempic and Wegovy. If you’ve been prescribed Rybelsus (or the hopefully-soon-to-be-approved Wegovy pill), you’re probably wondering how to take oral semaglutide.
Semaglutide tablets require a bit more planning than some other oral medications. Read on to learn what you need to know.
How to take oral semaglutide
Oral semaglutide should be taken daily in the morning, as soon as you wake up, before drinking, eating, or taking other medications.
How to take Rybelsus
Step 1. Take 1 tablet of Rybelsus daily on an empty stomach upon first waking up.
Step 2. Swallow Rybelsus whole with as little water as possible (4 ounces or less).
Step 3. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications.
The above instructions for taking Rybelsus tablets are based on the medication’s prescribing information.
How to take oral Wegovy (the Wegovy pill)
The instructions above also match a clinical dosing trial of the Wegovy pill, which is currently pending approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Specific instructions for taking Wegovy semaglutide tablets will be released with the drug’s prescribing information once it’s granted FDA approval.
That said, here’s an idea of how you might take oral Wegovy:
Step 1. Take 1 tablet of Wegovy daily on an empty stomach upon first waking up.
Step 2. Swallow the Wegovy pill whole with as little water as possible (4 ounces or less).
Step 3. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medications.
When to take oral semaglutide
The best time to take oral semaglutide — Rybelsus or the Wegovy pill — is first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before any food, drinks, or other medications.
When is the best time to take oral semaglutide?
After an overnight fast: The medication works best after you haven’t had any food, water, or beverages for at least six hours.
Before drinking water or other beverages: You should take oral semaglutide with up to 4 ounces of water. Drinking more than that can reduce the absorption of the medication. Wait at least 30 minutes before drinking more water or other beverages.
Before breakfast and food: Wait to have breakfast for at least 30 minutes after taking semaglutide — up to two hours if you can. Studies show that the longer you wait to eat, the better the medication is absorbed.
Before any other oral medications: Avoid taking any other oral medications for at least 30 minutes after your dose of oral semaglutide.
How often do you take oral semaglutide?
Oral semaglutide is taken daily, whether you’re taking Rybelsus or the Wegovy pill.
Each semaglutide tablet should be swallowed whole, with up to 4 ounces of water, on an empty stomach in the morning.
How to store oral semaglutide
Oral semaglutide should be stored at room temperature in a dry place in its original bottle.
The ideal storage temperature for oral semaglutide is 68°F–77°F (20°C–25°C). The temperature can be slightly higher (59°F/15°C) or lower (86°F/30°C) if you’re transporting the drug somewhere.
Storing oral semaglutide somewhere dry and in its original bottle protects the tablets from moisture.
The instructions above are for Rybelsus. Until oral Wegovy is FDA-approved, we won’t know the exact storage instructions for that version of oral semaglutide. But given that it also has semaglutide as its active ingredient, the guidance may be similar to that for Rybelsus.
Bottom line
Oral semaglutide works best when you take it the right way — in the morning on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before having any food, drinks, or other medications. Taking it this way ensures your body absorbs a maximum amount of the medication.
Oral semaglutide tablets are taken once daily, whether you’re taking Rybelsus or the Wegovy pill (FDA approval pending).
Oral semaglutide should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, swallowed whole with no more than 4 ounces of water.
Waiting at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications is essential for maximum absorption. Waiting longer (up to 2 hours) may work even better.
Store your semaglutide tablets at room temperature in a dry place, inside the original bottle, to protect them from moisture.
Taking oral semaglutide as directed helps ensure you get the full therapeutic effects for blood sugar control or weight loss.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How much oral semaglutide to take daily to lose weight?
The standard maintenance dose of oral semaglutide (Rybelsus) is 14 mg once daily. But, according to clinical trials, people tend to lose more weight at higher doses of 25 mg or 50 mg once daily. These higher doses are not yet available, and only the 25 mg dose of oral semaglutide is currently awaiting FDA approval.
How quickly does oral semaglutide work?
It takes time to see weight loss results with oral semaglutide, just as with other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs. But most people notice changes within 12 weeks, depending on their diet and other individual factors.
How long after taking oral semaglutide can I eat?
You should wait at least 30 minutes after taking oral semaglutide before eating. Studies show that waiting even longer — up to two hours — may increase the medication’s absorption.
Is it better to take oral semaglutide at night or in the morning?
The best time to take oral semaglutide is in the morning on an empty stomach, when it’s been at least six hours since you last ate or drank. Take oral semaglutide with a 1/2 cup (or less) of water (4 ounces), and then wait at least 30 minutes before having any food, drink, or other medications.
Can I drink coffee after oral semaglutide?
Not immediately. You should wait at least 30 minutes after taking oral semaglutide before drinking coffee or other beverages. Drinking or eating sooner than that can reduce the medication’s absorption.
Can I drink water after taking oral semaglutide?
Not immediately. You should wait at least 30 minutes after taking semaglutide before drinking water or other beverages. Drinking water sooner than that can reduce the medication’s absorption.
DISCLAIMER
If you have any medical questions or concerns, please talk to your healthcare provider. The articles on Health Guide are underpinned by peer-reviewed research and information drawn from medical societies and governmental agencies. However, they are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ozempic Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
Wegovy Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
GLP-1 Important Safety Information: Read more about serious warnings and safety info.
References
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ClinicalTrials.gov. (2023). Research Study Comparing New Tablets of Semaglutide in New Doses, in Healthy People. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04524832
Gabe, M. B. N., Breitschaft, A., Knop, F. K., et al. (2024). Effect of oral semaglutide on energy intake, appetite, control of eating and gastric emptying in adults living with obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 26(10), 4480–4489. doi: 10.1111/dom.15802. Retrieved from https://dom-pubs.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com/doi/10.1111/dom.15802
Knop, F. K., Aroda, V. R., do Vale, R. D., et al. (2023). Oral semaglutide 50 mg taken once per day in adults with overweight or obesity (OASIS 1): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet (London, England), 402(10403), 705–719. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01185-6. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37385278/
Krajnc, M., Kuhar, N., & Koceva, A. (2025). Oral semaglutide for the treatment of obesity: a retrospective real-world study. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 16, 1593334. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1593334. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12158668/
Novo Nordisk. (2025). Press Release: FDA accepts filing application for oral semaglutide 25 mg, which if approved, would be the first oral GLP-1 treatment for obesity. Retrieved from https://www.novonordisk-us.com/media/news-archive/news-details.html?id=915988
Overgaard, R. V., Navarria, A., Ingwersen, S. H., et al. (2021). Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Oral Semaglutide: Analyses of Data from Clinical Pharmacology Trials. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 60(10), 1335–1348. doi: 10.1007/s40262-021-01025-x. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8505367/
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2025). Highlights of Prescribing Information: Rybelsus (semaglutide) tablets, for oral use. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/213051s024,s028s029lbl.pdf
Wharton, S., Lingvay, I., Bogdanski, P., et al. (2025). Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. The New England Journal of Medicine, 393(11), 1077–1087. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2500969. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40934115/
