Novo Nordisk’s diabetes pill Rybelsus has shown a 14% reduced risk of cardiovascular complications after four years in patients with diabetes and established heart disease, according to a late-stage trial. The once-daily oral medication, which is already approved for Type 2 diabetes, demonstrated benefits comparable to injectable GLP-1s, such as Ozempic.
The trial involved over 9,600 patients aged 50 and older who received Rybelsus or a placebo, both on top of their standard treatment regimen. After four years, the risk of cardiovascular-related death, heart attack, and stroke was lower by 14% in patients taking Rybelsus compared to those receiving a placebo.
Rybelsus helped reduce the risk of non-fatal heart attacks by 26%, non-fatal strokes by 12%, and cardiovascular-related death by 7%. The medication’s gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, were common but rarely led patients to stop taking it.
The results support Novo Nordisk’s efforts to expand its diabetes treatment options. With Wegovy, the company recently won U.S. approval for a weekly weight loss injection containing semaglutide. This new oral formulation offers a convenient alternative for patients hesitant to take injections.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/29/novo-nordisks-diabetes-pill-rybelsus-slashes-cardiovascular-risk.html