Wegovy Pills

What are Wegovy pills?

Wegovy pills are a once-daily weight loss pill containing semaglutide, the same active ingredient in the Wegovy injection. They're already available in the US and are expected to arrive in the UK later in 2026.

They're made by Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus.

How do Wegovy pills work?

Wegovy pills are a GLP-1 receptor agonist and work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone your body naturally produces. It activates receptors in the brain to increase feelings of fullness, reduces hunger, and slows gastric emptying (how quickly food leaves your stomach), helping you feel satisfied for longer.

This can mean people taking it may:

• feel fuller faster during meals
• have fewer cravings and less of an urge to snack
• find it easier to eat less without feeling deprived

However, they're not a quick fix. Wegovy pills work best when you're also eating well and moving more.

Benefits of Wegovy pills in clinical trials

• Doesn’t require needles or sharps bins: Pills may be preferred by people who are uncomfortable with injections, potentially making this type of weight loss treatment accessible to a wider group.
• Proven weight loss in clinical trials. People lost an average of 14% of their bodyweight over 64 weeks during the OASIS study. And around one in four people lost 20% or more.
• Heart health. Wegovy is currently the only weight loss medication licenced to reduce the risk of serious heart events like heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death in overweight and obese patients in clinical trials.

When are Wegovy pills available in the UK?

Wegovy pills are not currently available in the UK, although they have recently been approved and launched in the US. They’re expected to arrive in the UK in 2026, but no official launch date has been confirmed.

Before any new medication can be prescribed in the UK, it must go through a regulatory process:

• The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) reviews the clinical evidence and grants a marketing authorisation.
• For NHS use in England, NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) then assesses whether the treatment is cost-effective enough to recommend.

Wegovy pills have already been tested in large clinical trials, including the 64-week OASIS 4 Study Group trial used to support their US approval. This data is likely to form the basis of any UK application.

In the meantime, the Wegovy injection is available in the UK both privately and on the NHS. While both have eligibility criteria, it’s much stricter on the NHS, and waiting lists are long.

To see if you’re eligible for Wegovy injections with Chemist4U, simply complete an online consultation with us.

Is the Wegovy pill safe?

Wegovy pills were approved in December 2025 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one of the strictest medicine regulators in the world, based on clinical trial data from hundreds of adults who are overweight or living with obesity.

Like any medication, they carry potential side effects and aren't right for everyone. But for people who meet the eligibility criteria, they're considered safe and effective when used as directed and under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

How effective was the Wegovy pill in clinical trials?

During the OASIS clinical trial, patients on average lost around 14% of their starting weight while taking Wegovy pills. That's a loss of around 33lbs (roughly 15kg or two stone) from an average starting weight of 235lbs (approx. 106kg or 16 stone).

This study followed overweight or obese adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition taking the highest 25mg dose over 64 weeks. Adults with type 2 diabetes were excluded.

It's important to note that individual results can vary, too, and that these results were in a clinical trial environment. Some people lose less weight, while other lose more. For example, researchers found:

• 76% of people (8 in 10) lost at least 5% of their body weight.
• 60% of people (6 in 10) lost at least 10%.
• 47% of people (5 in 10) lost at least 15%.
• 28% of people (1 in 4) lost 20% or more.

Wegovy pills eligibility

Since Wegovy pills aren't available in the UK yet, we can't confirm the exact eligibility criteria, but we'll update this as soon as we know more.

If the eligibility criteria for Wegovy pills follows the same guidelines as Wegovy injections, you'll likely need:

• a BMI of 30 or above, or
• a BMI of 27 or above alongside a weight-related health condition like type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol

Before starting treatment, you would need to complete a consultation, which one of our expert clinicians would review to make sure Wegovy pills are safe and suitable for you.

Understanding the differences between Wegovy pills and injections

If you’re at the start of your weight loss journey, you may be wondering what type of treatment is right for you. It all depends on what you want from your treatment.

Weight loss in clinical trials

Both forms of Wegovy contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but the trial data shows some differences in how well they work for weight loss.

The STEP-1 trial found that Wegovy injections led to an average weight loss of around 17% over 68 weeks. The newer STEP UP trial in 2025 looked at the higher 7.2mg dose and found average weight loss of 21% over 72 weeks.

Meanwhile, Wegovy pills, studied in the OASIS trial, produced an average weight loss of around 14% over 64 weeks.

Convenience

This is where pills may have more appeal for some. There’s no need for needles, sharps bins, or keeping the medication refrigerated. If the idea of self-injecting puts you off, pills could be a better option.

However, whereas Wegovy injections can be administered with or without food, Wegovy pills must be taken on an empty stomach. So, while taking a tablet might be more appealing for some, planning when you can and can’t eat in the morning can have its drawbacks.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which is more convenient for you, day-to-day.

Side effects

As they contain the same active ingredient, clinical studies found that the side effects are fairly similar across both forms of Wegovy. Most side effects tend to be mild and improve over time as your body adjusts.

The only exception is that Wegovy injections can sometimes cause mild site reactions, which won’t be the case with pills.

Wegovy pills dosing schedule

Just like Wegovy injections, during clinical trials, Wegovy pills used a titration process. This means you’ll gradually increase your dose each month (if suitable) to give your body time to adjust and reduce any potential side effects.

Your prescriber will advise you when it’s best to increase your dose based on how well you’re tolerating the medicine and your progress.

Below is an example dosing schedule. Not everyone will need the highest dose to achieve meaningful weight loss, and you can stay at each dose as long as you need to.

How to take Wegovy pills

• Take your Wegovy pills first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, before eating or drinking, or taking any other oral medication.
• Swallow whole with no more than 120ml of plain water. Not sparkling water, coffee, juice, or anything else.
• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than water, or taking other medications.
• Don't crush, chew, or split the tablet.
• Try to take it at the same time every morning so it becomes part of your routine.

What to do if you miss a dose

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next tablet the following morning as normal. Don't double up, as it won't help and could increase side effects.

If you miss several doses in a row, speak to your prescriber before continuing, as they may want to review your dose.

Wegovy pill price

UK pricing hasn't been confirmed yet. Once Wegovy pills launch, the price will be set by Novo Nordisk. For private prescriptions, pricing will vary by provider. We'll update this page as soon as our official pricing is available.

Wegovy pill side effects

Like all medications, Wegovy pills may cause side effects in some people, but not everybody gets them. Wegovy side effects are more common when you first start treatment or when your dose increases.

Thankfully, they tend to be mild and there are plenty of things you can do to manage them.

Common side effects of Wegovy pills may include:

• nausea
• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• constipation
• stomach pain
• changes in skin sensations
• headaches
• tiredness
• upset stomach
• dizziness
• bloating or belching
• wind
• heartburn
• hair loss

When to seek medical help

Contact your GP or prescriber or seek urgent medical help if you experience any of the following:

• Pancreatitis: Severe stomach pain that won't go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. The pain may also spread to your back.
• Gallbladder problems (like gallstones): Pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or clay-coloured stools.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia): Particularly if you also take insulin or sulfonylureas. Signs include dizziness, blurred vision, anxiety, sweating, slurred speech, shakiness, confusion, a fast heartbeat or feeling jittery.
• Dehydration and kidney problems: Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which can affect your kidneys. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids.
• Severe stomach problems: Stomach issues that are severe or won't go away.
• Serious allergic reaction: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting, or a very rapid heartbeat.
• Changes in vision: If you have type 2 diabetes and notice any changes in your vision, speak to your doctor.
• Increased heart rate: Your heart feels like it's racing or pounding at rest, and it lasts for several minutes.

Who shouldn’t take Wegovy pills

The manufacturer states you shouldn’t take Wegovy pills if:

• you're allergic to semaglutide or any of the other listed ingredients
• you've previously had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy
• you or a close family member has ever had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), a type of thyroid cancer
• you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Tell your prescriber before starting if you:

• have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• have type 2 diabetes with a history of diabetic retinopathy
• are due to have surgery or a procedure involving anaesthesia
• are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Wegovy may harm your unborn baby, so you should stop taking it at least two months before trying to conceive
• are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Breastfeeding isn't recommended while taking Wegovy pills

Tell your prescriber about all medications you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter treatments, vitamins and supplements. Wegovy can affect how some medicines work, and some medicines can affect how Wegovy works.

This is especially important if you take diabetes medications like insulin or sulfonylureas, as using Wegovy alongside these treatments increases your risk of hypoglycaemia.

How to store Wegovy pills

The manufacturer recommends that you should:

• Keep your Wegovy pills at room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C.
• Store in a dry place away from moisture. Avoid keeping them in the bathroom if it gets hot and steamy.
• Keep them in the original bottle with the cap tightly closed.
• The bottle is child-resistant, but always keep it out of reach of children.

Alternatives to Wegovy pills

If Wegovy pills aren't the right fit for you, there are plenty of alternatives to explore:

• Wegovy injections: The injectable version of the same drug (semaglutide), taken as a once-weekly jab.
• Mounjaro injections: Another once-weekly injection containing tirzepatide, which targets two appetite-related hormones, GLP-1 and GIP.
• Rybelsus: A daily semaglutide tablet licensed for type 2 diabetes but sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
• Orlistat (Alli, Orlos, Xenical): Works in the gut to block around a third of the fat you eat from being absorbed. The 60mg version is available over-the-counter, while the stronger 120mg version is prescription-only.
• Mysimba: A prescription-only daily tablet containing naltrexone and bupropion, which work on the areas of the brain that control hunger and food cravings. Only available privately in the UK.

Clinical results from Wegovy pills and weight loss injections

If you want to start your weight loss journey sooner, before Wegovy pills arrive in the UK, you may still have some effective options to choose from, like Wegovy and Mounjaro injections. You’ll just need to fill out a short consultation, so our clinicians can assess whether injections are the right fit for you.

Information from manufacturer data is shown below:

Oral weight loss treatments at a glance

If injections aren’t right for you and you’d prefer to go down the oral route, there’s still treatments available while you wait, like orlistat and Mysimba, as long as our clinicians agree they’re appropriate for you.

Data from manufacturers is shown below:

Frequently asked questions about Wegovy pills

Will GLP-1 tablets be cheaper than injections?

Prescription pricing is shaped by many factors, including licensing and demand. It's possible tablets could be priced similarly to injections, at least when they first launch.

Will Wegovy pills be available on the NHS?

It isn’t confirmed yet whether Wegovy pills will be available on the NHS. Once the MHRA grants licensing, NICE will assess whether they're cost-effective for NHS use. If approved, eligibility will likely follow a similar structure to Wegovy injections.

However, NHS availability may be limited initially, so going private could be the more accessible option when they first launch.

Are Wegovy pills the same as Rybelsus tablets?

Wegovy and Rybelsus are both tablets, contain semaglutide, and are made by Novo Nordisk. But they're designed and licensed for different things.

Rybelsus:

• licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight loss
• available in doses of 1.5mg, 4mg, and 9mg (new doses)

Wegovy pills:

• licensed specifically for weight management
• available in doses of 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg, and 25mg

Because they're different products with different licences, using Rybelsus for weight loss would be off-label use. Although this is common, safe, and legal, it's only done if your prescriber thinks it’s appropriate for you.

Sources

• Our Medicines. Novo Nordisk. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
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• Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. GOV.UK. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• NICE Homepage. NICE. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. (2025). New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Wegovy Tablets Prescribing Information. (2025). FDA. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. (2023). New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Semaglutide for Managing Overweight and Obesity. (2023). NICE. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. (2022). New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Once-Weekly Semaglutide 7.2mg in Adults with Obesity (STEP UP). (2025). PubMed. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• How Saxenda Works. Saxenda. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• Saxenda Side Effects. Saxenda. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].
• FDA Approves Orforglipron, First GLP-1 Pill Without Time, Food, or Water Restrictions. (2026). Pharmacy Times. [Accessed 2nd April 2026].