Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind popular weight loss medication Wegovy, has launched the first GLP-1 weight loss pill.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novo Nordisk’s pill Wegovy, which is now available in US pharmacies.
Clinical trials showed that patients achieved similar weight loss with the oral medication as with the injectable GLP-1 drug Wegovy. In a 64-week phase 3 clinical trial, the Wegovy pills demonstrated a mean weight loss of 16.6%, with a third of the 1,300 participants experiencing a weight loss of 20% or greater.
Results from the clinical trial also displayed common adverse reactions, including nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, which were similar to those previously seen in clinical trials with the Wegovy injection.
The main difference between the oral pill and the injection is dosing frequency: the new option is taken daily, while Wegovy is a weekly injection.
The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. Patients are directed not to eat, drink, or ingest other medications for 30 minutes after taking the pill.
The pill offers a more affordable alternative to weight loss injections. Novo Nordisk stated that the medication will cost around $149 for a month’s supply without insurance coverage, which was decided under an agreement between the company and the Trump administration.
With insurance, the Wegovy starter dose could cost as little as $25 per month.
The future of GLP-1 weight loss medications
"Patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection," said Mike Doustdar, Novo Nordisk’s chief executive.
“This moment is about changing what's possible in weight management, and to make that possible, we have worked to ensure the Wegovy pill is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care."
It is also hoped that the weight loss pill will help patients stick to a healthy weight loss routine, including dieting and regular exercise.
One of Novo Nordisk’s competitors, Eli Lilly - the pharmaceutical company behind Ozempic - is seeking FDA approval for its oral weight loss medication, currently known as Orforglipron.
When will the new GLP-1 pill be available in the UK?
Novo Nordisk submitted its oral Wegovy pill for regulatory approval in the UK and Europe in late 2025. The UK approval process typically follows the European Medicines Agency (EMA) review, with MHRA decisions often coming a few months after European approval.
There is not yet a known approval date for the new pill in the UK, however, industry analysis suggests that it could be early to mid-2026, subject to regulatory approval and local marketing authorisation.
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