Wegovy® Oral Pill (Semaglutide Tablet)

The Wegovy pill can begin to reduce appetite within the first few days to weeks of treatment, but noticeable weight loss typically takes longer to develop. The dose is gradually increased every 30 days during the first 12 weeks, with most patients reaching the 25mg maintenance dose from day 91 onwards. The visible weight loss results tend to build progressively as the dose escalates.

Further analysis of the OASIS 4 trial presented at the European Congress on Obesity 2026 identified two response patterns. Around one in three participants were "early responders" who lost at least 10% of their body weight by week 16, and went on to lose an average of 21.6% by week 64. Those who responded more slowly still achieved an average weight loss of 11.5% by week 64, suggesting that meaningful weight loss is achievable even when initial progress is more gradual.

Individual response can vary depending on starting weight, dose tolerance, dietary changes and consistency with daily dosing. Patients should not stop or adjust treatment based on early progress alone, and should speak to their prescriber if they have concerns about their weight loss results.

Wegovy pills are a prescription-only treatment approved in the UK for adults with obesity, defined as a BMI of 30 or above, or adults who are overweight, with a BMI between 27 and 30, and have at least one weight-related health condition.

Wegovy pills should be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

The decision to prescribe Wegovy pills will be made by a registered prescriber based on a full clinical assessment, including consideration of your medical history, current medications and weight loss goals.

Furthermore, the pivotal 25mg oral semaglutide weight-management study excluded adults with type 2 diabetes, so individuals with type 2 diabetes may need additional clinical review when considering suitability.

Wegovy pills have been approved as a licensed prescription weight loss treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the OASIS clinical trial programme. The safety profile is broadly similar to that of the Wegovy injection, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most commonly reported. These are often mild to moderate, but for some patients, these can be more severe and may require medical advice.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved Wegovy pills on 11 June 2026 in the UK, meaning the treatment has met their regulatory standards and pharmacovigilance requirements in the same way as any other prescription medication.

As with any prescription weight loss medication, Wegovy pills should be taken under medical supervision following a structured clinical assessment. Patients should always read the patient information leaflet provided with the medication, adhere to the prescribed dose schedule and report any concerning side effects to their prescriber.

As both Wegovy tablets and the Wegovy injection contain the same active ingredient (semaglutide), their side effect profiles are similar.

In the OASIS 4 clinical trial, 74% of participants reported gastrointestinal side effects, compared with 42% in the placebo group.

The most common side effects of Wegovy tablets are:

• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Being sick (vomiting)
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Upset stomach

Less common side effects can include:

• Headache
• Tiredness
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Bloating, burping or wind
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Runny nose or sore throat

Please note: this is not a complete list of side effects or warnings. Patients should read the patient information leaflet and speak to their prescriber if they are unsure whether treatment is suitable.

For most individuals, these side effects are temporary and tend to subside over time as the body adjusts to the medication.

A full list of side effects and warnings will be included in the patient information leaflet supplied with the medication. Always read the leaflet before starting treatment and speak to your prescriber if you are unsure whether Wegovy tablets are suitable for you.

If you get any side effects that get worse, do not improve after a few weeks or are stopping you from completing your daily activities, speak to your prescriber for more advice.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience signs of pancreatitis (severe stomach pain that does not go away, which may spread to your back), severe allergic reaction (swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing) or severe dehydration from persistent vomiting or diarrhoea.

It is also important to seek urgent medical attention if you develop severe pain in the upper right abdomen, pain that spreads to the shoulder or back, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or persistent nausea and vomiting, as these may be signs of gallbladder problems.

Recommended reading: How To Manage Wegovy Semaglutide Tablet Side Effects

Wegovy pills are not suitable for everyone. Do not take Wegovy pills if you:

• Are allergic to semaglutide or any of the other ingredients in Wegovy pills
• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy
• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Consult your prescriber before starting your treatment with the Wegovy pill if you:

• Have type 2 diabetes, particularly if you have diabetic retinopathy
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Have a severe gastrointestinal disease, such as gastroparesis
• Are taking insulin or sulfonylureas, as the risk of hypoglycaemia may be increased
• Are due to have surgery or a procedure involving general anaesthesia
• Have had pancreatitis or have risk factors for pancreatitis

This is not a complete list of contraindications or precautions. Patients should read the patient information leaflet and speak to their prescriber before starting treatment.

The 30-minute fasting window after taking the Wegovy pill is important because food, drink and other oral medications can significantly reduce how much semaglutide your body absorbs. This means other oral medications should not be taken within the 30-minute window after the Wegovy pill.

Examples of medications that may need timing adjustments include:

• Thyroid hormone replacement (levothyroxine)
• Oral contraceptives (see contraceptive pill section below)
• Blood pressure medications
• Statins
• Antibiotics

If you are taking insulin or sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes, the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) may be increased when starting Wegovy pills, and your prescriber may adjust the dose of these medications. Semaglutide alone is not usually associated with hypoglycaemia, but the risk can increase when it is used with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Do not take Wegovy pills alongside other GLP-1 medications or incretin-based medicines such as the Wegovy injection, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda or Rybelsus, unless specifically directed by a prescriber.

Always tell your prescriber about all medications you take, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, before starting Wegovy pills. Always consult your prescriber before changing the timing or dosage of prescribed medicines you are taking.

While both the Wegovy tablets and Wegovy injectable pen contain semaglutide, their dosing, absorption and evidence base differ. Late-stage oral semaglutide (Wegovy tablets) results appear broadly in the same range as injectable semaglutide results (Wegovy injectable pens) in indirect comparisons.

The 25mg Wegovy pill and the 2.4mg Wegovy injection use different dosing schedules and are absorbed differently. In separate clinical trials, both have produced substantial average weight loss, but the results should not be treated as a direct head-to-head comparison. The higher-dose 7.2mg Wegovy injection has been associated with greater average weight loss than either the pill or the 2.4mg injection.

In practice, the better option for you can be based on your personal preference, your lifestyle and how well you tolerate the treatment.

Here are some of the key differences to consider:

• Frequency of the treatment: the tablet is taken once daily, while the injection is taken once weekly. Some people prefer a daily routine, while others find a weekly dose easier.
• How treatment is taken: the tablet must be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. The injection can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
• Storing the treatment: injectable Wegovy is typically stored in the fridge before use. The tablet can be kept at room temperature, which can make it more convenient for some people.
• Treatment dosing: the injection offers a wider range of dosing options, including higher-dose maintenance options such as the 7.2mg Wegovy pen, while the tablet is available in four doses.
• Treatment preference: for people who are uncomfortable with injections, the tablet may feel like a more accessible option. It is also a more suitable option when travelling.

It may be possible to switch from the Wegovy injection to the Wegovy pill now that the tablet has received MHRA approval, but any switch should only happen following assessment by a prescriber. Do not change, stop or restart treatment without speaking to your prescriber first.

The MHRA has indicated that patients treated privately with the 2.4mg weekly semaglutide injection can transition to the 25mg daily tablet where clinically suitable. Your prescriber will advise on the right timing when moving from the injection to the tablet.

Recommended reading: Wegovy Semaglutide Tablets vs Injection: Which Is Better for Weight Loss?

Wegovy pills and Mounjaro are different medications. Wegovy pills contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, a dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Mounjaro acts on two hormone pathways involved in appetite regulation and insulin response, while semaglutide acts on one.

In the SURMOUNT-1 clinical trials, Mounjaro at the maximum 15mg weekly dose produced an average weight loss of 22.5% over 72 weeks, one of the largest average weight-loss results achieved in late-stage obesity trials of currently approved weight loss medications. Wegovy pills at the maximum 25mg daily dose produced an average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks among participants who fully adhered to treatment. In the broader OASIS 4 treatment-policy analysis, average body weight loss was 13.6%.

However, direct comparisons of these two treatments are not possible because the trials used different designs and durations.

Wegovy pills and Foundayo (orforglipron) are both oral GLP-1 tablets, but they come from different manufacturers and have different licensed uses.

Wegovy pills contain semaglutide and were the first oral GLP-1 tablet approved by the MHRA for weight management in the UK, in June 2026. Foundayo contains orforglipron, a non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist manufactured by Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro. On 10 August 2026, the MHRA authorised Foundayo for weight management and type 2 diabetes, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve orforglipron.

In the Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial, participants taking the highest dose of Foundayo lost an average of approximately 11% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared with an average of 13.6% body weight loss for Wegovy pills over 64 weeks in its Phase 3 trial.

One practical difference is how the tablets are taken. Wegovy pills must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with a 30-minute fasting window afterwards. Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food or water, which may offer more flexibility for some patients.

Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine and is not currently available on the NHS, pending a NICE evaluation. It is not yet available to buy through Pharmica.

Wegovy pills and Ozempic both contain semaglutide, but they are licensed for different conditions and are not interchangeable.

Ozempic is a once-weekly injection licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Wegovy pills are a once-daily oral tablet licensed specifically for weight management. The doses used in Wegovy pills (1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg) are also significantly higher than those used in Ozempic.

Ozempic is licensed for type 2 diabetes, not weight management. Use for weight loss would be off-label and should only be considered where clinically appropriate by a prescriber.

Wegovy pills and Orlistat are both prescription oral treatments for weight loss, but they work through different mechanisms.

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor, which means it blocks the absorption of around 30% of dietary fat in the small intestine. It is taken with each main meal that contains fat.

Wegovy pills work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone to reduce appetite and slow gastric emptying.

Orlistat trials show an average weight loss of approximately 5% to 10% over 12 months when used alongside a calorie-controlled diet, compared with around 16.6% average body weight loss for Wegovy pills over 64 weeks among participants who fully adhered to treatment. Side effect profiles also differ, with Orlistat's most common side effects being changes in bowel habits relating to the unabsorbed dietary fat.

Recommended reading: Wegovy Semaglutide Tablets vs Orlistat: Which Is Right for You?

Wegovy pills and Rybelsus are both oral semaglutide tablets manufactured by Novo Nordisk, but they are licensed for different conditions and use different dose ranges.

Rybelsus is licensed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is available in doses of 3mg, 7mg and 14mg. Wegovy pills are licensed for weight management and use a higher-dose formulation, with doses of 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg.

Because Rybelsus is licensed for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss, prescribing it for weight management would be considered off-label use.

Yes. The terms "Wegovy tablets", "Wegovy pill" and "oral semaglutide" all refer to the same medication. Novo Nordisk markets the product internationally as the Wegovy pill, but in the UK context, many patients, prescribers and pharmacies refer to it as Wegovy tablets. Both terms describe the once-daily oral semaglutide tablet that is now approved for weight management in the UK and by the FDA in the United States for chronic weight management.

The active ingredient (semaglutide), the dose schedule and the formulation are the same regardless of which name is used. However, this medication is different from the Wegovy injection (a once-weekly injection containing semaglutide for weight loss) and from Rybelsus (a separate oral semaglutide tablet from Novo Nordisk licensed for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss).

Yes. The Wegovy pill is now available to buy in the UK. It was approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency on 11 June 2026 as the first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and weight management, and it can be ordered from Pharmica.

As the Wegovy pill is a prescription-only medicine, our registered prescriber will review your medical questionnaire to confirm the treatment is suitable for you before your order is dispatched.

Wegovy tablets are not currently available on the NHS. NHS availability will depend on NICE evaluation and implementation through NHS prescribing pathways.

The Wegovy pill is available to buy in the UK from Pharmica after completing an online consultation questionnaire. As it is a prescription-only medicine, our prescribers will review your answers to confirm the treatment is suitable for you before your order is dispatched.

Yes, it may be possible to switch from Wegovy injections to Wegovy pills now that Wegovy tablets have received MHRA approval in the UK. However, switching should only happen following prescriber assessment.

The MHRA has stated that patients currently treated privately with 2.4mg semaglutide injection once weekly can be transitioned straight to semaglutide 25mg tablets once daily, where clinically suitable. Do not switch between treatments, stop treatment or restart treatment without speaking to your prescriber first.

When you switch, the prescriber will assess your treatment history with the injection and your current weight loss progress to determine the most suitable starting dose. Any gap between treatments or starting dose should be determined by the prescriber in line with the authorised product information.

Patients who choose to switch typically do so for practical reasons, including a preference for oral over injectable treatment, easier travel and storage and a daily dosing routine that suits them better than weekly injections.

The Wegovy pill uses a much higher dose than the injection (25mg daily versus 2.4mg weekly) as semaglutide is a peptide that the stomach would normally break down before it could be absorbed. The tablet includes an absorption enhancer called SNAC, which protects the semaglutide in the stomach and helps it pass into the bloodstream.

Despite this, only a small fraction is absorbed orally (around 1%), which is why the daily dose is higher and why the tablet must be taken on an empty stomach.

The Wegovy pill reduces appetite, which can mean you drink less without noticing. Combined with the nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea that can occur in the early weeks of the treatment, this can raise the risk of dehydration. Aim for at least 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid a day, and increase you fluid intake during dose escalation if you have digestive side effects.

Signs of dehydration include dark urine, a dry mouth, dizziness and feeling lightheaded. If you cannot keep fluids down, contact NHS 111 rather than waiting for the symptoms to pass.

In the UK, Wegovy oral tablets have been approved for weight loss and weight management in eligible adults. Some cardiovascular evidence for semaglutide comes from dedicated outcome trials with injectable semaglutide, but cardiovascular outcome benefits should not be assumed for Wegovy tablets unless they are included in the authorised product information.

Weight loss trials may show improvements in risk markers such as body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure or blood glucose measures, but these are not the same as proven reductions in heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death. Patients with cardiovascular disease should discuss weight-management treatment options with their prescriber.

The current clinical pharmacokinetic studies have not shown that semaglutide reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills tested in clinical studies.

However, two practical considerations are worth being aware of:

• Diarrhoea and vomiting are common side effects of Wegovy tablets, particularly during the early weeks of treatment or following dose increases. Severe diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours, or vomiting within three hours of taking your contraceptive pill, can reduce the absorption of the pill and may reduce its effectiveness. In these cases, follow the missed pill rules in the patient information leaflet of your contraception and consider an additional non-oral method (such as condoms) until your symptoms improve.
• The 30-minute fasting window after taking the Wegovy pill means that if you take a daily oral contraceptive in the morning, you will need to plan the timing of both medications. The contraceptive pill should not be taken within the 30-minute window following the Wegovy pill.

Keep your Wegovy tablets in their original packaging to protect them from moisture. Store at room temperature between 20°C and 25°C, in a dry place away from direct sunlight.

Avoid storing the tablets in the bathroom or other locations where humidity may be high, as moisture can affect tablet integrity. Keep the medication out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use Wegovy tablets past the expiry date printed on the packaging.

Unlike the Wegovy injection, which requires refrigeration before first use, Wegovy tablets do not need to be refrigerated.

Most side effects of Wegovy pills are mild to moderate and tend to subside as the body adjusts to the medication, particularly during the early weeks of treatment and following each dose increase.

Several practical steps may help:

• Follow the dose titration schedule, as the dose escalation is designed to give the body time to adapt to the treatment.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals during the early weeks of the treatment rather than large meals.
• Limit high-fat, fried or rich foods initially, as these foods can worsen nausea.
• Stay well hydrated by drinking water throughout the day, particularly if you experience diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Avoid lying down immediately after eating, as this can worsen reflux and indigestion.
• If nausea is persistent, speak to your prescriber, as in some cases they may recommend staying on a lower dose for longer before continuing the escalation.

There is no specific contraindication to drinking alcohol while taking Wegovy pills, but moderation is recommended for several reasons.

Alcohol can worsen the gastrointestinal side effects that are common during treatment with Wegovy, including nausea, vomiting and indigestion. Alcohol can affect blood glucose control, particularly in people with diabetes. Semaglutide alone is not usually associated with low blood sugar, but the risk of hypoglycaemia can increase when it is used with insulin or sulfonylureas.

Alcohol is also high in calories and can affect appetite regulation, which may work against the weight loss goals of treatment. If you do choose to drink alcohol, NHS guidance on alcohol intake (no more than 14 units per week, spread across the week) is a sensible reference point.

• Phase 3 OASIS 4 trial: oral semaglutide 25mg in adults with overweight or obesity, New England Journal of Medicine. [Accessed June 2026]
• Wegovy tablets prescribing information, US Food and Drug Administration, December 2025. [Accessed June 2026]
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). [Accessed June 2026]
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). [Accessed June 2026]
• Wegovy 0.25mg to 2.4mg FlexTouch solution for injection, Summary of Product Characteristics, electronic medicines compendium. [Accessed June 2026]
• STEP UP trial, The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2025. [Accessed June 2026]
• SURMOUNT-1 trial, New England Journal of Medicine, 2022. [Accessed June 2026]