What is the Wegovy pill?
The Wegovy pill is a daily tablet that contains the drug semaglutide, the same medication found in injectable Wegovy.
It works in the same way as the injection: mimicking the GLP-1 hormone our gut releases after a meal, which reduces appetite and slows digestion.1
People often describe this effect as ‘quieting the food noise’, the constant background thoughts about food that ease with a GLP-1 medication.
Instead of a weekly injection, you swallow the tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with a small amount of water.
Each tablet contains an absorption enhancer called SNAC (salcaprozate sodium). SNAC protects the semaglutide from stomach acid and helps it cross the stomach lining into the bloodstream.3
The pill comes in four strengths: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg. You start on the lowest dose and increase every 30 days over a 12-week escalation period, reaching the maintenance dose of 25 mg.
When will the Wegovy pill be available in the UK?
The Wegovy pill is currently only available in the U.S., where it launched in January 2026.2
Novo Nordisk submitted the 25 mg oral semaglutide formulation to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the MHRA during the second half of 2025, and MHRA approval is expected in late 2026.2
After regulatory approval, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) would need to conduct a health technology assessment before the NHS could offer it. This typically takes a further 6 to 9 months, so NHS access is more likely in 2027 at the earliest.
Private providers are likely to offer the Wegovy pill before it becomes available through the NHS. This is the path injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro both followed when they first reached the UK.
In the meantime, injectable Wegovy (2.4 mg and 7.2 mg) and injectable Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are both available in the UK through private providers and, in some cases, through the NHS.
How effective is the Wegovy pill?
The main evidence comes from the OASIS 4 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September 2025.1
OASIS 4 enrolled 307 adults living with obesity or overweight (with at least one weight-related condition) who didn’t have type 2 diabetes.
Participants received either oral semaglutide 25 mg or a placebo once daily for 71 weeks, alongside lifestyle changes, with the primary weight outcome measured at week 64.
The headline result was an average weight loss of 13.6% on oral semaglutide, compared to 2.2% on placebo.1
The proportion of participants reaching each weight-loss threshold:
| Weight loss achieved |
Wegovy pill (25 mg) |
Placebo |
| 5% or more |
76.3% |
31% |
| 10% or more |
60% |
14% |
| 15% or more |
47% |
6% |
| 20% or more |
30% |
3% |
Among participants who completed the full course at the maintenance dose, average weight loss reached 16.6%.1
OASIS 4 also reported improvements in waist circumference, HbA1c, blood lipids, and C-reactive protein, which are the cardiometabolic measures that explain why semaglutide reduces cardiovascular risk in trials of the injectable form.1
These results are broadly comparable to injectable Wegovy 2.4 mg, which produced an average weight loss of 14.9% over 68 weeks in STEP 1.4
A separate trial (OASIS 1) tested a 50 mg oral dose and found an average weight loss of 15.1%, though this dose isn’t approved.5
How the Wegovy pill compares to injectable Wegovy
|
Wegovy pill |
Injectable Wegovy (2.4 mg) |
Injectable Wegovy (7.2 mg) |
| Drug |
Semaglutide |
Semaglutide |
Semaglutide |
| How you take it |
A daily tablet on an empty stomach |
Injection once a week |
Injection once a week |
| Maintenance dose |
25 mg once a day |
2.4 mg once a week |
7.2 mg once a week |
| Average weight loss |
13.6% (OASIS 4)1 |
14.9% (STEP 1)4 |
20.7% (STEP UP)7 |
| Time to maintenance dose |
About 12 weeks |
About 16 weeks |
About 28 weeks |
| UK availability |
Not yet approved |
Available now |
Available now (MHRA approved January 2026) |
| Common side effects |
Nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting |
Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation |
Nausea, diarrhoea, constipation |
The weight loss results across formulations are broadly comparable, although the 7.2 mg injectable dose produces greater weight loss than either the pill or the 2.4 mg injection.
How much will the Wegovy pill cost in the UK?
UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet. The U.S. self-pay price gives a rough sense of how Novo Nordisk has positioned the pill against the injection, although it doesn’t translate directly to UK pricing.
Here’s how the U.S. cash prices compare across the dose-escalation schedule (as of May 2026):
| Treatment phase |
Wegovy pill dose |
Pill cash price (U.S. self-pay) |
Wegovy injection dose |
Injection cash price (U.S. self-pay) |
| Month 1 (starting) |
1.5 mg |
$149 a month |
0.25 mg |
$199 a month |
| Month 2 |
4 mg |
$149 a month |
0.5 mg |
$199 a month |
| Month 3 |
9 mg |
$299 a month |
1.0 mg |
$349 a month |
| Month 4+ (maintenance) |
25 mg |
$299 a month |
1.7 mg or 2.4 mg |
$349 a month |
These are U.S. self-pay prices only. UK pricing is set separately by Novo Nordisk and won’t track the U.S. figures directly: injectable Wegovy retails privately in the UK at around £150 to £250 a month, against a U.S. cash price closer to $1,300, so the markets price the same drug very differently.
UK pricing for the pill will depend on the price Novo Nordisk negotiates with the MHRA, and whether NICE recommends it for NHS coverage.
A £150 to £250 a month range, in line with how injectable Wegovy is currently priced privately, is the reasonable expectation once it’s available.
Wegovy pill on the NHS
NHS access to the Wegovy pill depends on two things: MHRA approval and a positive NICE recommendation.
The MHRA decides whether the medication is safe and effective enough to be prescribed in the UK. A decision is expected in late 2026.2
After MHRA approval, NICE assesses whether the NHS should fund the medication, comparing its cost against the health benefit it produces.
Injectable Wegovy took roughly 9 months from MHRA approval to a positive NICE recommendation.
If the same pattern holds, NHS access to the Wegovy pill is most likely to begin in 2027, with access often staggered by region as it rolls out through specialist weight management services.
In the meantime, injectable Wegovy is available on the NHS for adults living with obesity (or overweight with a weight-related condition) who meet the NICE eligibility criteria, typically through specialist services.
Side effects of the Wegovy pill
The side effects of the Wegovy pill are similar to those of injectable Wegovy and mostly affect the digestive system.
In OASIS 4, 74% of participants on the pill had gastrointestinal side effects, compared to 42% on placebo.1
The most common were nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting, and most cases were mild to moderate, worsening during dose increases and improving as the body adjusts.
Serious adverse events were actually less common with oral semaglutide (3.9%) than with placebo (8.8%) in OASIS 4.1
The Wegovy pill carries the same warning as injectable Wegovy about thyroid C-cell tumours, based on animal studies. This risk hasn’t been confirmed in humans, but the medication isn’t recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Taking the tablet correctly, on an empty stomach with only a small amount of water, helps absorption and may reduce stomach discomfort.
How to take the Wegovy pill
The Wegovy pill needs a specific daily routine to work properly.
Semaglutide is a peptide, a chain of amino acids that would normally be broken down by stomach acid before it could be absorbed. The SNAC enhancer in each tablet helps prevent this, but only when the stomach is empty.3
The daily routine:
- Take one tablet first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach
- Swallow the tablet whole with no more than half a glass of plain water (up to 120 ml)
- Don’t use any other liquid besides water
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, or taking other oral medications
- Don’t crush, split, or chew the tablet
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose the following day as normal. Don’t take two tablets in one day.
Some people find that a weekly injection slots into their routine more easily than remembering to take a pill every day, on an empty stomach, before the rest of the day starts.
What the 30-minute fast means for other medications you take
The 30-minute fasting window applies to other oral medications, too, not just food. This is most relevant for medications that are themselves taken in the morning on an empty stomach:
- Levothyroxine (for hypothyroidism): the standard advice is to take it on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before food or other tablets. Combining it with Wegovy requires prescriber input on the order to protect the absorption of both medications.
- Oral HRT and the combined contraceptive pill: GLP-1 medications can slow stomach emptying, which may reduce absorption of other oral medications. Use additional contraception if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea.
- Warfarin and other anticoagulants: the fasting window isn’t the main concern, but rapid changes in food intake and weight while taking a GLP-1 medication can affect how warfarin works. If you take warfarin, you’ll need closer INR monitoring during the first few months.
Talk to your prescriber before starting if you take any daily oral medication. The 30-minute window can usually be planned around, but it’s worth getting the timing right from the start.
Wegovy pill vs Rybelsus
The Wegovy pill and Rybelsus both contain oral semaglutide, but they’re different products approved for different purposes at different doses.
Rybelsus (up to 14 mg) is licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and is available on the NHS.
The Wegovy pill (25 mg) is licensed in the U.S. specifically for weight management at a higher dose, and isn’t yet available in the UK.
At Rybelsus doses, weight loss is modest, typically 2 to 4 kg over 6 to 12 months in type 2 diabetes trials.
The higher 25 mg dose in the Wegovy pill is what produces the 13.6% average weight loss reported in OASIS 4.1
If you’re already on Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes, the Wegovy pill isn’t an additional treatment you can combine it with. They’re the same drug at different doses, and a switch would need prescriber input.
Wegovy pill alternatives in the UK
While the Wegovy pill is in regulatory review, the GLP-1 medications currently licensed in the UK for weight loss are:
- Injectable Wegovy 2.4 mg: once-a-week injection. Average weight loss of 14.9% over 68 weeks in STEP 1.4
- Injectable Wegovy 7.2 mg: higher-dose injection, MHRA-approved January 2026. Average weight loss of 20.7% over 72 weeks in STEP UP.7
- Injectable Mounjaro (tirzepatide): once-a-week injection. Average weight loss of 22.5% at the 15 mg dose in SURMOUNT-1.
Another oral option, Foundayo (orforglipron), was FDA-approved in April 2026 and is in MHRA review.
Foundayo is the first non-peptide oral GLP-1, so it doesn’t need the fasting window.
UK availability is expected in 2027. For a side-by-side comparison, see our guide on the Wegovy pill vs Foundayo.
Who might benefit from the Wegovy pill?
The Wegovy pill could be useful for people who’ve avoided GLP-1 treatment because they’re uncomfortable with injections.
Needle aversion is a common reason people delay starting a GLP-1 medication, and an oral alternative removes that barrier.
It may also suit people who travel frequently and find a daily tablet easier to manage than carrying injection pens that may need refrigeration.
For people who are already managing well on injectable Wegovy or Mounjaro, there may be no good reason to switch.
The daily fasting window and 30-minute wait before eating may feel less convenient than a weekly injection.
For people who’d prefer an oral medication without the fasting rules, Foundayo is likely to be the better fit once it reaches the UK.
Want to be told when the Wegovy pill reaches the UK? Join our oral GLP-1 waiting list above, and we’ll get in touch as soon as it’s available through Second Nature.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Wegovy pill as effective as the injection?
Clinical trial results suggest the weight loss is broadly comparable with the 2.4 mg dose of injectable Wegovy.
The pill achieved an average weight loss of 13.6% over 64 weeks in OASIS 4,1 while injectable Wegovy 2.4 mg achieved 14.9% over 68 weeks in STEP 1.4
Among participants who completed the full course of the pill, the average weight loss was 16.6%.1
Can you get the Wegovy pill in the UK?
Not yet. As of May 2026, the Wegovy pill is only available in the U.S. Novo Nordisk submitted it for regulatory review with the MHRA and the EMA in the second half of 2025, and UK approval is expected in late 2026.2
What doses does the Wegovy pill come in?
The pill comes in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg strengths. Treatment starts at 1.5 mg and increases every 30 days (if needed) until it reaches the 25 mg maintenance dose at around 12 weeks.
Will the Wegovy pill be available on the NHS?
This depends on MHRA approval followed by a NICE health technology assessment.
If it follows a similar path to injectable Wegovy, NHS access is most likely to begin in 2027. Private providers are likely to offer it sooner.
Is there a Mounjaro pill?
No. Tirzepatide, the drug in Mounjaro, isn’t available as a tablet. Its molecular structure makes it difficult to formulate as an oral medication.
Eli Lilly has instead developed orforglipron (Foundayo), a separate oral GLP-1 medication that was approved by the FDA in April 2026.
Can you switch from injectable Wegovy to the pill?
This would need to be discussed with your prescriber. The two formulations use different doses and schedules, daily versus weekly, so switching needs clinical guidance on timing and dose adjustment.
How much will the Wegovy pill cost in the UK?
UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed. In the U.S., the launch price is around $149 a month for the starting dose.
A £150 to £250 a month range, in line with privately injecting Wegovy, is a reasonable expectation once it’s available.
What are the side effects of the Wegovy pill?
The most common side effects are nausea, diarrhoea, and vomiting.
In OASIS 4, 74% of participants experienced gastrointestinal side effects, compared to 42% on placebo.1
Most cases were mild to moderate and improved as the body adjusted during the dose-escalation phase.
Take home message
The Wegovy pill is the first oral GLP-1 medication approved specifically for weight loss.
Trial results show weight-loss results broadly comparable to injectable Wegovy 2.4 mg, making it a practical alternative for people who prefer tablets over injections.
The pill isn’t available in the UK yet, but regulatory review is underway, and MHRA approval is expected in late 2026. NHS access is most likely in 2027, with private providers offering it sooner.
If you’d like to be notified when oral semaglutide is available in the UK, you can join our waiting list at the top of the page.
In the meantime, injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro are both available in the UK and are supported by strong evidence for weight loss.
Second Nature’s published research shows that members taking semaglutide alongside dietitian-led behaviour change support achieved an average of 19.1% weight loss at 12 months, with 77.7% achieving 10% weight loss or more.6
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
References
- Wharton, S., et al. (2025). Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 393(11), 1077-1087.
- Novo Nordisk. (2025). Wegovy pill approved in the U.S. as first oral GLP-1 for weight management. Press release, 22 December 2025.
- Buckley, S.T., et al. (2018). Transcellular stomach absorption of a derivatized glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Science Translational Medicine, 10(467).
- Wilding, J.P., et al. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002.
- Knop, F.K., et al. (2023). Oral semaglutide 50 mg taken once per day in adults with overweight or obesity (OASIS 1). The Lancet, 402(10403), 705-719.
- Richards, R., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered GLP-1RA-Supported Specialist Weight Management Program in Adults Living With Obesity: Retrospective Service Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e72577.
- Aronne, L.J., et al. (2025). Once-weekly semaglutide 7.2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
