First oral GLP-1 option for obesity treatment
A pill version of Wegovy is now available in the United States, offering a new oral treatment option for obesity. The medication is produced by :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} and marks the first time Americans can access Wegovy in pill form rather than through injections.
Novo Nordisk announced that the daily oral Wegovy pill is being introduced with a starting dose of 1.5 milligrams. The medication is available to self-paying patients for $149 per month. A higher 4 milligram dose is also being offered at the same price through April 15, after which the monthly cost will increase to $199.
FDA approval and competitive landscape
The pill version of Wegovy received approval from the :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} in December, clearing the way for its commercial launch. Novo Nordisk describes the product as a major step forward in obesity care, calling it the first and only GLP-1 pill approved specifically for weight loss.
Rival drugmaker :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} is also developing an oral obesity treatment. Its experimental pill, orforglipron, is still under regulatory review and has not yet been approved for use.
How the Wegovy pill works
The oral Wegovy pill contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy and Ozempic. Semaglutide works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate appetite and food intake.
According to Novo Nordisk, the pill has a safety profile similar to injectable versions of the drug. Reported side effects include nausea and diarrhea, which are common among GLP-1 treatments.
A more convenient alternative to injections
The launch of an oral Wegovy option offers a more convenient alternative for patients who are hesitant to use injections. Injectable GLP-1 drugs have dominated the weight-loss market in recent years, with surveys indicating that roughly one in eight Americans has used a GLP-1 medication for weight loss or other conditions.
As with injectable Wegovy, the pill is intended to be used alongside diet and exercise. Novo Nordisk said participants in phase 3 clinical trials lost around 14 percent of their body weight, with those who remained on treatment achieving average weight loss of about 17 percent.
Impact on the obesity treatment market
The availability of an FDA-approved oral GLP-1 drug could significantly expand access to medical weight-loss treatments in the US. By removing the need for injections, Novo Nordisk aims to reach a broader group of patients seeking effective and manageable obesity therapies.
