The UK's medicines regulator has approved the country's first GLP-1 weight loss pill, marking a significant step in obesity treatment. The Wegovy (semaglutide) tablet, taken once daily, is intended for obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.
Eligibility and Dosage
Individuals who are overweight and have a related condition such as high blood pressure also qualify for the medication. The initial dose is 1.5mg, which increases to 4mg, 9mg, and 25mg. Patients must remain on each dosage level for at least one month before progressing to the next.
Those currently receiving private treatment with a 2.4mg Wegovy injection once weekly can switch directly to 25mg tablets once daily, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The medication is available on prescription and will be accessible privately within weeks.
NHS Evaluation Pending
The tablet has not yet been evaluated for use on the NHS. Julian Beach, executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, said: "Having met the MHRA's rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management."
How to Take the Tablet
The Wegovy tablet, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, should be swallowed whole on an empty stomach with a small amount of water after a fasting period of at least eight hours. Neither food nor drink should be consumed for at least 30 minutes afterwards, as this may affect absorption.
Clinical Trial Results
The MHRA approved the medication based on evidence from a clinical study where participants received 25mg daily alongside dietary changes and physical activity. After 64 weeks, those taking the tablet experienced an average body weight reduction of 17% when they continued treatment, compared to 3% for those receiving a placebo.
When all trial participants were counted—regardless of whether they completed treatment—the mean weight reduction was 14%. The most common side effects are digestive issues including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting.
Industry and Expert Reactions
Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager at Novo Nordisk, commented: "This marks an important milestone for obesity care in the UK. For the first time, people living with obesity have access to a GLP-1 treatment in a daily pill, allowing them the choice and flexibility of oral treatment to support their long-term weight management."
Professor Naveed Sattar from the University of Glasgow stated: "The approval of the once-daily oral form of Wegovy (semaglutide) is welcome news for people living with obesity, particularly those who would prefer not to use injections. Expanding the range of effective treatments is important in helping people sustainably reduce caloric intakes within an increasingly obesogenic environment."
James O'Loan, chief executive of Chemist4U, said: "The launch of oral weight loss medications is set to be game-changing for UK patients. We've already seen record demand ahead of the expected launch of a Wegovy pill in the coming months, with over 10,000 people joining our waiting list for a consultation."
Dr Kieran Seyan, chief medical officer at Pharmacy2U, welcomed the development, stating: "As public interest in medicated weight management grows, it is increasingly important that patients use reputable clinical services rather than unregulated online sources or counterfeit products."
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), described the announcement as "very significant" and said it "will have a major impact on people trying to achieve a healthy weight through weight loss treatment." He noted concerns about a "growing black market for counterfeit weight loss treatments, with a tablet form of medication potentially easier for criminals to counterfeit."
He added: "Patients must only ever obtain weight loss medication properly prescribed and dispensed by a regulated pharmacy. Unregulated providers may be selling faked medicines or medicines that do not meet the strict safety standards we have in the UK."
