In a significant move for obesity treatment, Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched its Wegovy weight loss pills for sale in the United States for the very first time. The oral medication, which received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 22 December, became available to self-paying patients from 5 January 2026.
Pricing and Dosage Details
The company announced on Monday that it will offer two lower-dose versions of the pill—1.5 milligram and 4 milligram strengths—at a cost of $149 per month. From the same launch date, higher doses of 9 milligram and 25 milligram will be available for $299 per month. Notably, the price for the 4 milligram dose is scheduled to increase to $199 per month from 15 April.
This pricing structure positions the pills as a potentially more accessible alternative to injectable weight loss drugs, which can often cost over $1,000 monthly. The launch marks a pivotal moment, giving Novo Nordisk an advantage as it competes with rival Eli Lilly in the lucrative obesity drug market.
A New Era in Obesity Medication
The FDA's green light for the pill version of Wegovy is historic, representing the first time a daily oral medication has been approved specifically to treat obesity. The pills contain semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the injectable forms of Wegovy and the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic. Novo Nordisk already markets an oral semaglutide for diabetes under the brand name Rybelsus.
Industry experts believe this shift from injection to pill could dramatically widen the adoption of GLP-1 class drugs, helping to combat chronic obesity on a global scale. David Moore, executive vice president of Novo Nordisk's U.S. operations, highlighted the breakthrough, stating the pill offers "injectable-like efficacy in a once-daily pill." He noted this is a substantial change from previous options and addresses barriers like needle aversion and complex insurance hurdles associated with injections.
Medical Community Reaction and Future Impact
The medical community has welcomed the development as a crucial expansion of treatment tools. Dr. Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist who runs a weight loss clinic in Cary, North Carolina, told NBC News the approval is "a meaningful step forward in the field." He added that while the pill won't replace injectables, it "broadens our tool kit in an important way."
Dr. McGowan also pointed to the psychological and practical benefits of a pill format, stating, "Pills are familiar, non-intimidating and fit more naturally into most people’s routines." The introduction of a more affordable and convenient option is expected to open up this category of highly effective drugs to a much broader patient demographic who may have previously avoided treatment due to cost, insurance issues, or a fear of needles.
