A top pharmacist has answered common questions about the new weight loss drug. Mital Thakrar, head of private services at Well Pharmacy, shared key information patients should be aware of after the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss was approved by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The green light means many patients could swap from weekly injections to a daily tablet within months.
What is the Wegovy weight loss pill?
The Wegovy pill contains the same active ingredient used in the brand's weight loss jabs, which have soared in popularity in recent years. Mr Thakrar explained that semaglutide was initially developed by Novo Nordisk to treat type 2 diabetes. He added: "It works exactly the same way as the Wegovy injection, namely mimicking a natural hormone your body produces after you eat, called GLP-1. However, in pill form, it's arguably far easier and more accessible, especially for those who may not like the idea of having to use an injectable."
How does a pill replace an injection?
An injected drug can enter the bloodstream directly, while a tablet must navigate the human digestive system. Mr Thakrar said: "To stop the tablet from being destroyed by the stomach acid, the Wegovy pill uses a special protective coating called SNAC. Once swallowed, this coating shields the tablet from your stomach acid, allowing it to safely pass through the stomach wall and into the bloodstream. This is why it's incredibly important to take the tablet whole rather than crushing or halving it."
How does the Wegovy pill help you lose weight?
Like other injected GLP-1 drugs, the pill helps regulate appetite and hunger in three ways. First, it stops "food noise" by speaking to the appetite centres in your brain to turn down hunger and reduce intrusive cravings. Secondly, it helps you feel fuller for longer by slowing down digestion. Finally, the pill helps prevent sugar crashes by managing blood sugar levels smoothly, minimising spikes and afternoon cravings for high-sugar snacks.
How much weight can you lose?
The OASIS-4 global clinical trial tested the pill in 307 adults who were overweight or obese. Participants took either 25 mg oral semaglutide or a placebo once per day alongside lifestyle intervention for around 64 weeks. Mr Thakrar said the results were striking: people taking the daily tablet lost an average of 16.6% of their total body weight when adhering to treatment, compared to around 2.7% in the placebo group. Around 87.3% of people on the pill lost at least 5% of their starting weight, and roughly one in three achieved 20% or more weight loss.
How do you take the Wegovy pill?
Mr Thakrar explained three golden rules: take it on an empty stomach first thing in the morning after an eight-hour fast; swallow the tablet whole with a small sip of plain water, not more than half a glass; and wait at least 30 minutes before having breakfast, coffee, tea, or other daily medications. This gives the pill the best chance to work uninterrupted.
Are there side effects?
Like the injectable form, the pill can have side effects. The OASIS-4 study found gastrointestinal adverse effects affected around 74% of participants taking the Wegovy pill, compared to around 42% taking a placebo. These were generally mild to moderate, most occurred during dose escalation, and reduced over time. Common side effects include nausea, mild upset stomach, diarrhoea or constipation, heartburn, indigestion, and unusual tiredness.
How much will the Wegovy pill cost?
Novo Nordisk is yet to confirm the official UK retail price. In the US, the list price for a 30-day supply is around $1,350 per month, but uninsured patients pay a discounted rate of around $149 to $299 per month. Mr Thakrar said UK prices are expected to start at around the same as the lowest strength of Wegovy injection, scaling to between £140 and £190 for mid-doses and £200 or more for maximum weight-maintenance doses.
Will it be available on the NHS?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will decide whether the pill should be recommended for the NHS. Mr Thakrar said: "Private online clinics will be the quickest and most accessible option for most people. If it follows the same route as the injection, it'll likely be reserved for specialist weight management clinics for patients with severe BMIs." He added: "We know one size doesn't fit all, so offering a range of options is important."
