Superdrug has announced the launch of Wegovy weight loss pills in the UK, becoming the first high street healthcare provider to offer the medication in tablet form. The pills, approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) last month, are now available through Superdrug Online Doctor at a starting price of £79 per month for new patients.
Availability and Pricing
The tablet-form weight loss service will start from £79 for new patients, with Superdrug Health & Beautycard holders earning 5x points on purchases, worth up to £15. The medication is available now via the Superdrug Online Doctor website, and will also be accessible in over 160 pharmacies and more than 85 nurse services, combining digital convenience with face-to-face support.
Dr Clair Grainger, GP at Superdrug Online Doctor, said: “Following regulatory approval, we’ve seen strong interest in our information register. With prescribing now underway, people can now complete their consultation and access treatment if clinically appropriate, whether that’s online, in pharmacy, or in clinic. Obesity is a complex medical issue, and any treatment will only be prescribed following a thorough clinical assessment against eligibility criteria.”
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Wegovy tablet, patients must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above. Alternatively, they can be overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. A full clinical assessment with a prescriber is required to access the medication.
Dosage and Administration
The starting dose for the semaglutide tablet is 1.5 mg once daily, increasing to 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg, with a minimum duration of one month at each dose level. Patients currently treated privately with a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection once weekly can be transitioned straight to semaglutide 25 mg tablets once daily.
According to the MHRA, the tablet should be taken whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours, with a sip of water. After taking it, no food or drink should be consumed for at least 30 minutes, as eating or drinking less than 30 minutes after taking the tablet lowers its absorption.
How It Works
The MHRA explained: “Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which is released by the body after eating. Semaglutide acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings. As a result, it can help people eat less and support weight reduction alongside appropriate diet and lifestyle measures.”
Side Effects and Safety
The most common side effects of the medicine are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting. The MHRA stated that it will keep the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide under close review. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect should talk to their doctor, pharmacist, or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.
