The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially approved Wegovy in a new oral pill form, marking a major breakthrough in the treatment of obesity in the United States.
The approval is being widely welcomed because patients will now be able to use a daily tablet instead of injections, making weight-loss treatment more accessible and convenient.
The newly approved pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Wegovy injections and Ozempic, a weekly injectable drug for diabetes management.
Clinical trial data showed that the oral Wegovy pill delivers results comparable to injections. Participants lost an average of 14% of their body weight over 64 weeks, while those on a placebo lost only about 2%.
Availability and cost
According to the manufacturer, the Wegovy pill will be available by prescription in the US from January 2026. The starting dose is expected to cost $149, with higher doses priced more. Patients with health insurance are likely to pay significantly less.
Usage guidelines
Doctors advise taking the pill on an empty stomach with a small sip of water, and avoiding food, drinks, or other medications for at least 30 minutes afterward. Similar restrictions have previously limited the popularity of Rybelsus, another oral semaglutide-based diabetes drug.
Boost to the obesity drug market
The FDA approval is expected to intensify competition in the obesity treatment market. Another US pharmaceutical company is reportedly seeking approval for an experimental oral drug, Orforgliperone, by the summer.
According to a report by the US research organization FF, around one in eight adults in the United States is currently using a GLP-1 medication, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, highlighting the rapid growth of this class of drugs.
