December 23, 2025 — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s widely used weight loss drug, marking the first oral GLP-1 medication cleared for obesity management.
About the Wegovy Pill
- Drug Class: GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Form: Oral tablet (daily dosing)
- Other Approved GLP-1s: Injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound
- Mechanism: Originally developed for diabetes, GLP-1 drugs regulate appetite and blood sugar, resulting in significant weight loss.
Clinical Effectiveness
Phase 3 trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed:
- Highest dose users lost 16.6% of body weight over 64 weeks
- Placebo group lost only 2.2%
- Comparable to injectable Wegovy (≈15% weight loss in 68 weeks)
Adherence is critical: the pill must be taken on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, with no more than 4 ounces of water. Inconsistent timing reduces effectiveness, with trial participants losing an average of 13.6% when doses were missed.
Side Effects
- Most common: gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting
- Oral formulation may trigger more intense nausea due to higher stomach exposure
- Similar challenges to injectables remain, including tolerability and adherence
Availability and Cost
- Expected widely in January 2026
- Must be taken daily, unlike weekly injections
- Pricing not fully disclosed, but expected to be cheaper than injections
- Novo Nordisk reached a deal with the Trump administration to sell the lowest dose at $149/month for out-of-pocket patients
Comparison with Other GLP-1 Drugs
- Eli Lilly’s Zepbound injection: 22.5% average weight loss over 72 weeks
- Lilly’s retatrutide injection: 24% weight loss over 48 weeks (not yet approved)
- Wegovy pill: comparable to Lilly’s oral orforglipron (~10.5% weight loss over 72 weeks)
Experts note that while the pill broadens patient options, real-world effectiveness will depend heavily on adherence and timing. Oral formulations are easier to manufacture than injectables, which may reduce the risk of supply shortages that affected Wegovy in the past.
