FDA Approves Oral Version of Wegovy, First GLP-1 Pill Approved Specifically for Weight Management
Update: FDA Approves Wegovy Pill, First Oral GLP-1 Specifically Approved for Weight Management
Just before the end of 2025, the idea of taking a GLP-1 pill instead of an injection has come much closer to reality. On December 22, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the oral version of this drug. wegovy (semaglutide) is a weight management medication currently available only as an injection.
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The Wegovy pill contains 25 mg of semgalutide and must be taken once a day. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the drug, said in a statement: newsletter He said the Wegovy pill will be available from January 2026.
“As the first oral GLP-1 therapy for people living with overweight or obesity, the Wegovy pill offers a convenient new treatment option that can help patients begin or continue their weight loss journey,” said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk. newsletter about approval. The company has also submitted the Wegovy pill to European regulatory authorities for possible approval.
The Wegovy pill is the second GLP-1 pill approved by the federal agency, but the first pill approved specifically for weight management. In 2019, the FDA approved Rybelsus, another oral GLP-1 manufactured by Novo Nordisk, to treat Type 2 diabetes (this fall, the agency also approved Rybelsus reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems in people with Type 2 diabetes).
The approval came after the results of a clinical trial funded by the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk. showed daily pills are as effective as the injectable version of Wegovy for weight loss. According to trial data, after 71 weeks, people taking the Wegovy pill lost about 13.6% of their total body weight, compared to people taking a placebo who lost about 2% of their total body weight. Most people who took the Wegovy pill during the trial experienced similar side effects as those who injected GLP-1. gastrointestinal problems like nausea.
More oral GLP-1 likely on the way: Eli Lilly, the company that makes Zepbound and Mounjaro, recently sent Its own semaglutide pill, called orforgliprone, is up for FDA approval.
Wondering what all this means? Read on for everything you need to know about oral GLP-1s.
Update from Helen Carefoot
Are There Other Oral Formulations of GLP-1s?
There are currently two oral versions of GLP-1 on the market: Rybelsus and the Wegovy pill. FDA approved the drug 2019 Also for the treatment of type 2 diabetes off-label prescription for weight loss.
Also in April Eli Lilly announced The oral formulation of GLP-1, or forgliprone, has performed well in clinical trials for both type 2 diabetes and weight control, he said. This month, the drugmaker submitted orforgliprone for weight management to global regulators. It is also planned to be offered for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in 2026.
In addition to chronic weight management in adults living with obesity, oral Wegovy It has also been shown in clinical studies to help overweight individuals with one or more comorbid conditions and to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and established cardiovascular disease.
Why Might Some People Prefer to Take the Oral Version of Wegovy Instead of Injection?
There are many reasons why someone might decide to take an oral formulation of GLP-1 like Wegovy, but the first and foremost is the fact that many people absolutely dislike injections.
Doctor, obesity expert and medical consultant Dr. “Up to 25% of patients report anxiety or hesitation regarding the injection,” said Michael Snyder, MD. FutureHealth. “The oral version eliminates this friction, making it easier for patients to begin and continue treatment.”
She also notes that for people managing chronic conditions, “a pill feels more familiar and less medicalized; This is something that can significantly increase medication adherence and lead to better results over time, he notes. “By eliminating barriers such as needle avoidance, oral GLP-1s have the potential to bring this powerful treatment to a broader population and help them maintain success with the right lifestyle support,” Synder said.
Cost was also cited as a major selling point for oral GLP-1s Dr. Wiljon BeltreHe is a board-certified bariatric surgeon and founder of Beltre Bariatrics. “Oral medications tend to cost less compared to injections, which require needles and syringes to administer,” he said.
Additionally, for patients who are often sensitive to new medications, especially those with gastrointestinal issues, a daily oral option may provide greater control. Dr. Rebecca EmchVice president of pharmacy and medical operations at Eden. With an oral formulation, it is easier for your doctor to adjust the amount you take daily to help manage side effects. “The half-life of oral GLP-1s has traditionally been shorter than the half-life of injectables, which means they will be cleared from your system faster, which can allow for tighter control if you experience side effects,” Emch explained.
Does the Oral Version of Wegovy Work as Well as Injections?
Probably. Outcomes of Oral Semaglutide Treatment Effect in Persons with Obesity (OASIS) 1 trial Discussed in an editorial published in August 2025 inside JAMA Internal Medicine found that people taking oral GLP-1 only for obesity, not diabetes, experienced “clinically meaningful” weight loss. These results reinforce the idea that oral pills may be an effective way to reap the benefits of these medications without injections.
But according to Doctor Jennifer BrownMore knowledge is needed for a physician who is board certified in obesity medicine and family medicine. A. 2024 trial Oral use of Wegovy at a daily dose of 25 mg showed an average weight loss of 13.6%. try differentBrown noted that the injectable Wegovy showed an average weight loss of around 15%. Although a higher oral dose of Wegovy (50 mg) was as effective as injectable Wegovy, side effects were significantly worse compared to the 25 mg oral dose. “There are no direct comparison studies yet between oral Wegovy and injectable Wegovy,” he said.
It should also be noted that oral medications and injectable substances enter the body through different routes. “Injected GLP-1s bypass the intestines and enter directly into the bloodstream, which is part of what makes them so effective,” Snyder said. “Oral versions should survive the digestive process and still induce similar appetite-regulating and metabolic effects.”
What Does Having an Oral Wegovy Option Mean for Midlife Women?
Having the oral version of Wegovy may help midlife women cope with the extra weight management challenges they face. “For women in midlife, especially women going through perimenopause and menopause, weight gain isn’t just about lifestyle choices,” Snyder explained. “It is linked to hormonal changes, insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and the natural decrease in metabolic rate.” This leaves women feeling stuck even when they’re doing “everything right” to stay healthy.
Additionally, Wegovy’s oral formulation will expand weight management options for midlife women. “Compared with injections, Oral Wegovy offers midlife women a more convenient way to lose weight—no injections, no cooling, no weekly phone alarms, and more control,” Brown said.
