New Wegovy Pill for Weight Loss
In December 2025, the FDA approved a pill version of Wegovy - marking the first oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist specifically indicated for weight management. This creates a new option for adults with obesity or overweight and associated health risks, as an alternative to the weekly injectable form of Wegovy. This announcement may be confusing, as the same drug - semaglutide - is FDA-approved under different names and formulations. To clarify, Ozempic, Wegovy (both oral and injectable), and the Rybellus oral pill all contain the same active drug - semaglutide.
The introduction of another oral GLP-1 agent acknowledges a range of patient preferences: needle aversion, lifestyle constraints, or travel-related concerns.
Recent FDA Approval of the Wegovy Pill
In December 2025, the FDA approved the Wegovy® pill, a once-daily oral formulation of semaglutide, for chronic weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 or ≥ 27 with at least one weight-related comorbidity. An oral form of GLP-1 semaglutide has already been available for the treatment of diabetes (Rybellus pill). The Wegovy pill is the first time this GLP-1 oral pill is specifically approved to treat obesity.
This approval was grounded in the OASIS 4 phase III clinical trial, which demonstrated that, when taken daily alongside diet and exercise, participants on the Wegovy pill had significant weight loss compared to placebo over 64 weeks.
Wegovy Pill vs. Injection: What’s the Difference?
Although both the Wegovy pill and the injectable Wegovy contain semaglutide and target the same biological pathways, patient preference and lifestyle may impact medication choice.
Effectiveness
Comparable weight loss: Clinical data show that the oral Wegovy pill can produce meaningful weight loss (around 14–17% of body weight in ideal conditions), roughly in the same ballpark as the injectable form.
Adherence: Some emerging real-world data suggest that adherence may be lower with a daily pill than with a weekly injection, likely because of the more frequent dosing and specific administration requirements (see below)requ. This is an important consideration as consistent dosing is important for successful weight loss.
Wegovy Pill - Time of Onset and Dosing
Wegovy Pill: Taken once daily on an empty stomach with water, followed by a ~30-minute wait before eating or taking other medications. This routine aims to optimize absorption but can feel demanding for some.
Wegovy Injection: Administered once weekly, with no eating or timing rules. The convenience of weekly dosing may support long-term adherence for certain people.
Both formulations follow a gradual dose escalation to improve tolerability and minimize gastrointestinal side effects, a hallmark of semaglutide therapies. You can learn more on our Side Effects of Semaglutide blog.
Wegovy Pill Cost Considerations
Oral Wegovy pill: Self-pay prices often start around $149/month at lower doses, increasing to near $299/month at higher doses; if patients meet insurance requirements, they may pay less.
Injectable Wegovy: List prices tend to be higher, and out-of-pocket costs vary widely depending on insurance coverage.
Wegovy Pill vs. Wegovy Injection
Active Ingredient
Wegovy Pill (Oral Semaglutide): Semaglutide
Wegovy Injection (Weekly Semaglutide): Semaglutide
Form & Administration
Pill: Daily oral tablet, taken on an empty stomach with specific timing before food/other meds
Injection: Weekly subcutaneous injection in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm
Dosing Frequency
Pill: Once daily
Injection: Once weekly
Effectiveness (Weight Loss)
Pill: Comparable weight loss seen in trials; often ~16–17% average over 64 weeks
Injection: ~15–17% average weight loss over ~68 weeks
Common Side Effects
Pill: Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, bloating, dizziness, upset stomach, low blood sugar, gas
Injection: Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, headache, fatigue, dizziness, belching, low blood sugar
Side Effect Differences
Pill: No injection-site reactions; similar GI profiles
Injection: May have injection-site reactions (redness, irritation) same GI effects
Contraindications (Who Should Not Use)
Pill: • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2; • Known hypersensitivity/allergy to semaglutide or excipients; • Not established as safe/effective in people <18 years
Injection: • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2; • Known hypersensitivity/allergy to semaglutide/excipients; • Not established as safe/effective <18 years years
Key Warnings & Precautions
Pill: • Possible risk of thyroid C-cell tumors (observed in rodents; unknown human relevance) • Severe GI disease (e.g., gastroparesis) may worsen; use caution • May delay gastric emptying, affecting absorption of other oral drugs
Injection: • Same thyroid C-cell tumor risk warning • Acute pancreatitis reported with GLP-1 RAs; discontinue if suspected • Acute gallbladder disease (gallstones/cholecystitis) risk increased • Acute kidney injury due to dehydration from GI side effects
Availability: When and Where to Get Wegovy
The manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, began rollout in early January 2026, with the 1.5 mg starting dose hitting pharmacies and telehealth platforms around the U.S.
How to Get the New Wegovy Pill
A healthcare provider familiar with GLP-1 therapies can assess whether the Wegovy pill is appropriate based on medical history, BMI, comorbidities, and previous weight-loss experiences.
Since this is a prescription medication, ongoing clinical monitoring - especially during dose escalation - is recommended to optimize results and manage side effects.
Final Thoughts
The biological effects of semaglutide - whether oral or injectable - are just one piece of a weight-management strategy. Nutritional patterns, physical activity, mitigating muscle loss with weight loss, behavioral support, sleep quality, stress management, and underlying metabolic health remain central pillars of sustainable change.
It’s important to work with a healthcare practitioner who understands medical weight loss therapies. At KPM, we assist patients in addressing all of the forces that may impact weight and metabolic health including genetics, lifestyle, aging and hormone health. You can learn more on our Medical Weight Loss page.
