A new weight-loss pill is set to become available following approval from UK health regulators.
The drug, an oral version of Wegovy, has been licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), paving the way for it to be prescribed by GPs and pharmacists across the country.
The once-daily pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the injectable Wegovy treatments already in use, and works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate appetite and food intake.
Unlike the injectable form, the pill uses a special SNAC coating to ensure it survives stomach acid and can be effectively absorbed into the bloodstream.
Clinical trials have shown promising results for the treatment. In the global OASIS-4 study, adults living with overweight or obesity were given a 25mg daily dose of oral semaglutide for 64 weeks.
Those who adhered to treatment lost, on average, 16.6 per cent of their total body weight, compared to just 2.7 per cent in the placebo group.
Around 87 per cent of participants lost at least five per cent of their starting weight, and roughly one in three achieved a 20 per cent reduction or more.
While the drug performs a similar function to its injectable counterpart, there are key differences in how it is taken.
The pill must be swallowed whole on an empty stomach with a small glass of water (no more than 120ml). Users are then advised to wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medicines.
By contrast, the injection can be taken at any time of day and is not affected by food or drink.
Storage requirements also differ. The tablets can be kept at room temperature in blister packs, while the injectable pens require refrigeration.
Experts from Well Pharmacy explained: "Semaglutide, the active ingredient inside Wegovy, was initially developed by the Danish multinational pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk to treat type 2 diabetes.
"It works exactly the same way as the Wegovy injection, namely mimicking a natural hormone your body produces after you eat, called GLP-1.
"However, in pill form, it’s arguably far easier and more accessible, especially for those who may not like the idea of having to use an injectable."
Pricing for the oral treatment in the UK has not yet been confirmed, but industry experts expect it to be similar to the existing Wegovy injection, based on US pricing models.
In the US, the official list price for the tablets and injections is the same—around $1,350 (roughly £1,050) for a 30-day supply before discounts.
In the UK, mid-dose tablets could cost between £140 to £190 per month, rising above £200 for higher-strength maintenance doses.
The safety profile of the oral treatment is broadly consistent with other GLP-1 medications, although it is not without side effects.
In the OASIS-4 trial, around 74 per cent of participants experienced gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea, or constipation, compared to 42 per cent of those taking a placebo.
Most side effects were mild to moderate, occurred during the dose-escalation phase, and improved over time.
The new pill is expected to become available in the UK in the coming weeks.
