FDA approves oral Wegovy

In this article:

• What is oral Wegovy?
• Does it work?
• Why it matters
• Side effects
• Cost
• Availability

In this article

• What is oral Wegovy?
• Does it work?
• Why it matters
• Side effects
• Cost
• Availability

If your New Year’s Resolution is to lose some weight but you’ve been reluctant to try a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist because they require weekly injections, you may be in luck.

The Food and Drug Administration just approved an oral version of the popular weight loss drug Wegovy to help people with chronic weight management along with diet modifications and increased exercise. The pill version of Wegovy is the first oral GLP-1 to be FDA approved for weight management in the U.S.

What is oral Wegovy?

Wegovy is a prescription medication that contains semaglutide, a drug that mimics a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar, slow digestion, and reduce appetite, all of which can lead to weight loss.

Until now, Wegovy was only available as a once-weekly injection. The injectable version was first approved by the FDA to help people who are overweight or have obesity manage their weight, especially those with related health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or Type 2 diabetes.

In 2024 and 2025, the FDA expanded its approved uses to include reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death. It was also approved to treat a serious liver disease called metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Now, for the first time, Wegovy is available as a once-daily semaglutide pill. This provides a convenient, needle-free alternative for people who want help with weight loss.

Does oral semaglutide work?

The approval of the oral version was based on results from the OASIS 4 and SELECT 2 clinical trials. Participants who took 25 mg of oral semaglutide daily achieved weight loss results similar to those of the injectable version. Those who stayed on treatment lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight.

“As the first oral GLP-1 treatment for people living with overweight or obesity, the Wegovy pill provides patients with a new, convenient treatment option that can help patients start or continue their weight loss journey,” Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk, said in a statement heralding the approval of the oral version of Wegovy.

Why this approval matters

While the oral version of Wegovy is new, it’s not the first oral GLP-1 medication to be approved in the U.S. That title goes to Rybelsus (semaglutide), also made by Novo Nordisk, which was approved in 2019. However, Rybelsus is only approved for managing Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk, and is not indicated for weight loss.

Some doctors have prescribed Rybelsus off-label to aid in weight management, but until now, there hasn’t been an FDA-approved oral GLP-1 specifically indicated for weight loss.

This matters because the pharmaceutical industry has long struggled to create a weight-loss pill as effective as injectable GLP-1s like Wegovy and Ozempic. With this new approval, patients now have a more convenient, needle-free option that may make it easier to start or stick with treatment.

That’s especially important for people living with obesity, a condition linked to serious health risks such as:

• Heart disease and stroke
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Fatty liver disease
• Certain types of cancer
• Kidney disease
• Sleep apnea and other breathing problems

Obesity can also affect a person’s ability to stay active, socialize, or maintain emotional well-being. By supporting weight loss, GLP-1 medications like Wegovy may indirectly support brain health and aging, but more research is needed to understand the potential connection.

Wegovy pill side effects

As with any medication, it’s important to understand the possible side effects. The most common issues reported with semaglutide are digestive-related, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. More serious side effects can occur; therefore, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether oral Wegovy is right for you.

How much will oral Wegovy cost?

The cost of oral Wegovy is reported to be $149 per month’s supply for individuals paying out of pocket, which is lower than the out-of-pocket cost for injectable Wegovy. The Wegovy pill price may be lower if a person’s insurance plan provides some coverage for Wegovy. 

When will the Wegovy pill be available?

According to Novo Nordisk, the pill version of Wegovy is scheduled to become available in the U.S. in early January 2026.