Wegovy pill form: Does it exist?

In this article:

• Does Wegovy come in pill form?
• Oral Rybelsus vs. Wegovy
• Compare Wegovy and Rybelsus
• Are there any oral GLP-1s for weight loss?
• Wegovy alternatives without needles

In this article

• Does Wegovy come in pill form?
• Oral Rybelsus vs. Wegovy
• Compare Wegovy and Rybelsus
• Are there any oral GLP-1s for weight loss?
• Wegovy alternatives without needles

Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription, once-weekly injected medication that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for chronic weight management when combined with diet and exercise. It is in a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), which are best known for controlling blood sugar and weight. For those who would rather avoid needles or cannot use injectable medications, oral alternatives might be more appealing. In this article, learn more about oral forms of semaglutide, how they compare to injectable Wegovy, and what alternatives may be available. 

RELATED: How much does Wegovy cost?

Does Wegovy come in pill form?

Though Wegovy only comes in the form of an injection, there is another GLP-1 drug that comes in a pill form. Rybelsus (semaglutide) is an oral medication with the same active ingredient as Wegovy, but it’s only approved to treat people with Type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise.

There may be online telehealth services that offer compounded oral semaglutide in the form of a liquid drop, tablet, or lozenge. It’s important to know that compounded medications aren’t approved by the FDA, and the FDA has warned against the use of compounded GLP-1s because of the potential risks regarding safety, effectiveness, and quality. 

Jennifer Brown, MD, board-certified obesity medicine specialist at MyObesityTeam explains why patients should be wary of compounded oral semaglutide offered online: “I generally advise patients to steer clear of compounded oral semaglutide. While it may be less expensive, it’s impossible to tell what components at what amounts are actually in the compounded version without an independent lab evaluation,” she says.

Oral Rybelsus vs. Wegovy

Rybelsus and Wegovy have the same active ingredient, semaglutide, but they’re prescribed for different conditions. As mentioned, Wegovy is prescribed for people who are managing their weight through diet and lifestyle changes. It has also been approved to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in adults with obesity or who are overweight with heart disease. Recently, Wegovy received another approval to improve liver fibrosis and reduce liver damage in adults with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

In contrast, Rybelsus is prescribed for people managing Type 2 diabetes. Using Rybelsus for weight loss is considered off-label, which can affect insurance coverage. 

How they’re taken is another difference. Rybelsus is a daily tablet taken on an empty stomach, while Wegovy is a weekly injection. “The injections can be an issue for some,” says Rani Aravamudhan, MD, Senior Medical Director at Artemis at Nomi Health. “Injectable meds are usually taken once a week, which can be convenient in some respects, but self-injections may not be easy for all,” she says. She adds that some people may not be comfortable with needles, and it takes some training and practice to do it right. 

Because oral semaglutide is absorbed differently from injectable semaglutide, patients must take Rybelsus first thing in the morning with no more than 4 ounces of water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating. “That’s why the oral version is given at a higher dose than the injection,” explains Dr. Brown. “These stricter instructions can make continuing treatment long term (adherence) harder for some patients,” adds Dr. Aravamudhan.

The required doses also differ. Wegovy comes in single-use pens ranging from 0.25 mg/0.5 mL to 2.4 mg/0.75 mL. Rybelsus comes in two formulations: R1 (3 mg, 7 mg, 14 mg) and R2 (1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg).

Side effects are similar for both, although some providers report patients experiencing more nausea and stomach cramping with the oral form.

Compare Wegovy and Rybelsus
	Wegovy (semaglutide)	Rybelsus (semaglutide)
Approved indications	Combined with a lower-calorie diet and increased physical activity, Wegovy is approved to: Reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long-term in people 12 and older with obesity or who are overweight with a weight-related comorbid condition (e.g., Type 2 diabetes, or heart disease) Reduce risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (e.g., stroke, heart attack) in adults with established cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight For the treatment of MASH in adults with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis	Improve glycemic control (blood sugar control) in adults with Type 2 diabetes
Standard (maintenance) dosage	1.7 mg or 2.4 mg	7–14 mg or 4–9 mg, depending on the formulation
Dosage instructions	Administer on the same day of the week, every week. Inject in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.	Take on an empty stomach daily in the morning with water only, up to 4 ounces. Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications.
Average retail price without insurance*	$1,841 per 4, 0.75 mL prefilled 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens of Wegovy	$1,397 per 30, 7 mg tablets of Rybelsus
SingleCare’s lowest price*	$1,225 for 4, 0.75 mL prefilled 2.4 mg/0.75 mL single-dose pens of Wegovy at CVS	$874 for 30, 7 mg tablets of Rybelsus at Kroger
Free coupons	Wegovy coupons	Rybelsus coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in zip code 23666 as of 10/20/2025. Click the coupon links to see the latest drug prices.

Are there any oral GLP-1s for weight loss?

As of this writing, there aren’t any approved oral GLP-1 weight loss drugs, but there are ongoing studies that are promising. 

An oral GLP-1 called orforglipron, being developed by drugmaker Lilly, has shown some promising results for weight loss. Compared to a placebo treatment, the daily orforglipron reduced body weight by an average of 12% after 72 weeks of treatment. Clinical trials on this drug started in 2023, and more results are expected in 2025. 

Another GLP-1 being studied for Type 2 diabetes is called danuglipron. Though not the main aim for these clinical studies, one trial published in 2023 showed that after 16 weeks of treatment, the average weight loss was 4–9 lbs on danuglipron. In April 2025, the drug company Pfizer discontinued development of the medication for weight loss.

Though Rybelsus is the first oral GLP-1 drug approved for Type 2 diabetes only, it also has some research behind its use in people managing their weight. A clinical study published in 2023 found that study subjects lost on average 15% of their body weight compared to placebo while on 50 mg, the highest dose of oral semaglutide, for 68 weeks. In April 2025, Novo Nordisk, the drug manufacturer of Wegovy and Rybelsus, announced that it was filing for FDA approval of oral semaglutide for weight loss. 

Similar to Wegovy, the most common published side effects of all these oral GLP-1s are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

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Wegovy alternatives without needles

While Rybelsus isn’t FDA approved for weight loss, there are other prescription, needle-free alternatives to Wegovy. These include:

• Contrave (naltrexone and bupropion)
• Qsymia (phentermine and topiramate extended release)
• Adipex-P (phentermine)
• Xenical (orlistat)
• Tenuate (diethylpropion)

Other oral medications for Type 2 diabetes can help someone manage their weight as well. “For patients who prefer pills, I lean toward Rybelsus or metformin. Jardiance (empagliflozin) is also a great option for diabetic patients,” she says.

Lifestyle changes should not be overlooked as effective, non-injectable alternatives. Most medical guidelines emphasize that a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity are the foundations of obesity treatment. Dr. Aravamudhan provides examples of some lifestyle changes that can be helpful for people managing chronic high weight:

• A diet high in protein with lean meats, lentils, and legumes, with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and plain yogurt
• Adequate hydration with plain water, avoiding drinks with added sugars and sweeteners
• Regular daily aerobic exercises, resistance training, and stretching
• Getting enough sleep, about 7–8 hours per night
• Learning to manage stress with proper physical and psychological tools
• Practicing mindful eating with portion control to reduce emotional eating

Other than your primary care provider or endocrinologist, it may help to manage chronic conditions like obesity with guidance from other healthcare professionals, according to Dr. Aravamudhan. Nutritionists, mental health professionals, personal trainers or exercise therapists can ensure proper outcomes and help minimize side effects and injuries. 

Ultimately, the right choices for you will depend on many factors, including your medical history, lifestyle, and healthcare team. Always talk with your healthcare provider about which treatment approach is best for you, whether it’s prescription medication, lifestyle changes, or a combination of them.