A DAILY weight loss pill that helped patients shed up to 20 per cent of their body weight in trials has been given the green light in the US.
The tablet, made by Danish drug giant Novo Nordisk, is branded Wegovy and contains semaglutide – the same active ingredient in the blockbuster jab version.
It’s the first pill of its kind to receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The drug can be given at a dose of up to 25mg and is designed to be taken once daily.
It’s expected to launch in the US in early January 2026.
Novo is also seeking approval for the weight loss pill from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and other regulatory authorities, having submitted applications in the second half of 2025.
The drug company said the Wegovy pill can help people shed as much weight as they would with injections.
Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk: “With today’s approval of the Wegovy pill, patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection.
“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.
“No other current oral GLP-1 treatment can match the weight loss delivered by the Wegovy pill,” Mike claimed.
Novo beat its competitor Eli Lilly to the punch, as the American drug firm’s slimming tablet orforglipron is still under review by the FDA.
Both pills are GLP-1 drugs, which work like the widely used jabs to mimic a natural hormone, dull hunger pangs and leave people feeling fuller for longer.
The FDA endorsed the Wegovy pill after reviewing data from Novo’s late-stage Oasis-4 trial.
Patients taking the 25mg Wegovy pill for 64 weeks lost an average of 16.6 per cent of their body weight.
This was compared to 2.7 per cent weight loss in participants taking placebo pills.
Around a third of the 1,300 participants lost 20 per cent or more of their body weight, Novo Nordisk added.
Adults using Wegovy jabs on average lose about 15 per cent of their body weight.
In trials, Eli Lilly’s pill was shown to help patients lose 12.4 per cent of their body weight at the end of 72 weeks.
The Wegovy pill needs to be taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other oral medication.
Meanwhile, orforglipron can be consumed at any time of the day.
Novo said its pill can act as an alternative for people who don’t fancy dealing with needles.
It may also attract patients who have less severe obesity and help expand access to GLP-1s, Novo Nordisk said.
Oral weight-loss drugs are not expected to fully replace injectables, but analysts estimate pills could capture around one-fifth share of the market by 2030, Reuters reported.
Fierce Pharma reported Novo would make a starting dose of its Wegovy pill – 1.5mg – available in pharmacies and select telehealth providers in early January, with discount offerings of $149 per month.
As for Eli Lilly’s pills, it is expected that they will be cheaper than their jab counterparts as the pills are easier and cheaper to produce.
The pharmaceutical giant revealed it expects pills could be launched “at scale” worldwide as early as next year.
The 7 fat jab mistakes stopping you losing weight
WHILE weight loss jabs have been hailed as a breakthrough in helping tackle Britain’s obesity crisis, some users say they’re missing out on their waist-shrinking powers – and it could be down to some simple mistakes…
POOR PENMANSHIP
Many people don’t correctly use the injection pen, according to Ana Carolina Goncalves, a pharmacist at Pharmica in Holborn, London.
Make sure to prime your weight loss pen correctly, as per the instructions. If nothing comes out, try again, and if it still doesn’t work, switch the needle or ask a pharmacist for help.
It’s also recommended to rotate injection sites between the abdomen, thigh and upper arm to avoid small lumps of fat under the skin.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE
Make sure you’re using the jabs on the most effective day of your schedule.
For example, taking the jab right before a takeaway or party won’t stop you from indulging, says Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy and weight loss expert at Chemist4U.
Weight loss injections need time to build up in your system, so if you’re planning for a heavier weekend, inject your dose mid-week.
MAKING A MEAL OF IT
You may not feel the urge to overeat at mealtimes due to the jabs. But skipping meals altogether can backfire, says Dr David Huang, director of clinical innovation at weight loss service Voy.
If a person is extremely malnourished, their body goes into emergency conservation mode, where their metabolism slows down.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
A key mistake using weight loss jabs is not eating the right foods.
As well as cutting out sugary drinks and alcohol, Dr Vishal Aggarwal, Healthium Clinics recommends focusing on your protein intake.
DE-HYDRATION STATIONS
Dehydration is a common side effect of weight loss injections. But it’s important to stay hydrated in order for your body to function properly.
Dr Crystal Wyllie, GP at Asda Online Doctor, says hydration supports metabolism, digestion, and can reduce side effects like headaches, nausea and constipation.
MOVE IT, MOVE IT
It can be easy to see the jabs as a quick fix, but stopping exercising altogether is a mistake, says Mital Thakrar, a pharmacist from Well Pharmacy.
Exercise helps maintain muscle mass and help shape the body as you lose weight, which may be crucial if you’re experiencing excess skin.
QUIT IT
While there’s the tendency to ditch the jabs as soon as you reach your desired weight, stopping them too soon can cause rapid regain.
Mr Thakrar recommends building habits like healthier eating during treatment for sustaining results.
