Wegovy® Pill

The Wegovy pill is a prescription-only GLP-1 medication that comes in a convenient once-daily tablet. It contains semaglutide—the same active ingredient found in injectable treatments—but offers a needle-free alternative. By acting on the areas of the brain that regulate hunger and appetite, it helps reduce food noise, curb cravings, and support sustainable, long-term weight management.

The Wegovy pill mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone to help regulate appetite, increase feelings of fullness, and reduce hunger. It works alongside a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and lifestyle changes as part of a structured weight management programme to support sustainable weight loss.

Wegovy tablets and injections both contain semaglutide and work in the same way. The main differences are:

• How you take it: A daily tablet instead of a weekly injection. No needles needed.

• How often: Once a day (tablet) compared to once a week (injection).

• Storage: Tablets are stored at room temperature. Injections need to be kept in the refrigerator.

• Absorption: Because the tablet is absorbed through your digestive system, it needs to be taken on an empty stomach with specific timing. The injection is absorbed more predictably under the skin.

• Efficacy: In clinical trials, the Wegovy tablet (25mg) achieved an average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks. The Wegovy injection achieved 16.9% at the standard 2.4mg dose over 68 weeks, and 20.7% at the higher 7.2mg dose over 72 weeks. These figures come from separate trials in different populations and are not a direct head-to-head comparison.

Some people prefer a daily tablet. Others prefer a weekly injection. Your clinician can help you decide what works best for you.

If you’re starting Wegovy for the first time, treatment begins with the lowest dose of 1.5mg once daily. Your dose may then be increased gradually, typically every 30 days, depending on how you respond to treatment and how well you tolerate each dose.

The usual dosing schedule is:

• Days 1–30: 1.5mg once daily

• Days 31–60: 4mg once daily

• Days 61–90: 9mg once daily

• Day 91 onwards: 25mg once daily (maintenance dose)

Your clinician will review your progress at each stage and confirm whether it is appropriate to increase your dose. Increasing gradually gives your body time to adjust and may help reduce the risk of side effects.

You may not need to increase your dose at every stage. If you are experiencing side effects or need more time to adjust, your clinician may recommend staying on your current dose for longer.

The maintenance dose is intended to provide the full treatment effect, but your overall progress also depends on sustainable lifestyle habits, including a balanced diet, regular movement and adequate rest.

The aim is to find a dose that works effectively for you while keeping side effects manageable and supporting steady, sustainable progress.

No. You should not take oral Wegovy and injectable Wegovy at the same time unless specifically advised by a qualified healthcare professional.

Taking two forms of Wegovy together, or combining Wegovy with another GLP-1 medication such as Mounjaro, may increase the risk of side effects and is not recommended.

If you are currently taking a GLP-1 medication, weight loss injection or oral weight loss treatment, make sure you tell your prescriber before starting Wegovy. If you are switching between treatments, your healthcare professional can advise you on the most appropriate and safe way to do this.

Oral Wegovy has been studied in clinical trials and has a safety profile consistent with medicines in the GLP-1 class. As with any prescription medicine, side effects can occur and the treatment may not be suitable for everyone.

To help ensure oral Wegovy is appropriate for you, treatment should only be started following a medical assessment. Your clinician will review your medical history, current medicines and individual circumstances before prescribing.

Your treatment can then be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, who can provide advice if you experience side effects or have concerns about your treatment.

Like all medicines, oral Wegovy (semaglutide) can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Side effects can be more noticeable when you first start treatment or when your dose is increased, and they may improve as your body adjusts.

The most common side effects of oral Wegovy include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Stomach pain or discomfort

• Headache

• Fatigue or tiredness

These side effects are generally related to the digestive system and may be more noticeable during dose increases. Eating smaller meals, avoiding foods that trigger nausea and staying well hydrated may help.

Less common side effects can include a faster heart rate, low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), kidney stones and pancreatitis.

Rare but serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and angioedema, which can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.

If you experience side effects that persist, worsen or concern you, contact your healthcare professional for advice.

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it is accompanied by vomiting, or if you experience difficulty breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.