The prescription pill version of Wegovy launched earlier this year in the USA and is in the process of being approved in the UK. Current expectations are that the Wegovy pill could launch in the UK sometime this summer, although the timings could still change depending on the final regulatory process that all drugs have to go through. Here’s a quick guide to all things Wegovy pill that we know at the moment, and have learnt from the USA. Of course, we’re not a medical site so if you want to get medical advice speak to your doctor or healthcare provider.
The pill
The Wegovy pill is a once a day pill that contains semaglutide. That’s the same active ingredient used in the weekly Wegovy jabs that many of us know so well.
Like the jabs it works by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone. Most of us understand how these drugs work now but just to remind you they:
- reduce appetite
- curb cravings
- slow stomach emptying
- help you feel fuller for longer
For many of us the big attraction will be very simple: no more jabbing! The SlimrChat team think it will attract new people to GLP-1’s because it’s just overall easier to manage and more discrete to use. Our content director, Anna-Louise Dearden has chatted to hundreds of people who take the jabs, and thinks the pills will take GLP-1s to the next level.
These pills, with Wegovy being the first, are going to be hugely successful. They will feel more ‘normal’ to use versus the jabs, and it feels like a natural product evolution. It’s going to help a lot more people to build a new healthier life, but it’s still important they adopt positive, lasting changes – Robert, SlimrChat founder
SNAC technology!
We’ve all been wondering why GLP-1 weight loss pills have taken so long to arrive. Well, it’s because these kinds of treatments are normally destroyed by stomach acid before the body can absorb them. This was a big hurdle for the drug company, Novo Nordisk, to overcome.
The problem has been solved by a special absorption technology called SNAC. Despite sounding like something to do with naughty foods we should keep away from, this is actually something called salcaprozate sodium.
In simple terms SNAC temporarily changes the stomach environment for about half an hour. As a result this helps to protect the semaglutide in Wegovy long enough for it to pass through the stomach lining and into the bloodstream to do its magic.
Wegovy pill morning routine
This is where things are different from the jabs. This is because timing is important when taking the Wegovy pill. To make it work most effectively we’re going to need to follow some rules:
- Take it immediately after waking up on a completely empty stomach
- Use only a small amount of water, no more than around 120ml
- Swallow the tablet whole
- Wait over 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else, having coffee or taking other medications
For most of us these rules will be absolutely fine. For others who have a more frantic morning routine including kids, commuting or more medicines to take it might be more challenging. This is something to consider when chatting to your doctor or pharmacist.
I’d consider taking the tablet, but I’d be a little worried about the strict routine. I have two young children and a commute to work, so it involves logistics and coffee, which will make it a challenge. I’d probably just view it like the contraceptive pill that I used to take. A strict morning schedule was required, so I didn’t forget it – Pippa, SlimrChat community member
Does it work?
The results so far look impressive, with the trial showing around 14% loss of body weight in a trial that lasted nearly 15 months. For the people who were involved that meant about 15kg of weight loss. And 8 in 10 people lost at least 5kg.
How does it compare with jabs
The Wegovy pill appears to be as effective as the Wegovy jab in some studies. Obviously more evidence is building as more people use it in the USA. And so far, over 1.6 million people have been given prescriptions for it.
The current evidence still suggests Mounjaro jabs remain the overall heavyweight champion for weight loss results with weight loss of around 20kg over long trials.
Doses
Like the jabs the Wegovy pill uses a gradual step-up approach to help manage side effects.
The expected schedule looks like this:
- Month 1: 1.5mg daily
- Month 2: 4mg daily
- Month 3: 9mg daily
- Month 4 onwards: 25mg daily maintenance dose
Side effects and warnings
The side effects are very similar to the jabs.
The most common are:
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- vomiting
- stomach pain
Many people find symptoms improve over time, especially if they:
- eat smaller meals
- prioritise protein
- avoid greasy or highly processed foods
- stay hydrated
There are also important medical warnings, including rare risks linked to:
- gallbladder problems
- pancreatitis
- thyroid C-cell tumours
Like any prescription medication the Wegovy pill is not suitable for everyone. You should always talk to your doctor or healthcare provider before starting the treatment, and keep them informed throughout your journey.
Any idea on cost?
In the USA the Wegovy pill has emerged as one of the cheaper entry points for people who get private prescriptions. That is a change. Like in the UK online pharmacies are driving aggressive price promotions. We expect the same to happen here.
Early expectations were that the pill would launch at similar pricing to the injections. Instead, manufacturers and pharmacy partners are increasingly pushing aggressive direct-to-consumer pricing deals.
From a pricing point of view, the UK is very different to the US because Wegovy and Mounjaro injections are already much cheaper here. That means the Wegovy pill may launch at a similar price to the jab, rather than much lower. But the big opportunity is access. Plenty of people simply do not want to inject themselves, and a pill could open the door for a whole new group of users.
Pill or jab? That is the question.
The Wegovy pill could suit you if:
- you hate the jabs or the thought of jabbing
- your mornings are a bit more structured and predictable
- you are happy delaying breakfast and coffee
The jabs may suit you better if:
- your mornings are hectic
- you take multiple morning medications
- you want maximum convenience
- you prefer once-weekly dosing
- you are chasing the strongest currently available weight loss results
For most of us, the real breakthrough here is not necessarily “better” weight loss. It’s about more choices. And the Wegovy pill is not going to be the last new choice. There’s a new pill coming from the makers of Mounjaro late this year, and at least 5 more drugs being developed.
We’re all for more choice and we’re all for continued treatment development. We’ll keep you up to date as things happen.
Here’s some more information from Novo Nordisk USA on the Wegovy pill and here’s the full detail on the trial.
