Wegovy weight loss pills launch in the US in January! UK soon after?
Robert Price | Last update: 23rd December 2025
Big news! Those of us who’ve been on, or are still on, Wegovy or Mounjaro jabs, have probably all wished there was an easy to manage pill to take at some point in our weight loss journey.
Well, the first one will soon be available in the USA. Here’s the SlimrChat update
What’s the big news?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who are the regulators of all drugs available there, has approved the first pill version of Wegovy. Like Wegovy it’s from Novo Nordisk.
The new pills will be available in the USA from January. With the UK and European launches following in the new year.
We’ve been updating you on the new drugs in development, especially the pill versions, through the year. And now they’re happening! This is a huge development for all of us who struggle with our weight.
What will it be like?
Super straightword. It’s a once a day pill. It’s the first GLP-1 medication in tablet form to be cleared for weight loss.
The pills contain 25mg of semaglutide (the same ingredient as Wegovy). This is approx 10 times more than in the jabs. This is because the pills will be processed in the digestive system which is not as effective a method as jabs under the skin.
For the Wegovy pills to be most effective they must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with no more than a sip of water. And it needs to be taken at least 30 minutes before any food, drink, or other medications.
Does it work?
The trials have shown that the pill is just as effective as the original weekly injection.
People who kept to the daily pill schedule lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks. The jab version of Wegovy results in around 15% weight loss.
Interestingly about a third of people on trials lost over 20% of their body weight.
As we’d expect the halo effects of the new drug are like those of the jabs including reduced risk of heart issues and strokes.
Are the side effects the same as the jabs?
The side effects, unsurprisingly, are similar to the jabs. There are some experts predicting that they may be more intense because the medication is hitting the stomach. Time and experience will show the answers to that.
How much is it?
The list price has not been finalised or announced yet. However, Novo Nordisk seems to have an agreement to offer the starting dose for $149 (approximately £118) per month for those paying cash or using the government’s TrumpRx platform.
The good news is that this is significantly lower than the current cash price for the jabs there which start at $225-$250 for the starter jabs.
Are there more pills coming?
While Novo Nordisk is the first to market, competition is close behind. Eli Lilly is expected to receive approval for its own weight-loss pill, Orforglipron, in early 2026. Unlike Wegovy, Lilly’s pill will have less strict requirements but it may offer slightly lower average weight loss.
SlimrChat’s view
We’ve been covering the new drug developments as they happen. We’re feeling positive that this will be another step towards longer term help for those of us who struggle with our weight.
Of course the drugs will only ever be part of a successful weight loss journey that is maintained for the long term. That’s why we’re here. To be a safe place to share our experiences and advice with each other in a safe friendly environment.
We will never sell the drugs, but we’ll work hard to keep you informed.