Wegovy weight-loss pills are now available for patients in the UK to buy, making the country the first in Europe to approve the oral version of the drug. Emil Kongshøj Larsen. Executive vice-president for international operations at Novo Nordisk, the Danish multinational that produces the drug, said: “This is a landmark approval, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve Wegovy pill. We hope this approval supports increasing access to obesity care in the UK.”

Approval and Dosage Details

The pills. Which contain semaglutide. Are now approved for adults who are obese (BMI of 30 or above) or overweight (BMI of 27-30) and have at least one weight-related health condition. Clinical trials showed that those on the highest dose lost 14-17% of their body weight after 64 weeks.

New patients will start on 1.5mg. With doses increasing to 4mg. 9mg, and 25mg, with at least one month at each level. Those already treated privately with weekly 2.4mg Wegovy injections can swap straight to 25mg tablets once daily, if suitable, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.

Availability and Cost

Until Wegovy is approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), it will not be available on the NHS. Eligible patients will have to get a private prescription. Prices have not yet been agreed, but patients will hope they are cheaper than injections. A private prescription for Wegovy injections typically costs £90-£300 a month, depending on the dose and length of prescription.

Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager of Novo Nordisk UK, added: “This approval represents another important step in Novo Nordisk supporting people living with obesity to achieve meaningful and significant weight loss.”

Effectiveness and Side Effects

The approval of the 7.2mg once-weekly maintenance dose is based on data from the STEP UP trial. The trial showed that patients receiving the 7.2mg dose of Wegovy achieved a weight loss of 18.7%, compared to 3.9% for patients receiving placebo. With proper treatment adherence, the 7.2mg dose achieved a 20.7% weight loss after 72 weeks, compared to 2.4% on placebo. A third of trial participants receiving 7.2mg Wegovy lost 25% or more of their body weight compared to placebo.

Obesity affects approximately 15 million people in the UK, with 71% of UK adults predicted to be obese or overweight by 2040. The MHRA has also approved the higher maintenance dose of Wegovy for eligible adult patients in the UK who require further weight loss. The 7.2mg dose is currently available as three 2.4mg injections, but a 7.2mg single dose is expected to become available this year.

As with the injectable form, Wegovy pills must be taken carefully. Patients need to take them whole with a sip of water on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours, then avoid food or drink for at least 30 minutes. The most common side effects of Wegovy pills are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting. The trial also showed a favourable tolerability profile for the increased dose, and side effects leading to discontinuation of treatment were balanced between the 2.4mg and 7.2mg treatment groups.