Managing your weight can feel like a constant uphill battle, especially when you’ve implemented a new diet and exercise plan which isn't delivering the results you are working towards. 

Wegovy, a clinically proven treatment is designed to work alongside these lifestyle changes to support sustainable weight loss. This is done by working alongside the body's systems to regulate appetite and reduce food cravings. 

Up until now, Wegovy has only been available as a once-weekly injection. Now with a convenient oral option, it offers a modern, flexible approach to weight management, helping you take meaningful steps toward a healthier, more confident you.

What is Wegovy? 

Wegovy is a prescription only treatment containing the active ingredient semaglutide. In addition to the injection form already available, Wegovy has now been approved in tablet form, offering a more convenient option to reaching your weight loss goals.

At a glance:

• Needle free, oral tablet 

• Same active ingredient as the injection 

• Once daily treatment

• Prescription only weight loss treatment

• Mimics natural hormones to reduce hunger and slow stomach emptying 

• Weight loss up to 16.6% 

What is the Wegovy tablet and how does it work?

The Wegovy tablet contains the same active ingredient as the injection form: semaglutide. 

As a GLP-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide is designed to imitate a naturally occurring hormone in the body, glucagon- like peptide-1(GLP-1), which is released after eating. This hormone plays a role in suppressing appetite, slowing digestion and regulating blood sugars - making you feel fuller, quicker, for longer. In combination these effects support lower calorie intake and more consistent blood sugar control, which contributes to gradual and sustained weight loss.

Dosing and formulation 

The tablet form of Wegovy is available in four dose strengths: 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg.

The dose starts at 1.5mg once daily for the first 30 days. This is increased every 30 days if needed until a maintenance dose is reached. Your healthcare provider may advise you to stay at one dose for longer if it continues to work for you. 

Clinicians will recommend to maintain at the lowest, most effective dose for as long as possible. This approach helps get the most benefit from treatment, reducing side effects associated with higher doses. 

How to take Wegovy tablets 

• Take one tablet in the morning on an empty stomach. Swallow whole with half a glass of water (~100ml) and not with any other liquids. 

• Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medication, allowing time for your body to absorb Wegovy. 

• Wegovy tablets should not be crushed, cut, dissolved or chewed - swallow whole. 

• If a dose is missed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose on the next day. 

Side effects 

As with all medications, Wegovy can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. They are most likely to occur upon treatment initiation or when the dose is increased. The most common include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Vomiting 

• Headache 

• Tiredness

• Upset stomach 

• Belching 

• Dizziness 

More serious side effects include

• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) - a severe, sharp abdominal pain that moved to your back, alongside fever, nausea, and swelling or tenderness of the stomach.

• Gallbladder issues - including gallstones. Symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen, yellowing of the eyes and skin and/or clay coloured stools

• Allergic reactions -symptoms include: swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, a very rapid heart beat. 

If you experience any of these side effects, you should stop taking Wegovy tablets and seek immediate medical attention. 

Trial results: Does a pill work as well as a jab ?

Although there is no head-to-head data, clinical trials have shown that both oral and injectable forms of Wegovy can support significant weight loss, even though they differ in administration and absorption. 

In the OASIS4 trial, adults taking the 25 mg daily oral tablet lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks. In separate studies, injectable Wegovy at the 2.4mg dose produced weight loss of 17.5% and the higher 7.2mg dose, 20.7%.  

While the injection offers once-weekly dosing and more consistent absorption, the oral tablet offers a needle-free approach and greater flexibility in dosing. Ultimately the choice depends on individual preference, lifestyle, and clinical considerations, as well as availability.