The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formally approved the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy in pill form, a development being hailed as a major milestone in the treatment of obesity.
The approval allows patients to use a daily oral tablet instead of weekly injections, significantly improving convenience and accessibility for those seeking medical weight-loss solutions.
The newly approved pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in Wegovy injections and the diabetes drug Ozempic, which is administered on a weekly basis.
Clinical trials showed that the oral form of Wegovy delivered results comparable to injections. On average, patients lost around 14 percent of their body weight over 64 weeks, while those taking a placebo recorded only a 2 percent reduction.
According to the manufacturer, Wegovy tablets will be available in the United States from January 2026 on prescription, with the starting dose priced at $149. Prices are expected to rise as dosage increases, though insured patients are likely to face lower out-of-pocket costs.
Doctors advise that the pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients must avoid eating, drinking, or taking other medications for at least 30 minutes afterward. Medical experts note that similar usage restrictions previously limited the widespread adoption of the diabetes drug Rybelsus.
The FDA’s approval is expected to intensify competition in the obesity-drug market. Another US pharmaceutical company is reportedly seeking approval for its experimental pill, Orforglipron, by the summer of 2026.
Meanwhile, a report by a US research organization revealed that nearly one in eight adults in the country is currently using a GLP-1 class medication, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
