Wegovy Weight-Loss Drug Approved as Oral Tablet for UK Prescriptions
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved an oral tablet version of the weight-loss medication Wegovy for use in the UK. This decision means the drug, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, will soon be available via private prescription, marking the first time a GLP-1 appetite-suppressing medication in pill form has received UK clearance.
Novo Nordisk stated the once-daily tablet could provide a more convenient option for some patients compared to the weekly injectable form, as it does not require refrigeration. However, availability through the National Health Service (NHS) is contingent on an assessment by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which has not yet received a submission from Novo Nordisk but reports active dialogue with the company.
The MHRA has outlined a starting dose of 1.5 mg once daily, escalating through 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg, with a minimum duration of one month at each level. Patients currently on the 2.4 mg semaglutide injection weekly can transition directly to the 25 mg tablets daily. The tablets, which contain semaglutide to mimic a natural appetite-suppressing hormone, should be taken on an empty stomach and are already available in the US.
While the UK cost is yet to be determined, the 1.5 mg starting dose was listed at $149 (approximately £110) per month in the US. Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, described the approval as "significant," potentially aiding patients unable or unwilling to use the injectable form and possibly leading to long-term cost reductions. Pharmacies are awaiting further guidance on availability.
Clinical trials indicate the tablets are safe and effective, though like the injectable, full benefits take several months, and weight regain is a risk if medication ceases. Alongside medication, patients are advised to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regime. GLP-1 drugs are not intended for short-term or cosmetic weight loss, with health experts cautioning against misuse for superficial purposes. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting. Over 16 million adults, approximately one-third of the UK population, are classified as obese.
