The United States’ globally recognized regulatory authority, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has officially approved the weight-loss drug Wegovy.
This development is being hailed as a major milestone in obesity treatment, as patients will now have access to a daily oral pill instead of injections.
The new pill contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide, which is also used in Wegovy injections and in Ozempic, a weekly injectable medication for diabetes management.
Clinical trials have shown that the Wegovy pill delivers results comparable to the injectable form, with participants experiencing an average weight reduction of 14% over 64 weeks, compared to just 2% among those receiving a placebo.
According to the manufacturer, the Wegovy pill will be available by prescription in the US starting January 2026, with an initial dosage priced at $149. As the dosage increases, the cost may rise; however, patients with insurance are expected to face comparatively lower expenses.
Doctors recommend taking Wegovy on an empty stomach with a small sip of water and avoiding food, drinks, or other medications for at least 30 minutes afterward. This restriction has previously been cited as a major reason for the limited uptake of Rybelsus, a similar oral diabetes medication.
The FDA’s approval is expected to accelerate competition in obesity medications, with another US company seeking approval for the experimental oral drug Orforgliperone by the summer.
A report by US research organization FF revealed that approximately one in eight adults in the country currently uses some form of GLP-1 medication, including Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, and Monjaro.
