Wegovy is no longer only available as an injection.
In June 2026, the UK medicines regulator approved a once-daily Wegovy pill containing semaglutide for weight loss and weight management.
That means people who are suitable for treatment may now have a pill option as well as the familiar weekly Wegovy injection.
So how do Wegovy pills work, what doses are available, and what should you know before comparing prices?
What is the Wegovy pill?
Wegovy pills contain semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Semaglutide works on appetite-regulating pathways and can help people feel fuller for longer, reduce hunger and eat less when used alongside appropriate diet and lifestyle measures.
The big practical difference is how you take it.
Wegovy injections are usually given weekly. The Wegovy pill is taken once every day.
For anyone whose main objection to treatment has been the needle, that is quite a significant change.
What Wegovy pill doses are available?
The approved UK pill doses are:
- 1.5 mg once daily
- 4 mg once daily
- 9 mg once daily
- 25 mg once daily
Treatment starts at 1.5 mg and is increased gradually, with at least one month at each dose level before moving upwards where appropriate.
The gradual increase is intended to improve tolerability.
Your prescriber decides the appropriate dose schedule for you.
How do you take Wegovy pills?
This part matters.
The MHRA says the pill should be swallowed whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours, with a small amount of water.
After taking it, you should wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking because taking food or drink too soon can reduce absorption.
So this is not quite a “take it whenever you remember with your morning coffee” pill.
Follow the instructions supplied with the medicine and any advice from your prescriber.
How effective are Wegovy pills?
Clinical trial evidence has shown meaningful weight loss with oral semaglutide 25 mg when used alongside lifestyle measures.
In the OASIS 4 trial, adults receiving oral semaglutide 25 mg achieved substantially greater average weight loss than those receiving placebo. Novo Nordisk’s published trial material reports that more than half of participants on semaglutide achieved at least 15% weight loss at week 64 in the trial analysis.
That does not mean everyone will achieve the same result.
Individual weight loss can vary considerably.
What are the common side effects?
The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal and include:
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- vomiting
These may be more noticeable when treatment begins or when the dose is increased.
Anyone experiencing severe, persistent or worrying symptoms should seek advice from a healthcare professional. For a deeper look, read our Wegovy pill side effects guide .
Who can take Wegovy pills?
The UK authorisation covers adults with:
- a BMI of 30 or above, or
- a BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related health condition.
It is authorised alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Meeting those criteria does not automatically mean someone will be prescribed Wegovy.
Suitability still needs to be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional. See our full who can take Wegovy pills guide .
Can you switch from Wegovy injections to pills?
Possibly.
The MHRA states that patients being treated privately with Wegovy 2.4 mg once-weekly injections may be transitioned directly to the 25 mg daily pill where clinically appropriate.
That does not mean people should make the switch themselves.
A prescriber should determine whether switching is appropriate and how it should be done. For a side-by-side comparison, read our Wegovy pills vs injections guide .
How much do Wegovy pills cost in the UK?
Private prices can vary between providers.
Things worth checking include:
- the medicine price
- delivery charges
- whether a price is for a new or existing customer
- introductory offers
- whether ongoing orders cost more
- stock availability
A low headline figure is not always the lowest total cost once everything is added.
Health Compare UK lets you compare Wegovy pill prices from UK providers in one place, including relevant delivery and offer information.
Compare Wegovy pills
Compare Wegovy pill prices
See Wegovy pill prices, delivery charges and offers from UK online pharmacies side by side.
Are Wegovy pills available on the NHS?
When the pills were approved in June 2026, the MHRA said they were not currently available through the NHS and that NHS use would go through the normal assessment process, including NICE evaluation.
That position may change, so check current NHS or NICE information if NHS access is important to you.
The takeaway
Wegovy pills offer a new way of taking semaglutide without a weekly injection.
But the pill has its own dosing and administration requirements, and it is still a prescription-only medicine.
If you are comparing private providers, look beyond the headline price and check the total cost, delivery and whether the offer applies to first or repeat orders.
Health Compare UK provides independent price-comparison information and does not prescribe or dispense medicines. Prescription-only medicines require an appropriate clinical assessment. This article is for general information only and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Sources
- UK MHRA approval of the oral semaglutide (Wegovy pill) for weight loss and weight management, June 2026.
- Novo Nordisk OASIS 4 trial published material on oral semaglutide 25 mg.
- Current UK official prescribing information for Wegovy (semaglutide) oral pill.
Information is provided for general informational purposes and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.