British health regulators have granted approval for an oral version of the appetite-suppressing medication Wegovy. This represents the first time the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has cleared a tablet form of this treatment for use in the UK.
Produced by Novo Nordisk, the daily pill serves as an alternative to the existing weekly injectable version. Unlike the current injections, the oral medication does not require refrigeration. While private pharmacies may soon offer the drug through prescription services, it is not yet available through the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently in discussions with the manufacturer regarding potential public funding.
Clinical guidelines specify a titration schedule starting at 1.5 mg and increasing up to 25 mg over several months. Patients currently utilizing the 2.4 mg weekly injection may transition directly to the 25 mg daily tablet, which must be consumed on an empty stomach. The drug functions by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone, which aids in digestion regulation and satiety.
While the medication has proven effective in trials, health experts emphasize that it is not intended for short-term cosmetic use. Users are advised to combine the treatment with healthy lifestyle choices, as side effects such as nausea or vomiting may occur and weight regain is a possibility once usage stops. Costs in the UK remain unconfirmed, though US pricing has served as a benchmark since the product’s release there.
