In a landmark decision for the pharmaceutical industry, U.S. health regulators have officially approved the first oral version of the weight-loss drug ‘Wegovy’. The approval grants manufacturer Novo Nordisk a significant first-mover advantage over rival Eli Lilly in the rapidly evolving race to dominate the obesity treatment market.
The daily pill, which contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide, offers a needle-free alternative to the blockbuster injectable treatments that have surged in popularity over the last two years.
With nearly 100 million Americans living with obesity, experts believe the oral format could be the key to expanding treatment. While roughly 1 in 8 Americans have already tried injectable GLP-1 drugs, high costs—often exceeding $1,000 per month—and “needle phobia” have remained significant barriers.
“There’s an entire demographic that can benefit from the pills,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital. “It’s about having these options available to patients.”
Early price indications suggest a shift toward affordability. Following negotiations between the Trump administration and drugmakers, Novo Nordisk officials stated that a starting dose of the pill could be available through some providers for as low as $149 per month.
Data from clinical trials suggests that the oral version of Wegovy is nearly as effective as its injectable counterpart.
The oral Wegovy pill utilizes a specialized coating to ensure the medication isn’t destroyed by stomach acid before reaching the bloodstream. To remain effective, patients must take the pill with a small sip of water on an empty stomach and wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking.
In contrast, Eli Lilly’s experimental pill, orforglipron, currently under FDA review, carries no such dosing restrictions. A decision on Lilly’s pill is expected by this spring under a priority review program.
For many, the transition to a pill is about more than just avoiding needles; it’s about managing daily hunger. Dr. Chris Mertens, a pediatric doctor who participated in the clinical trial, reported losing 40 pounds on the daily medication. “The daily medication worked to decrease my appetite and invasive thoughts of food,” Mertens noted. “If there were days where I missed a meal, I almost didn’t realize it.”
Despite the convenience, the new oral drug carries the same side-effect profile as the injections, with patients most commonly reporting nausea and diarrhea.
Novo Nordisk expects the Wegovy pill to be available to the public within the coming weeks, with a full pricing schedule to be released in January.
