A new oral formulation of the weight-loss drug Wegovy is facing scrutiny as patients report experiencing severe side effects, including persistent nausea, exhaustion, and mood disturbances. Some individuals claim these adverse effects are more intense than those experienced with the injectable form of the medication.
Sophie Ashton, a 39-year-old content creator, shared her experience of mental health spiraling just ten days into treatment with the Wegovy pill. She described racing thoughts, waking up in the middle of the night, and an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Ashton stated that her irritability impacted her interactions with her young daughter. She was advised by the prescribing firm to switch back to injections after being told some patients might experience mood disturbances.
Experts suggest that the higher dosage required for the pill to be absorbed orally, compared to the weekly injection, could be a contributing factor to the intensified side effects. While the standard maintenance dose for injected Wegovy is 2.4mg weekly, the oral pill contains 25mg taken daily. Dr. Madusha Peiris, a neurogastroenterologist at Queen Mary University of London, explained that semaglutide is poorly absorbed when swallowed, necessitating a larger dose. This higher concentration passing through the digestive system daily may exacerbate gastrointestinal issues.
While clinical trials indicated that approximately 74% of patients taking the oral semaglutide reported at least one gastrointestinal problem, similar to the injectable version, anecdotal reports suggest a more severe experience for some. Online forums and social media platforms feature numerous accounts of relentless nausea, vomiting, and debilitating diarrhea. Some users have reported that these side effects worsened over time, unlike the experience with the injections where they often subside.
Beyond gastrointestinal distress, patients have also reported headaches, severe bloating, and profound fatigue. One user described the exhaustion as continuous and unrelieved by sleep, impacting their daily activities and work.
Dr. Peiris theorizes that the daily oral administration of a large dose could also affect mood. She noted that a significant amount of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter for mood regulation, is produced in the gut. GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy interact with the gut-brain axis, and a large daily dose hitting the stomach could potentially alter serotonin signaling, leading to downstream effects on mood and anxiety. She emphasized that this link is not yet definitively proven but offers a potential explanation for reported mood changes.
Manufacturers Novo Nordisk stated that patient safety is a priority and that side effects vary. They noted that anxiety and mood disorders are not currently listed on the UK label for the Wegovy pill, and advised patients to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice.
The daily tablet is intended to offer a more convenient alternative for individuals who are deterred by needles. However, experts stress the importance of medical oversight, cautioning against viewing the medication as merely another weight-loss product. The drug is currently available for patients with a BMI of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 with a weight-related condition, though it is not yet available on the NHS.
Concerns also exist regarding potential drug interactions, as many patients using these medications are being treated for other health issues. The rebound effect, where weight is regained after discontinuing the drug, remains a risk with the oral formulation as well, potentially leading to long-term dependency.
Louise Atkinson, 62, reported experiencing heartburn and nausea in the first two weeks of switching to the Wegovy pill from Mounjaro. However, she persevered, and after three weeks, the side effects subsided, and her weight began to decrease. She expressed satisfaction with the pill's ability to suppress hunger and hopes it will help her discontinue other medications.