Wegovy Pill Shows Promise as Alternative to Injections for Weight Loss

The pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy may offer a viable alternative for individuals seeking to shed pounds, particularly after reaching a plateau with injectable treatments, according to new data from US researchers.

An observational study, known as OCTANE, analyzed data from 194 overweight or obese adults who switched from injectable GLP-1 agonists to the daily Wegovy pill. The findings suggest that this oral formulation can help patients continue their weight loss journey, with some individuals losing more than half a stone (approximately 7 pounds) in three months.

This oral treatment is highlighted as the first and only daily pill of its kind approved for use in the UK. Experts believe its convenience over injections could encourage patients to adhere to treatment for longer periods. The study found that over a 12-week period, more than 40 percent of users who switched to the pill lost an additional 5 percent of their body weight.

Typically, weight loss with injectable GLP-1 agonists is most rapid in the initial months, with users shedding about 6 percent of their body weight in the first three months. Weight loss then tends to slow, with many patients experiencing a plateau after six to 12 months. Initial trial results indicated that users taking the pill for just over a year lost an average of 17 percent of their body weight, approximately three stone (42 pounds), compared to an average of 15 percent for those using Wegovy injections.

The OCTANE study is among the first to investigate how patients previously treated with injectable weight loss medications respond to an oral alternative. The research indicated that nearly a quarter of participants who switched to the pill moved out of the obese category within three months. The proportion of participants classified as clinically obese decreased from 87 percent to 66 percent, with nearly half losing at least 5 percent of their body weight. Additionally, 87 percent of participants reported taking their medication daily.

Dr. Louis Aronne, a co-author of the study and a speaker at The European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan, noted that many patients who respond well to injectable therapy may seek an oral option for personal or practical reasons. "Our findings suggest that a switch to oral medication may be a viable path for the right patient," Aronne stated.

George Godfrey, Senior Director of Medical & Regulatory at Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy, described the results as encouraging. "The data gives us an early look at what happened when people made that choice in the real-world," Godfrey said. "On average patients lost weight, with most taking their medicine consistently. This shows that switching to the Wegovy pill helped people lose weight while allowing them a new way to align their weight loss therapeutic journey with their lifestyle."

However, further research is required to ascertain if the pill, which contains semaglutide—the same active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic—can offer more sustained weight loss compared to the injections.

The Wegovy pill mimics the GLP-1 hormone, which helps regulate appetite by signaling fullness. It is licensed in the UK for obese adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or those with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one weight-related condition. Demand for the pill is anticipated to be high, with surveys suggesting twice as many patients would prefer a tablet over injections.

The pill requires specific administration: it must be taken with a sip of water on an empty stomach after an eight-hour fast, with no food or drink for at least 30 minutes afterward. Tens of thousands of people in the UK are reported to have switched to the pill since its private availability in July 2026. The pill is not yet available via NHS prescription, and discussions between Novo Nordisk and the UK government regarding its rollout on the NHS are reportedly ongoing, with pricing being a potential obstacle.