Having received MHRA approval earlier this month, the first-of-its-kind weight loss drug has now landed in the UK
The daily Wegovy tablet containing the same active ingredients - semaglutide - as weekly injections is now available through UK High Street and online pharmacies.
It is only obtainable on a private basis and has not yet been approved for NHS Use.
The pill can be purchased by those with a BMI over 30, or 27-30 with related health conditions like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. This is the same threshold used for the injectable version of the weight loss drug.
As with the jab, online or in-person consultations will be required before prescription, with several pharmacies currently taking waitlist sign-ups ahead of stock arrival.
Semaglutide mimics GLP-1, a gut hormone that signals fullness to the brain, curbing appetite and quelling food cravings.
Both the pill and injection have shown comparable results in trials.
The tablet may suit people who dislike needles - it is taken weekly rather than daily and requires no fasting. The injection does require refrigeration, however.
How will dosage work?
The patient will start on a 1.5mg tablet daily for the first month, with the dose increasing gradually under medical supervision up to a maximum of 25mg.
Patients currently using 2.4 mg injections will be able to move to the 25mg daily tablet under medical guidance, as the right dose will vary by individual.
As with the injections, the full effects can take several months to appear and weight regain is a risk after stopping.
What are the side effects?
Common aftereffects of the pill include nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea, as well as stomach pain, headaches and fatigue.
Some rare side effects include low blood sugar, pancreatitis and severe allergic reactions.
The pill is unsuitable for anyone under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding. And anyone being treated for an existing medical condition should discuss this with a doctor beforehand.
How much will it cost?
The pricing will vary by pharmacy and dose, with the lowest 1.5mg dose currently costing around £99 a month at some retailers, rising to nearly £199 for the biggest dose of 25mg.
Some outlets will run introductory discounts, and prices will be broadly similar to the injectable versions of Wegovy - although there’s hope tablet pricing could eventually undercut it.
Effectiveness
In studies, trial participants taking the Wegovy tablet lost an average of 13.61 per cent of body weight over 54 weeks, versus 2.18 per cent on a placebo - alongside diet and exercise changes.
Oxford professor Susan Jebb compared the drugs’ long-term potential to blood pressure or cholesterol medication, while cautioning against seeing them as a solution to obesity on their own.
The drugs, scientists have stressed, are not intended for short-term or cosmetic use - despite evidence of such misuse.
