WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENT
Wegovy tablets (oral semaglutide)
A once-daily tablet form of semaglutide — the same active ingredient as the Wegovy pen and Ozempic — for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity. Needle-free, taken once a day. A prescriber confirms suitability and the right dose during your consultation.
At a glance
What are Wegovy tablets?
Wegovy tablets are an oral form of semaglutide, a GLP-1 medicine indicated as an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for weight management in adults with a BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or 27 or above (overweight) with at least one weight-related health condition. They offer a needle-free, once-daily alternative to the weekly injection.
How it works
Semaglutide mimics the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite. It acts on areas of the brain that control hunger and fullness, so you feel satisfied with less food, and it modestly slows how quickly the stomach empties. The result, alongside diet and activity, is reduced calorie intake and weight loss.
Dosage & pricing
| Dose | Stage | Availability | Price (per month)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mg | Starting dose (first month) | Available now | £98.00 |
| 4 mg | Titration (min. 1 month) | Available now | £105.00 |
| 9 mg | Titration (min. 1 month) | Pre-order | £128.99 |
| 25 mg | Maintenance dose | Pre-order | £168.99 |
9 mg and 25 mg — available to pre-order. Order now and we'll ship it as soon as it's in stock. You'll still complete your consultation first, and a prescriber checks everything before anything is dispensed.
* Treatment starts at 1.5 mg once daily; after one month the dose is stepped up to 4 mg, then 9 mg, then 25 mg (maintenance), with at least one month at each level. Maximum 25 mg once daily — never more than one tablet a day.
How to take it for best results
How you take the tablet strongly affects how well it's absorbed. Follow these steps:
- On an empty stomach — after fasting for at least 8 hours (first thing in the morning works well).
- With a little water only — up to half a glass (about 120 ml). Swallow it whole; don't split, crush or chew it.
- Then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking any other tablets. Waiting less reduces absorption.
- Take it every day — consistency matters for it to work properly. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one the following day.
How effective is it?
From the 64-week OASIS 4 trial of the 25 mg tablet, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity. Average weight change was −13.6% versus −2.2% for placebo. Individual results vary.
Tablets vs the injection
| Wegovy pen (injection) | Wegovy tablets | |
|---|---|---|
| How it's taken | Weekly injection | Daily tablet |
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Semaglutide |
| Absorption | More consistent | More variable — food/timing sensitive |
| Average weight loss* | ~15% over 68 weeks (STEP 1, 2.4 mg) | ~13.6% over 64 weeks (OASIS 4, 25 mg) |
| Switching between them | From the 2.4 mg weekly pen you can move to the 25 mg daily tablet, starting one week after your last injection. Absorption differs, so your prescriber guides the switch. | |
* Figures are from separate trials of different lengths and populations — a general guide, not a head-to-head comparison.
Side effects
Because it’s the same active ingredient as the injection, the side effects are similar. Most are digestive, tend to appear when starting or stepping up a dose, and ease as your body adjusts.
Affects more than 1 in 10 people
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation
- Stomach (abdominal) pain and indigestion
- Headache and tiredness
Affects up to 1 in 10 people
- Dizziness; altered sense of taste
- Gastritis, reflux, burping, wind, bloating
- Gallstones; hair loss
- Low blood sugar (mainly in people with type 2 diabetes)
Managing the common effects
- Most stomach effects appear when stepping up a dose and ease with time
- Eat smaller, plainer meals and keep well hydrated
- Hair loss, if it happens, is usually mild and often recovers
Stop and get medical advice if you notice
- Severe, persistent stomach pain (possible pancreatitis)
- Sudden changes to your vision
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling, breathing difficulty)
Contact your GP or NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999.
Who should not take it
Not suitable if you
- Are allergic to semaglutide or any ingredient
- Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding
- (Stop at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy)
Tell your prescriber if you have
- A history of pancreatitis or gallstones
- Severe kidney or liver problems
- Type 2 diabetes with eye disease (retinopathy)
- Problems with slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis)
Women who could become pregnant are advised to use contraception during treatment. This list is not exhaustive — your prescriber will review your full history.
Frequently asked questions
They’re a once-daily oral form of semaglutide — the same active ingredient as the Wegovy injection and Ozempic — used for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Semaglutide works by reducing appetite and increasing how full you feel.
Same medicine, different format. The tablet is taken every day with no needles; the pen is a weekly injection with more consistent absorption. The tablet is more sensitive to food and timing, so how you take it matters.
In the 64-week OASIS 4 trial, people on the 25 mg tablet lost about 13.6% of their body weight on average, compared with 2.2% on placebo. Around 60% lost at least 10%. Your own result depends on dose, diet, activity and individual response.
On an empty stomach after fasting at least 8 hours, swallowed whole with up to half a glass of water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other tablets. Take it every day for it to work properly.
Yes — people on the 2.4 mg weekly pen can move to the 25 mg daily tablet, starting one week after their last injection. Because absorption differs between the two, your prescriber guides the switch.
No. It’s a prescription-only medicine, supplied only after a prescriber confirms it’s appropriate for you. It isn’t available over the counter.
Clinical review
Reviewed & approved 6 July 2026
References & sources
- Wegovy 25 mg tablets (semaglutide) SmPC — emc, product 102347 (last updated 16 Jun 2026). medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102347/smpc
- OASIS 4 phase 3b trial (oral semaglutide 25 mg for weight management), as summarised in the SmPC section 5.1.
- NICE guidance on semaglutide for weight management. nice.org.uk
- MHRA Yellow Card scheme. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk
For UK audiences; general information only, not a substitute for your prescriber's advice or the Patient Information Leaflet. Always read the PIL supplied with your medicine.
