Wegovy Pill (Oral Semaglutide Tablets)

Diet UK treatment fees include the medication, all follow-up consultations, medical advice and ongoing support throughout your programme.

Yes. The MHRA authorised the Wegovy pill on 11th June 2026, and it is now available in the UK via private prescription. Diet UK offers oral semaglutide as a treatment option, prescribed after an online video consultation where a qualified doctor confirms it is clinically appropriate for you.

You may be suitable for the Wegovy pill if you are an adult with:

• A BMI of 30 or above (clinically classified as obesity), or
• A BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or obstructive sleep apnoea

The Wegovy pill is not suitable if you:

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy
• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Are allergic to semaglutide or any of the inactive ingredients

Tell your doctor, who will assess whether it is appropriate, if you:

• Have a history of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease
• Have gallbladder problems or severe kidney disease

The OASIS 4 trial that supported the UK approval did not include people with type 2 diabetes. Final suitability is always confirmed by a qualified Diet UK doctor after your consultation.

The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a natural gut hormone (GLP-1) that the body releases after eating, telling the brain you are full. Taken once daily, the Wegovy pill:

• Reduces hunger and food cravings
• Helps you feel fuller sooner and stay full for longer
• Slows how quickly your stomach empties
• Helps regulate blood sugar

Because semaglutide is absorbed less efficiently when swallowed than when injected, the tablet uses higher milligram doses than the injection. It works best alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.

The UK approval is based on the OASIS 4 phase 3 trial, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of semaglutide 25 mg tablets in 307 adults with obesity or overweight with a weight-related condition, without type 2 diabetes, over 64 weeks. Participants also followed a reduced-calorie diet (a daily 500 kcal deficit) and a structured exercise plan.

• Around 14% (13.6%) average weight loss with semaglutide 25 mg tablets versus around 2% (2.2%) with placebo, when measured regardless of whether people stayed on treatment
• Around 17% (16.6%) average weight loss versus around 3% (2.7%) with placebo, when all participants stayed on treatment

Source: Novo Nordisk MHRA approval announcement (11 June 2026), reporting OASIS 4 outcomes. Individual results vary based on adherence, lifestyle changes and starting weight. The medical supervision at Diet UK is part of what helps patients get the most from treatment.

The Wegovy pill is taken once a day. The dose starts low and increases gradually to reduce the chance of gastrointestinal side effects. According to the MHRA, the steps are:

There is a minimum of one month at each dose level before stepping up. Novo Nordisk has indicated that people already treated privately with the once-weekly 2.4 mg Wegovy injection may, if they prefer, be switched directly to the 25 mg daily tablet. Any change to or from injections should only be made on your prescriber's advice.

Most common side effects are gastrointestinal and usually settle as your body adjusts. In the OASIS 4 trial these were reported by 74.0% of people taking oral semaglutide, compared with 42.2% on placebo, and were generally mild to moderate. They include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain

Less common but serious side effects associated with semaglutide include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems. In OASIS 4, around 7% (6.9%) of people taking oral semaglutide stopped treatment because of side effects, in line with rates seen in injectable semaglutide trials. Contact your Diet UK doctor promptly if you experience persistent severe abdominal pain or any unusual symptoms. Regular medical reviews throughout treatment are included in your programme. This page does not list every possible side effect; read the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

Both contain semaglutide and both support weight management alongside diet and activity. The main differences are how often and how they are taken, and the dose numbers involved.

Neither is automatically 'better'. The right choice depends on your preferences, your medical history and your clinician's assessment. Some people prefer a daily tablet and no needles; others prefer a once-weekly injection. Your Diet UK doctor will help you choose. You can also read more about the Wegovy injection on our dedicated page.

Diet UK is a medically led weight loss clinic in Preston, Lancashire, serving patients across the UK by online video consultation. Every plan is overseen by a qualified doctor, with ongoing support throughout your programme. To talk about your options, including the Wegovy pill, contact the clinic to arrange a consultation. 

Is the Wegovy pill available in the UK?

Yes. Following MHRA approval, the Wegovy pill is available in the UK via private prescription. NHS availability is subject to a NICE appraisal. Diet UK prescribes it after an online video consultation.

Is the Wegovy pill as effective as the injection?

In its trial (OASIS 4), the 25 mg tablet produced around 14% average weight loss over 64 weeks, or around 17% if all participants stayed on treatment. The injection and the pill have been studied in different trials, so head-to-head comparison is limited, but both deliver clinically meaningful weight loss with semaglutide. Your clinician can talk you through which may suit you.

How is the Wegovy pill taken?

It is a once-daily tablet, taken by mouth. The dose is increased in steps (1.5 mg, then 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg), with a minimum of one month at each level, to help reduce side effects.

Can I switch from the Wegovy injection to the pill?

Possibly. Novo Nordisk has indicated that people on the once-weekly 2.4 mg injection may be switched directly to the 25 mg daily tablet if they prefer. This should only be done on your prescriber's advice.

Is the Wegovy pill the same as Rybelsus?

Both are oral semaglutide tablets, but they are licensed for different purposes and at different doses. Rybelsus is licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes. The Wegovy pill is the licensed weight-management product. They are not interchangeable.

Can I buy the Wegovy pill online?

It is a prescription-only medicine and should only be supplied after a medical assessment by a qualified prescriber. It should not be bought from unregulated websites, which carry risks including counterfeit products and no clinical oversight.