Wegovy Tablets UK: What You Need to Know in 2026

Wegovy tablets are a once-daily oral version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in the well-known Wegovy injection. The tablets are made by Novo Nordisk and are formulated specifically for chronic weight management.

In the United States, the oral form was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025 and launched in early January 2026. It is the first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist medication approved specifically for weight loss anywhere in the world.

Rybelsus, also made by Novo Nordisk, has been the only oral semaglutide product on the UK market until now. The two are not interchangeable:

• Rybelsus is licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It is not licensed for weight loss.
• Wegovy tablets are a higher-dose product formulated specifically for chronic weight management.

No. Wegovy tablets are not yet licensed or available to prescribe in the UK.

In January 2026, the MHRA confirmed it was reviewing Novo Nordisk's license application, with a decision anticipated later in the year. Until the MHRA grants marketing authorisation, no UK pharmacy or prescriber can legally supply the medicine for weight loss.

This is a separate process from the US approval. The MHRA reviews each medicine independently before authorising it for use in the UK. Even once approval is granted, NHS availability would not be automatic. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) would then need to appraise the treatment for cost-effectiveness, which typically adds several months. Private access through registered UK clinics usually follows MHRA approval more quickly.

Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. GLP-1 is a hormone the gut releases after eating that signals fullness to the brain and slows the rate at which the stomach empties.

By mimicking this hormone, semaglutide helps patients feel fuller for longer, reduces hunger, and supports lower calorie intake when combined with diet and lifestyle changes. The active ingredient is the same as in the Wegovy injection, only delivered through the digestive tract rather than under the skin.

The principal evidence for Wegovy tablets comes from the OASIS-4 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in September 2025. Adults with overweight or obesity who took the daily tablet alongside lifestyle support achieved meaningful weight loss over 64 weeks, with results broadly comparable to those seen with the standard weekly Wegovy injection.

The most common side effects in the trial were gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal pain. These are consistent with the wider GLP-1 medication class and tend to be most pronounced when starting treatment or moving to a higher dose.

Both products contain the same active ingredient, but they differ in how they are taken.

For some patients, the appeal of a daily tablet is straightforward: no needles, no fridge space and no sharps disposal. For others, a single weekly injection is easier to maintain than a strict daily morning routine.

It is also worth noting that a higher 7.2 mg Wegovy injection was licensed by the MHRA in January 2026, offering a stronger option for adults who have completed standard titration.

Semaglutide is a large peptide molecule. Swallowed, it would normally be broken down by stomach acid before reaching the bloodstream. The Wegovy tablet is formulated with an absorption enhancer that helps the drug pass across the stomach lining, but absorption is still sensitive to how the tablet is taken.

It must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with a small amount of plain water, and a 30-minute wait before any food, drink or other medication. Even small deviations can reduce how much of the medicine the body absorbs.

While the MHRA review of Wegovy tablets continues, several licensed treatments are available to UK patients through Diet UK's medically supervised programmes.

The Wegovy weight loss injection is currently the only licensed semaglutide-based weight loss medication available in the UK. It is administered once a week, with doses titrated from a low starting point up to a maintenance dose. The newer 7.2 mg dose, approved by the MHRA in January 2026, offers a stronger option for adults who have completed standard titration.

Mounjaro injections are another weekly weight loss injection licensed by the MHRA. Tirzepatide acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors and has produced the strongest weight loss outcomes of any licensed obesity medication to date.

For patients who prefer or are better suited to a non-GLP-1 oral option, Diet UK has prescribed Phentermine and Diethylpropion for over 35 years as part of medically supervised weight loss programmes.

Wegovy tablets represent a meaningful step forward for people who would prefer an oral weight loss medication over a weekly injection. For UK patients, however, that option is not yet available. The MHRA review continues, and no licensed UK provider can supply Wegovy tablets until that decision is made.

In the meantime, Diet UK's medically supervised weight loss programmes offer licensed options including the Wegovy injection, Mounjaro and prescription appetite suppressant tablets. Each is reviewed by an experienced clinician and supported throughout treatment. To discuss whether any of these treatments may be suitable for you, arrange a consultation or speak with our team.

There is no confirmed UK launch date. As of May 2026, the MHRA is reviewing Novo Nordisk's licensing application and has indicated a decision is anticipated later in 2026. Private availability typically follows MHRA approval within weeks; NHS availability would follow a separate NICE appraisal.

No. Both contain oral semaglutide and are made by Novo Nordisk, but Rybelsus is licensed in the UK only for type 2 diabetes. Wegovy tablets are a higher-dose product specifically for weight loss and are not yet licensed in the UK.