Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jan 7: In a major development for obesity treatment, a popular weight-loss medication, Wegovy, is now available in tablet form in the United States. The move comes weeks after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the oral version of the GLP-1 drug, offering patients an alternative to injections.
Pharmaceutical major Novo Nordisk announced that a starter dose of 1.5 mg Wegovy pill can now be purchased across the US with a prescription. Higher doses are expected to be rolled out by the end of this week. Company officials said the tablet is currently the only weight-loss medication approved specifically for obesity that can be taken orally rather than through injections.
According to Novo Nordisk, clinical trials showed promising results, with participants losing an average of 16 per cent body weight over a 64-week period during Phase III trials. The drug is designed to suppress appetite and is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular physical activity.
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Patient Solutions at Novo Nordisk, Ed Cinca, said many people had been waiting for a pill-based option for weight management, adding that the once-daily tablet could make treatment more accessible. Medical experts echoed this view, noting that pills are generally easier for patients to adopt than injections.
The Wegovy pill is currently available at more than 70,000 pharmacies in the US, including major chains such as CVS and Costco, as well as through select telehealth providers. The monthly cost without insurance is around $149 for the starter dose, while insured patients may pay as little as $25 per month. Prices for higher doses are expected to increase in the coming months.
Doctors, however, cautioned that while the pill offers convenience, long-term success still depends on lifestyle changes such as healthy eating and regular exercise. Some experts also expressed concern over insurance coverage and affordability, particularly for low-income patients.
Meanwhile, rival pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly is also seeking FDA approval for its own oral weight-loss medication, signalling increased competition and expanding options in obesity treatment.
Health professionals stressed that weight-loss medications are not a substitute for lifestyle changes but can serve as effective tools when combined with diet and exercise, helping patients stay committed to their weight management journey.