Key facts
- The Wegovy weight loss pill is now available for private purchase in UK pharmacies.
- It contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as the injectable form.
- The pill requires a medical consultation and is not yet available on the NHS.
- It must be taken daily on an empty stomach, with a waiting period before eating or drinking.
- Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues.
- Clinical trials showed significant weight loss over 64 weeks.
The once-daily Wegovy weight-loss pill, containing the same active ingredient semaglutide as its injectable counterpart, is now available for private purchase in the UK. The pill, approved by the UK's medicines regulator on June 11, is being sold at high street and online pharmacies, though it is not yet available on the NHS. Thousands of people began receiving their first deliveries on Monday.
Similar in effectiveness to the injection, the pill works by mimicking a gut hormone to reduce appetite. It is prescribed privately to overweight or obese individuals, alongside diet and exercise, following a medical consultation. Concerns have been raised about counterfeit pills being sold online, posing public health risks or serving as fronts for scams.
Wegovy pills are priced between £69 for a month's supply of the starting 1.5mg dose and £189 for the highest 25mg dose, as part of multi-month plans. This is generally cheaper than the injectable versions, which range from £79 to £250 per month. Eli Lilly's Mounjaro jab costs between £54 and £300 a month.
Pharmacists note the pill offers a more convenient option for those averse to needles. However, it requires strict adherence: taken on an empty stomach after an eight-hour fast, with a 30-minute wait before eating or drinking. Clinical trials indicated weight loss of 14% to 17% over 64 weeks. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, and vomiting.