The next generation of weight-loss medications is beginning to reshape obesity treatment, with pill-based alternatives to popular injectable drugs set to become increasingly available.
Health experts believe these oral medications could dramatically expand access to GLP-1 therapies, offering patients a more convenient option than weekly injections.
Weight-Loss Pills Poised to Rival Injectable Treatments
Around 2.6 million people in the UK are already using GLP-1 weight-loss injections, but demand may soon shift as oral versions enter the market.
The first tablet version of Wegovy has now received approval from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and is available through private providers from roughly £100 per month.
Interest in the treatment has been significant elsewhere, with millions of prescriptions issued in the United States within months of its approval.
A second pill, Foundayo, developed by Eli Lilly, is also expected to launch privately in the UK later this year following regulatory review.
Wegovy Pill Offers Familiar Treatment in Tablet Form
The oral version of Wegovy contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the injectable medication produced by Novo Nordisk.
Unlike injections, however, the tablet must survive the stomach before entering the bloodstream.
To achieve this, the medicine includes a protective compound called salcaprozate sodium (SNAC), which shields the drug from stomach acid and improves absorption.
Patients take the medication once each morning on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, waiting at least 30 minutes before eating.
Treatment begins at a low dose before gradually increasing over several months under medical supervision.
Impressive Weight-Loss Results in Clinical Trials
Clinical studies suggest the Wegovy tablet can produce substantial weight loss.
Participants taking the highest daily dose lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks.
Some patients achieved reductions exceeding 20%, approaching the results seen with weekly Wegovy injections, which average around 19% weight loss.
Researchers also reported improvements in blood sugar control, blood pressure, waist circumference, cholesterol levels and triglycerides, indicating benefits that extend beyond weight reduction.
Side Effects Mirror Injectable GLP-1 Drugs
As with injectable GLP-1 medications, digestive issues remain the most commonly reported side effects.
Patients experienced nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, indigestion and occasional sleep disturbances, although most symptoms were mild.
Approximately 7% of trial participants discontinued treatment because of side effects.
Experts also note that slowing stomach emptying may interfere with the absorption of certain medications taken by mouth.
Availability and Cost of Wegovy Tablets
Private online pharmacies have already begun supplying the new oral medication in the UK.
Prices vary depending on dosage, beginning at around £99 per month for the lowest strength and rising to nearly £190 monthly for the highest dose.
NHS availability is unlikely before 2027, pending recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Although the pill offers convenience for those uncomfortable with injections, it must be taken every day and requires careful timing before meals.
Foundayo Takes a Different Scientific Approach
Foundayo contains orforglipron, a chemically stable GLP-1 drug developed by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer behind Mounjaro.
Unlike semaglutide tablets, orforglipron does not require a protective coating because it naturally withstands stomach acid.
As a result, users can take the medication at any time of day without worrying about meals.
Treatment also begins with a low daily dose before being increased gradually over time.
Lower Weight Loss but Greater Convenience
Clinical trials found Foundayo produced average weight loss of 12.4% over approximately 18 months, making it somewhat less effective than the oral Wegovy treatment.
However, researchers observed another potential advantage.
Patients who had previously lost weight using injectable GLP-1 drugs but had reached a plateau were able to maintain between 75% and 80% of their weight loss for up to a year after switching to Foundayo.
The medication also reduced waist size, blood pressure, harmful triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol.
Side Effects and UK Launch Timeline
Digestive complaints remain the most common adverse effects with Foundayo, including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting and stomach discomfort.
Some patients also reported headaches, fatigue, heartburn, excess wind and temporary hair loss.
Between 5% and 10% of trial participants stopped taking the medication because of side effects, depending on dosage.
The MHRA is currently reviewing the treatment, with a private UK launch expected later this year.
As with Wegovy, NHS access would require separate approval from NICE.
Experts Highlight Different Strengths for Each Pill
Specialists believe both medicines could appeal to different groups of patients.
The Wegovy tablet currently appears to deliver greater average weight loss and offers proven metabolic benefits, but its daily fasting requirements and higher manufacturing costs may make it less convenient.
Foundayo, meanwhile, sacrifices some effectiveness in exchange for easier dosing and potentially lower long-term production costs.
Experts also suggest it could become an attractive maintenance therapy for patients transitioning away from injectable treatments after achieving significant weight loss.
As oral GLP-1 medications become more widely available, they are expected to offer patients greater flexibility in managing obesity while expanding access to one of the fastest-growing areas of modern medicine.
