The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first ever pill version of Wegovy, a well known weight loss drug made by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk. This decision marks a major step forward in obesity treatment, especially for people who prefer pills over injections.
Until now, Wegovy has only been available as a weekly injection. With this approval, patients will soon have access to a once daily oral option that delivers similar weight loss results. According to Novo Nordisk, the pill offers the same effectiveness as the injectable form, making weight loss treatment more accessible and easier to follow.
The approval also places Wegovy ahead of similar drugs such as Ozempic. While Ozempic is widely used for weight loss, it was originally approved to treat Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy, on the other hand, was specifically approved for weight management, and now its pill form strengthens its position in the market.
Novo Nordisk shared results from clinical trials involving nearly 1,300 participants. The company reported that people taking the Wegovy pill lost an average of 16.6 percent of their body weight. Even more impressive, around one third of participants achieved weight loss of 20 percent or more during the study period.
Mike Doustdar, chief executive of Novo Nordisk, said patients will benefit from a convenient daily pill that helps them lose as much weight as the original injection. This convenience could improve treatment consistency, especially for those who are uncomfortable with needles or weekly shots.
The Wegovy pill is expected to launch in the United States in early January 2026. Its arrival comes at a critical time for Novo Nordisk. The company has faced a tough year, with declining share prices after issuing profit warnings. Increased competition from other weight loss drugmakers, including Eli Lilly, has also added pressure.
