WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. regulators this week approved an oral version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, marking a major milestone in the treatment of obesity and expanding options beyond injectable medications, health officials and drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted clearance for the first daily pill designed specifically for weight management in adults, a development that could broaden access and lower barriers for many patients living with obesity.
The pill contains semaglutide, the active ingredient used in injectables such as Wegovy and Ozempic. Semaglutide mimics a natural hormone that helps control appetite and feelings of fullness, leading to significant weight loss in clinical trials. The new oral formulation is expected to become available in the United States in early January 2026, giving Novo Nordisk an edge over rival medications still under review.
The FDA’s approval follows results from late-stage clinical studies showing that daily users of the oral Wegovy pill experienced meaningful weight loss compared with placebo groups, mirroring the effectiveness seen with weekly injections. Analysts say the convenience of a once-daily tablet could attract patients who prefer not to take injectable medications and may improve adherence and long-term outcomes.
Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy is also expected to intensify competition in the obesity drug market, where scores of oral medications are in development and companies are vying to gain market share. Eli Lilly’s oral obesity drug, orforglipron, is still under review by federal regulators and could follow Wegovy’s approval in the weeks ahead.
Healthcare experts say the approval represents a significant shift in how obesity may be managed, potentially reaching patients who previously struggled with injections or lacked access to regular clinical visits. However, questions remain about cost, insurance coverage and long-term safety monitoring as broader use begins.
Government and industry observers note that the newfound availability of an effective daily oral medication could reshape not only patient choices but also public health approaches to obesity, a condition that affects millions of Americans and contributes to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
