• Active ingredient: semaglutide
• Format: daily tablet
• How to take it: on an empty stomach, with <120ml of water (then wait at least 30 mins before eating, drinking or taking other medication)
• Medication class: GLP-1
• Doses: 1.5mg (light green label); 4mg (pink); 9mg (brown); 25mg (black)
• Pills per prescription/bottle: 30 (30 days’ treatment)
• Typical results: clinical trials achieved up to 14% weight loss
• Support included: WhatsApp support and weekly check-ins with a named health coach
• Eligibility criteria: BMI 30+ or 27+ with weight related health issues; adults 18-74
• UK availability status: available by private prescription to eligible adults who meet the prescribing criteria
• Available on the NHS? No.

Both Wegovy tablets and Wegovy injections contain semaglutide and work in similar ways in the body.

The main difference is how the medication is taken.

For some people, a daily tablet may feel easier than giving themselves an injection. Others may prefer a weekly injection so they do not need to take medication every day.

Both options aim to help people reduce appetite and achieve meaningful weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.

In terms of effectiveness, clinical studies have shown that the highest dose of Wegovy injections can help facilitate weight loss of up to 20.7%, and Wegovy tablets have helped participants achieve an average of 14% weight loss.

Important: Treatment suitability depends on individual clinical assessment. Weight loss results vary between patients based on dose, adherence, lifestyle, and medical history.

Wegovy tablets are a prescription medication: a tablet form of semaglutide, designed to support weight loss.

Semaglutide belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medicines mimic a hormone in the body that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels.

Wegovy injections already use semaglutide and are widely prescribed in many countries for weight management. The tablet version contains the same active ingredient but is taken by mouth rather than injected under the skin.

In the United States, some people refer to these treatments as “Wegovy pills”. In the UK, the term “tablets” is more commonly used.

The tablet form is designed to offer another way of taking semaglutide for people who prefer not to use injections.

You may prefer Wegovy tablets if you:

• Want to avoid injections – ideal if you dislike needles or simply prefer taking tablets
• Are looking for a more affordable option – tablets are expected to cost less than injectable GLP-1 treatments
• Prefer a more discreet treatment – no pens, needles, or injections to manage
• Travel frequently – tablets are simpler to carry and easier to fit into your routine
• Want a lower-friction starting point – a good option if you’re interested in prescription weight loss treatment but not ready for injections
• Are thinking about long-term maintenance – tablets may suit some patients looking for a lower-intensity maintenance option after initial weight loss

That said, tablets won’t be the right choice for everyone.

Wegovy injections are likely to deliver faster and greater weight loss for many patients, and some people may find a once-weekly injection easier to stick to than a tablet that needs to be taken every day, following specific instructions.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, our clinicians can help you choose the treatment that best matches your goals, preferences, and medical history.

Wegovy tablets work in the same general way as Wegovy injections because they contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide.

Semaglutide mimics a naturally occurring hormone in the body called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). This hormone plays an important role in regulating appetite and blood sugar levels.

GLP-1 medicines help with weight loss by:

• reducing appetite
• helping you feel full sooner during meals
• helping you stay full for longer after eating
• reducing cravings and “food noise”

These effects can make it easier to eat fewer calories and maintain a calorie deficit, which is necessary for weight loss.

As with injections, semaglutide tablets are intended to be used alongside healthy lifestyle changes such as improved diet and regular physical activity.

Wegovy tablet prices from Medicspot are as follows:

1.5mg = £TBC (30 day supply) for your first month; £TBC in subsequent months.

4mg = £TBC (30 day supply) for your first month; £TBC in subsequent months.

9mg = £TBC (30 day supply) for your first month; £TBC in subsequent months.

25mg = £TBC (30 day supply) for your first month; £TBC in subsequent months.

Yes, Wegovy tablets are now available in the UK for weight loss treatment.

Before any new medication can be offered in the UK, it must first be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. This process ensures that the medicine is safe, effective, and manufactured to appropriate standards, and has now been completed.

Clinical studies suggest that semaglutide tablets can lead to significant weight loss compared with a placebo.

In one large study lasting 64 weeks, participants taking the highest dose of semaglutide tablets experienced an average weight loss of around 14% of their starting body weight.

The results showed that:

• around 75% participants lost at least 5% of their starting weight
• around 60% lost at least 10%
• around 47% lost at least 15%
• around 28% lost at least 20%

These results suggest that tablet forms of semaglutide can be an effective option for supporting weight loss.

However, studies of injectable semaglutide have generally shown slightly greater average weight loss than the tablet version.

Several medications are used in the UK to support weight loss. These include injectable treatments and tablets that work in different ways.

Mounjaro is another injectable medication used for weight loss. It works by activating two hormones involved in appetite regulation. Clinical trials suggest that the highest doses can produce greater average weight loss than semaglutide tablets.

Orlistat is a tablet that works differently. Instead of affecting appetite, it reduces the amount of fat absorbed from food. Weight loss with orlistat is generally more modest.

Mysimba is another tablet treatment that affects appetite and food cravings through the brain’s reward pathways. Average weight loss is typically lower than that seen in GLP-1 medications.

Overall, GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide tend to produce greater average weight loss than older weight loss tablets.

Wegovy tablets are taken once a day.

To help the medication work properly, they are usually taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Typical guidance includes:

• swallowing the tablet whole
• taking it with a small amount of water
• waiting at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else
• waiting before taking other medications

The dose is usually increased gradually over time. This allows the body to adjust to the medication and can help reduce the risk of side effects.

An example dosing schedule studied in trials includes starting on a low dose and increasing over several months until the maintenance dose is reached.

Because Wegovy tablets are not yet available in the UK, the exact doses that will eventually be offered have not been confirmed. However, clinical trials studying tablet forms of semaglutide give a good indication of the strengths that may be used.

In studies of oral semaglutide for weight loss, participants typically started on a low dose and gradually increased to a higher maintenance dose over several weeks. This gradual increase helps the body adjust to the medication and can reduce the likelihood of side effects.

The tablet doses studied in weight loss trials include:

• 1.5 mg (bottle with light green label)
• 4 mg (bottle with pink label)
• 9 mg (bottle with brown label)
• 25 mg (bottle with black label)

In these studies, the lower doses are used at the beginning of treatment, with the dose increased roughly every four weeks until the maintenance dose is reached.

The 25 mg tablet has been the main dose studied for long-term weight management and has shown significant weight loss results in clinical trials when taken once daily.

Researchers have also investigated higher doses such as 50 mg in some studies to explore whether greater weight loss may be possible.

The final dosing schedule available to patients in the UK will depend on regulatory approval and manufacturer guidance. If approved, doctors would normally start patients on a low dose and gradually increase it until the most effective and well-tolerated dose is reached.

As with other GLP-1 medications, dose increases would always need to be guided by a healthcare professional.

Like all medications, semaglutide tablets can cause side effects in some people.

These side effects are usually mild and often improve as the body adjusts to the medication.

Common side effects reported in studies include:

• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach discomfort
• bloating
• headache
• tiredness

Side effects are most common when first starting the medication or after increasing the dose. Because Wegovy tablets are an oral medication some people find that the side gastro-intestinal side effects are stronger than with the injection. On the other hand, tablets avoid other injection-related side effects, such as soreness or a rash around the injection site.

If semaglutide tablets are approved in the UK for weight loss, full prescribing information will be provided with detailed safety guidance.

Final eligibility criteria for semaglutide tablets in the UK will depend on regulatory approval and prescribing guidelines.

However, it is likely that similar criteria to current GLP-1 treatments will apply.

These typically include:

• a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher
• a BMI of 27 or higher with a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure

Doctors will also consider a person’s medical history, current medications, and overall health before prescribing treatment.

Semaglutide medications are not suitable for everyone, and a medical assessment is always required before starting treatment.

The NHS may eventually consider Wegovy tablets as part of obesity treatment pathways.

Wegovy injections are currently available on the NHS for some patients through specialist weight management services, but access is very limited and usually requires referral to a specialist programme. The criteria for these programmes varies, but is often a BMI of 40+ plus additional weight-related health conditions.

However, many people currently access GLP-1 medications through private providers due to the limited availability of NHS programmes.

If you miss a dose, need to pause treatment, or are thinking about stopping Wegovy tablets altogether, it’s important to understand what to expect.

Like other GLP-1 weight loss treatments, Wegovy tablets work by helping to reduce appetite and food cravings while supporting healthier eating habits. If treatment is paused or stopped, these effects may gradually wear off over time.

For many patients, this means appetite can return, making it harder to maintain weight loss without ongoing support or lifestyle changes.

If you miss a dose

Because Wegovy tablets are taken daily, consistency matters.

Missing the occasional dose may not significantly affect your progress, but repeated missed doses can reduce effectiveness and make it harder to maintain steady treatment.

If you’re unsure what to do after missing a dose, our clinical team can advise you based on your current treatment stage.

If you need to pause treatment

Some patients may need to temporarily pause treatment due to:

• Side effects
• Illness
• Travel
• Surgery
• Changes in other medications
• Clinical advice

Depending on how long treatment has been paused, you may need to restart at a lower dose rather than resuming where you left off.

This is because reintroducing GLP-1 treatment too quickly after a break may increase the risk of side effects such as nausea or vomiting.

What happens if you stop Wegovy tablets?

Stopping treatment doesn’t mean you’ve failed, but it does mean the medication’s appetite-suppressing effects will no longer continue.

For some patients, this can lead to:

• Increased hunger
• Stronger food cravings
• Gradual weight regain
• More difficulty maintaining previous habits

Weight regain after stopping GLP-1 treatment is common, particularly without a longer-term maintenance plan in place.

Planning for long-term success

For many people, successful weight management is about more than medication alone.

That’s why Medicspot focuses on helping patients build sustainable habits around:

• Nutrition
• Physical activity
• Behaviour change
• Accountability
• Ongoing clinical support – for 12 months after you stop taking the medication.

If you’re considering stopping treatment, our clinicians can help you decide whether pausing, switching, maintenance treatment, or a longer-term support plan may be the right next step.