Key Summary
- Patients currently treated with a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection once weekly can use semaglutide 25 mg tablets once daily.
- The decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by NICE.
- The Wegovy tablet should be taken in an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours, and after taking it, no food or drink should be taken for at least 30 minutes.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on Thursday (11) approved Novo Nordisk's semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet for weight loss and weight management in the UK.
Alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, the GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet may now be prescribed to adults in the UK with obesity, who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above, or who are overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related comorbidity.
The starting dose for the semaglutide tablet is 1.5 mg once daily, increasing to 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg with a minimum duration of one month at each dose level.
Patients currently treated privately with a 2.4 mg semaglutide injection once weekly can be transitioned straight to semaglutide 25 mg tablets once daily.
MHRA executive director of healthcare quality and access Julian Beach said, “Having met the MHRA’s rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management.
“As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication.”
While this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not currently available via the NHS.
The decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Significant announcement: Picard
Commenting on the MHRA's decision, National Pharmacy Association chair Olivier Picard said, "This is a very significant announcement that will have a major impact on people trying to achieve a healthy weight through weight loss treatment.
"This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine and may also bring down the cost of treatment in the long run.
"Pharmacies are awaiting further guidance about when this treatment will be available for patients.
"However, we are concerned about a growing black market for counterfeit weight loss treatments, with a tablet form of medication potentially easier for criminals to counterfeit.
"Patients must only ever obtain weight loss medication, properly prescribed and dispensed by a regulated pharmacy. Unregulated providers may be selling faked medicines or medicines that do not meet the strict safety standards we have in the UK."
Pharmacy2U chief medical officer Dr Kieran Seyan said, “The approval of a new prescription-only oral weight management medicine is an important development in obesity care.
“As treatment options evolve, patients should have access to clear, balanced clinical guidance on the different approaches available and what is appropriate for their individual needs.
"The NHS estimates that about 1 in 10 people experience needle phobia, and a wider range of formulations may help clinicians support patients for whom injections are a significant barrier to adherence. That said, these medicines may not be suitable for everyone and should only be prescribed after a thorough assessment by a qualified clinician.
“The availability of an oral option does not change the need for lifestyle support, dietary measures, monitoring and ongoing clinical follow-up as part of good weight management care.
“As public interest in medicated weight management grows, it is increasingly important that patients use reputable clinical services rather than unregulated online sources or counterfeit products. Innovation in this area is welcome, but it must be matched by responsible prescribing, good patient information and follow-up.”
Dr Mitra Dutt, Associate Medical Director at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, said, “The arrival of new treatment options also brings the question of NHS capacity into sharper focus.
"Demand for medicated weight management has grown significantly, and the role of community pharmacy in supporting access to appropriate care is a welcome step. Yet provision will need to keep pace with rising public interest if it is to meet patient needs effectively.
“Recent reporting has highlighted the rise of counterfeit and black-market weight-loss treatments. As public interest grows, it is important that patients can access regulated clinical pathways rather than turning to unregulated sources and putting themselves at risk.
"What matters most is that people are properly assessed, understand their options and are supported through a structured care pathway. Good obesity management should include a thorough consultation and wraparound care, including appropriate monitoring, follow-up and lifestyle support.
"Providers have a responsibility to make sure services are rigorous, evidence-led and able to support patients appropriately as treatment options evolve.”
Instructions for use
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and it works by mimicking the action of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which is released by the body after eating.
Semaglutide acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings.
As a result, it can help people eat less and support weight reduction alongside appropriate diet and lifestyle measures.
The semaglutide tablet should be taken whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least 8 hours with a sip of water.
After taking it, no food or drink should be taken for at least thirty minutes. Eating or drinking less than 30 minutes after taking a semaglutide tablet lowers its absorption.
