Wegovy’s UK weight loss pill is finally on sale and for less than £3 per tablet
Weight loss medication has had something of a makeover and from Friday (3 July), Brits will now be able to purchase it in pill form.
Although Wegovy was only previously available as an injectable, the semaglutide-based drug is now going on sale in the UK as a tablet that is taken once a day.
This no doubt comes as music to the ears of those who are squeamish when it comes to jabbing themselves and people who prefer a more convenient dosing method.
The Wegovy pill works in a very similar fashion to its sister, which comes as an injection, although there are some differences between the two.
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The tablet is taken orally once a day on an empty stomach and should be swallowed with just a sip of water to help your body absorb it properly. You can store them at room temperature too.
Meanwhile, the jabs that are manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk must be kept in the fridge and should be administered by users once a week.
Both of these GLP-1 medications can help overweight adults shed some pounds if you also implement a reduced-calorie diet and increase the amount of physical activity you're doing.
The Wegovy pills and jabs are both prescription-only and aren't available over the counter, but you can get your hands on them if you meet the eligibility requirements.
It's been available in tablet form in the US since the start of this year after the FDA approved this version in December 2025, but we're only just catching up on this side of the pond.
One woman in the States recently revealed she 'quickly started to notice a difference' in her physique after starting the medication, and says she has already lost more than 7kg after two months.
Superdrug Online Doctor is one of the pharmacies leading the charge in the UK and announced it will become the first provider to offer it to patients.
The retailer promised to give Brits the 'cheapest and most comprehensive access' to the new form of Wegovy, with prices starting at £79.
The Wegovy pill is set to be rolled out in stores at a later date, but for now, people have to head to Superdrug Online Doctor to try and get hold of it.
Patients must complete an online clinical assessment and will then receive ongoing support from medics, be able to pick the medication up the next day from their local Superdrug pharmacy and earn points on their purchase.
This helps people 'access its latest weight management service as quickly and as flexibly as possible', Superdrug Online Doctor said.
Dr Clair Grainger, a GP who works with the retailer, said there has already been 'strong interest' in the Wegovy pill.
"With prescribing now underway, people can now complete their consultation and access treatment if clinically appropriate, whether that’s online, in pharmacy, or in clinic," she said.
"Obesity is a complex medical issue, and any treatment will only be prescribed following a thorough clinical assessment against eligibility criteria."
Asda Online Doctor and LloydsPharmacy are also set to jump on the Wegovy pill bandwagon, as the tablets are now 'available for pre-order' on their websites.
Are there any side effects of the Wegovy tablets?
The most common side effects of the medicine are gastrointestinal disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
As with any medicine, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) keeps the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide under close review.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief of the Independent Pharmacies Association, told The Sun that many people think the tablet would be a safer alternative than the jabs.
"We are seeing a lot of demand and interest for the pill," she said. "Many patients are waiting for it because they feel it is easier and more motivating than injecting."
'These are still powerful prescription medicines'
Abdal Alvi, Chief Clinical Officer at Simple Online Healthcare, added: "We welcome the MHRA’s approval of the Wegovy pill. For many people, a tablet may feel more familiar and less daunting than an injection, and oral GLP-1s have the potential to widen access to effective obesity treatment."
But he warned: "It is important that patients understand these are still powerful prescription medicines. They need to be used correctly, under appropriate clinical supervision, and alongside lifestyle change and ongoing support."
Alvi explained that while a tablet may appear like a simpler solution, ‘patients should be aware that the tablets work under specific conditions’, and even ‘small changes in how it is taken will considerably affect how well the medication works’.
While this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not currently available via the NHS. As with all new treatments, decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Olivia Burke