The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first GLP-1 pill for weight loss and maintenance.

Drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced the approval of its oral Wegovy pill, an oral semaglutide medication, in a news release Monday.

"The FDA approval of Wegovy pill -- the first oral GLP-1 for adults with obesity and overweight with weight-related medical problems -- has the potential to impact millions of Americans," Dave Moore, executive vice president of Novo Nordisk Inc.'s U.S. operations, said in a statement. "People count on us for more than breakthrough medicines; they need better ways to access them. We will not let them down."

Novo Nordisk -- as well as some doctors -- has touted the oral Wegovy pill as a game-changer when it comes to weight-loss treatments, offering an alternative form that is cheaper to produce, doesn't have to be refrigerated and is suitable for people who cannot or don't prefer to take GLP-1 medications via injectables, currently the most prevalent form of the popular drugs.

"We are confident that the expansion of Wegovy to a pill will help patients who may have not sought or accepted treatment before," Moore said this week.

According to Novo Nordisk, a 64-week clinical trial with over 300 participants found that those with obesity or overweight who took the oral Wegovy pill once a day lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight for people who completed the trial, a similar amount to those who took the injectable form of Wegovy, which launched in 2021, on a weekly basis.

The trial showed people who took the pill experienced similar side effects as those on injectables, Novo Nordisk said, including gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Novo Nordisk competitor Eli Lilly is also manufacturing its version of a GLP-1 pill, orforglipron, which is expected to be approved by the FDA as well.

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Who can take the oral Wegovy pill?

The oral Wegovy pill is expected to be prescribed to people who are overweight and people with obesity, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines as having a body mass index of 30.0 or higher.

According to the CDC, obesity is a chronic condition impacting 1 in 5 children and 2 in 5 adults in the U.S.

The oral Wegovy pill is typically prescribed as part of a treatment plan that may include a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

In other cases, Wegovy may also be prescribed for certain patients to reduce the risk of heart disease.

According to Novo Nordisk, some people who already use Wegovy 2.4 mg injections may be able to switch to taking the 25 mg daily Wegovy pill after stopping use and then starting on the pill a week later.

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People taking the 25 mg Wegovy tablet can also switch to Wegovy injectables by starting a weekly dose the day after stopping the pill.

Anyone considering switching between dosages and different forms of Wegovy should consult their doctor before making any changes.

What's the difference between the oral Wegovy pill and the injection form?

Both the oral and injectable Wegovy contain semaglutide, but the oral Wegovy pill will be available in starting doses of 1.5 mg, whereas the injectables are available in 2.4 mg doses.

The oral Wegovy pill also requires a 30-minute waiting period after consumption before eating.

Injectable forms of Wegovy must be stored in a refrigerator between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Pill forms of Wegovy don't require refrigeration.

How much does the oral Wegovy pill cost?

Novo Nordisk said it will offer the oral Wegovy pill starting at about $149 for a monthlong supply without insurance.

With insurance, the co-pay for the oral Wegovy pill could be about $25 or less.

In November 2025, Novo Nordisk cut the price of Wegovy injectables, in 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg doses, offering a limited-time price of $199 per month for the first two months for those without insurance until March 2026. After the first two months, the injectables will cost $349 per month.

For Wegovy injectables in 2 mg doses, the cost is $499 per month without insurance.

With insurance, the cost of Wegovy injectables could be reduced or free.

When will the oral Wegovy pill be available?

According to Novo Nordisk, the oral Wegovy pill is slated to be in pharmacies by early January 2026, with manufacturing already underway in North Carolina.

The oral Wegovy pill will be available via prescription.