FDA Approves Pill Form of Popular Weight Loss Drug Wegovy
In a significant development in the fight against obesity, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a pill form of Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s widely used weight-loss medication. The approval gives the Danish pharmaceutical giant a major advantage in the race to bring an effective oral treatment for chronic weight management to market, Reuters reported.
The newly approved pill contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide — the same active ingredient found in injectable Wegovy and the diabetes drug Ozempic. While Wegovy has until now been available only as a weekly injection, the pill offers patients a once-daily oral alternative, potentially making the treatment accessible to a far broader population. Novo Nordisk already markets an oral semaglutide, Rybelsus, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
According to data from a 64-week late-stage clinical trial, patients who took 25 mg of oral semaglutide once daily lost an average of 16.6 percent of their body weight. By comparison, those who received a placebo lost just 2.7 percent. Researchers noted that the weight loss achieved with the pill was comparable to results seen with injectable versions of the drug, a key factor in the FDA’s decision.
The FDA approved the pill for chronic weight management in adults with obesity, as well as those who are overweight and have at least one related health condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or high cholesterol. This expanded indication significantly broadens the pool of eligible patients at a time when obesity rates continue to rise both in the United States and globally.
Health experts have long pointed to obesity as a driver of numerous chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Insurers, employers, and governments are increasingly grappling with the soaring healthcare costs associated with these conditions. An effective oral medication could lower barriers to treatment, particularly for patients who are hesitant to use injectable drugs.
Market analysts estimate that the global market for obesity treatments could reach as much as $150 billion annually by the early 2030s. With this approval, Novo Nordisk positions itself at the forefront of that rapidly expanding market, while intensifying competition with rival drugmakers developing similar oral weight-loss therapies.
For patients, the approval represents more than a commercial milestone: it offers a new, potentially easier-to-use option in addressing a serious and widespread health challenge.
