FDA Greenlights Wegovy: The First Oral Weight Loss Pill
In a landmark move for obesity treatment, the FDA has given the green light to Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy pill. This marks the first GLP-1 medication in pill form approved for weight loss. The pharmaceutical giant announced the approval on December 22, 2025, with the medication set to hit pharmacy shelves in early January 2026.
The once-daily pill showcased remarkable results in clinical trials. Participants lost an average of 16.6% of their body weight after 64 weeks—comparable to the injectable version. The oral version, unlike its injectable counterpart, doesn’t require refrigeration and offers a more convenient option for those uncomfortable with needles.
Novo Nordisk has priced the starting dose at $149 per month for cash-paying patients. This is significantly lower than the injectable version’s monthly cost of $199-$499. With insurance, co-pays could drop to as low as $25 per month. The company expects manufacturing to ramp up quickly at its North Carolina facilities to avoid the shortages that plagued the injectable launch.
This approval sets the stage for intensified competition with rival Eli Lilly. Their oral obesity pill, orforglipron, is expected to receive FDA approval in early 2026. Wall Street analysts project the combined oral and injectable GLP-1 drug market could exceed $100 billion annually by 2030.
Source: NBC News