The price of the new Wegovy weight loss pills has been revealed after Novo Nordisk confirmed the tablets have gone on sale for the first time in the United States.
While the launch does not yet include the UK, the move is being closely watched by British health experts, private clinics, and NHS decision-makers.
This comes as Novo Nordisk continues to reshape its pricing strategy, having already made changes to injectable treatments, including cutting Ozempic and Wegovy prices to $199 in a move aimed at widening access.
The pill version contains the same active ingredient as the well-known Wegovy and Ozempic injections and could significantly change how obesity is treated in the future.
What exactly are Wegovy weight loss pills?
Wegovy weight loss pills are a once-daily oral tablet containing semaglutide, a drug that helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. Semaglutide has already become widely used in injection form for both weight loss and type 2 diabetes.
Until now, people seeking medical weight loss with semaglutide have needed weekly injections. For many patients, this has been a barrier due to cost, access issues, or a simple fear of needles.
The tablet version removes that hurdle, making treatment feel more familiar and easier to fit into daily life.
Novo Nordisk “We now have injectable-like efficacy in a once-daily pill,” said David Moore, Executive Vice President of Novo Nordisk’s US operations, speaking to The Wall Street Journal. “And that’s a change from where we’ve been.”
How much do Wegovy weight loss pills cost?
Novo Nordisk confirmed the pricing for self-paying patients in the US from 5 January. The cost varies depending on the dosage strength, with higher doses priced at a premium.
Monthly Wegovy pill prices
| Dose strength | Monthly price (USD) | Approx UK equivalent (£)* |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 mg | $149 | ~£117 |
| 4 mg | $149 (rising to $199 from 15 April) | ~£117 → £156 |
| 9 mg | $299 | ~£235 |
| 25 mg | $299 | ~£235 |
UK prices are approximate conversions for comparison only.
Even at the highest dose, the pills are far cheaper than injectable Wegovy in the US, which can cost over $1,000 (£780+) per month without insurance.
Why is this launch relevant to the UK?
Although the tablets are not yet approved for use in Britain, the US decision matters because UK regulators often assess medicines already cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Obesity rates in the UK remain high, and demand for Wegovy injections through private clinics has surged over the past year.
If approved, the pill could appeal to UK patients who have avoided injections due to:
- discomfort with needles
- high private prescription costs
- limited access through NHS weight management services
The availability of a tablet may also ease pressure on clinics struggling to meet growing demand.
Are Wegovy pills as effective as injections?
According to clinical data reviewed by US regulators, higher-dose Wegovy tablets produced weight loss results close to those seen with injections when taken consistently.
Doctors stress that tablets are not expected to replace injections entirely, but they add an important new option.
“This is a meaningful step forward in the field,” said Dr Christopher McGowan, a gastroenterologist who runs a weight loss clinic in North Carolina.
“It won’t replace injectables, but it importantly broadens our tool kit.” He added that pills feel more natural for many patients and are less intimidating than injections.
How does this compare with current UK treatments?
In the UK, medical weight loss options are still limited. Injectable Wegovy is available through specialist NHS referrals and private clinics, while other tablets on the market generally deliver less dramatic results.
Novo Nordisk already sells Rybelsus, an oral semaglutide tablet, in the UK for type 2 diabetes, which strengthens expectations that a weight loss version could follow.
When might Wegovy weight loss pills reach the UK?
There is no confirmed UK release date. However, experts expect the MHRA to review the drug following US approval, with NICE later deciding whether it should be offered on the NHS. As seen with injectable Wegovy, private prescriptions would likely become available first.
UK patients are advised to avoid online sellers claiming to offer Wegovy pills now, as unregulated products pose serious health risks.
