US FDA approves first Wegovy weight-loss tablet
It is the first oral medicine of its kind to receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
A tablet version of the blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy has been approved for use in the United States, drugmaker Novo Nordisk has announced.
It is the first oral medicine of its kind to receive approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), marking a significant expansion of treatment options for people living with obesity, according to the company.
The new once-daily pill is designed to deliver similar weight-loss results to the existing injectable Wegovy, which was previously authorised by the FDA specifically for weight management. By contrast, related drugs such as Ozempic were initially approved to treat Type 2 diabetes, even though they can also lead to substantial weight loss.
Novo Nordisk said clinical trials involving around 1,300 participants showed an average body weight reduction of 16.6% for those taking the tablet. About one in three trial participants lost 20% or more of their body weight.
The company plans to introduce the pill in the US market in early January 2026.
“Patients will have a convenient, once-daily pill that can help them lose as much weight as the original Wegovy injection,” Novo Nordisk chief executive Mike Doustdar said.
The oral version is expected to strengthen Novo Nordisk’s position in the highly competitive weight-loss market, where it faces pressure from rivals such as Eli Lilly. Following the announcement, the company’s shares jumped by almost 10% in after-hours trading in New York.
