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FDA Approves Oral Version of Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy

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Dec 23, 2025

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy on Monday, making it the first daily oral GLP-1 medication for treating obesity. The drug, from manufacturer Novo Nordisk, is also approved to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. The company stated it plans to launch the pill in the U.S. in early January 2026.

The approval gives Novo Nordisk a competitive advantage over Eli Lilly, whose own oral weight-loss drug, orforglipron, is still under FDA review. Following the news, Novo Nordisk's stock closed 9.2% higher on Tuesday. One analyst described the approval as a key competitive tool against Eli Lilly. Novo Nordisk has also submitted the pill for approval to the European Medicines Agency and other regulators.

The Wegovy pill is designed to mimic a natural hormone to control appetite. According to clinical trial data, the oral version produced significant weight loss nearly comparable to its injectable counterpart. As with other GLP-1 medications, common side effects include nausea and diarrhea.

Novo Nordisk announced that a starting dose will be available for $149 per month through some providers and pharmacies with savings offers. The medication has a specific dosing requirement: it must be taken on an empty stomach with water 30 minutes before eating or drinking. According to an analyst, this restriction could be a challenge for patient compliance, noting that Eli Lilly’s pending drug does not have this requirement.

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• The drug’s strict dosing requirements may hinder patient adherence. The medication must be taken on an empty stomach with water precisely 30 minutes before consuming any food or drink. According to an analyst, this specific restriction could present a challenge for patient compliance, noting that a competing drug from Eli Lilly does not have this requirement.

• The medication is associated with common gastrointestinal side effects. As with other GLP-1 medications, the oral version of Wegovy comes with known side effects. The article notes that common adverse effects for patients include both nausea and diarrhea.

• The announced pricing is limited to a starting dose with special offers. Novo Nordisk stated that a starting dose will be available for $149 per month, but this price is contingent on using certain providers and pharmacies that have savings offers. The article does not specify the cost of the medication beyond this initial dose or without these promotional offers.

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• An oral pill for treating obesity and reducing cardiovascular risk will be available starting in 2026, providing an alternative to injectable medications.

• The medication requires a strict dosing schedule, as it must be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before eating, potentially affecting a user's daily routine.

• The announced $149 monthly price is for a starting dose with savings offers; the full, long-term cost for patients is not specified in the article.

• Patients using the drug may experience common side effects, including nausea and diarrhea, which are associated with this class of medication.

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