Pharmaceutical manufacturer Novo Nordisk announced Monday that its widely-used weight-loss medication Wegovy is now accessible in pill form, beginning with the starter dosage. Additional strength options will become available in pharmacies by week’s end.
Pricing Structure and Accessibility
The oral formulation, requiring a prescription, typically presents a more economical option than the weekly injection for consumers paying out-of-pocket who purchase directly from Novo Nordisk without utilizing insurance coverage. The medication’s historically high cost previously placed it beyond reach for numerous individuals seeking weight management solutions, particularly since many commercial insurance policies exclude coverage for obesity treatment.
Following a recent agreement with the Trump administration, the 1.5 mg introductory pill dosage costs $149 monthly for cash-paying patients. The 4 mg strength maintains the same price point through April 15, subsequently increasing to $199. Higher concentrations—9 mg and 25 mg doses—carry a $299 monthly price tag, according to manufacturer pricing.
The injectable alternative costs self-paying consumers $349 monthly, though new users can access the two lowest dosages for $199 each for two months through March, per Novo Nordisk’s promotional offering.
Insurance beneficiaries whose plans include obesity coverage may pay as little as $25 monthly for either formulation through Novo Nordisk’s savings initiative. The pill can be obtained through retail pharmacies, select telehealth platforms, NovoCare Pharmacy, and additional outlets.
Beyond weight management, Wegovy carries approval for reducing cardiovascular event risks—including heart attack, stroke, and mortality—in overweight or obese adults with existing cardiac conditions.
Regulatory Approval and Efficacy
The Food and Drug Administration granted approval for the daily pill version in late December. Clinical trial data from Novo Nordisk indicates the oral medication demonstrates comparable weight reduction outcomes and adverse effects profiles to the injection formulation.
Both versions utilize semaglutide as their active pharmaceutical ingredient, which also powers Ozempic, Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication.
Competitor Eli Lilly, producing diabetes drug Mounjaro and obesity treatment Zepbound, is simultaneously developing an oral GLP-1 medication currently designated orforglipron pending brand name assignment. FDA approval is anticipated by summer, with availability at the $149 introductory price under the Trump administration agreement. Subsequent orforglipron doses may cost up to $399 for cash-paying patients.
Market Penetration and Performance
GLP-1 medications have achieved remarkable popularity since market introduction several years ago. According to KFF, a health policy research organization, approximately one in eight American adults currently uses these medications.
While the Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly formulations haven’t undergone direct comparative trials, independent studies reveal distinct outcomes. The Wegovy pill demonstrated average weight reduction of 14% over 64 weeks, compared with 2% for placebo groups. Orforglipron showed 11% weight loss over 72 weeks at maximum dosage, versus 2% for placebo recipients.
Injectable Wegovy achieved 15% weight loss in pivotal trials, compared with 2% for placebo groups. Zepbound demonstrated 21% reduction at highest dosage, versus 3% for placebo participants.
Side Effects and Administration
Gastrointestinal disturbances including nausea and vomiting represent the most frequently reported adverse effects with GLP-1 drugs, patterns observed in oral formulation studies. Seven percent of Wegovy pill trial participants discontinued treatment due to side effects, compared with 6% on placebo. Orforglipron studies saw discontinuation rates reaching 10%, versus 3% for placebo groups.
A notable distinction involves administration requirements: Wegovy pills must be consumed on an empty stomach with minimal water, with patients instructed to avoid eating, drinking, or taking other medications for 30 minutes afterward. Rybelsus, a semaglutide pill approved for diabetes, hasn’t achieved widespread adoption partly due to similar restrictions, physicians report.
Lilly emphasizes that clinical trials demonstrated orforglipron flexibility—once-daily administration at any time without food or water restrictions.
