Novo Nordisk has launched the Wegovy pill in the U.S., the first oral GLP-1 for adult weight loss. Learn about availability, benefits, pricing, and safety.
Written By: Pharmacally Medical News Desk
Novo Nordisk has started broad distribution of the Wegovy® pill in the United States, marking the first time an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management is widely accessible to adults with obesity or overweight and related health conditions. The launch follows regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025.
The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Semaglutide has a well-established history in diabetes and obesity treatment, including injectable formulations marketed under the names Wegovy and Ozempic. As a daily oral medication, the Wegovy pill offers an alternative to weekly injections, appealing to patients who prefer tablets over injectables and improving convenience.
The new pill is intended to be used along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help patients lose weight and maintain weight loss. It’s also approved to help reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with established cardiovascular disease who are living with overweight or obesity.
Novo Nordisk has made the Wegovy pill broadly available at major U.S. retail pharmacies, including CVS and Costco, and through telehealth partners such as Ro, LifeMD, WeightWatchers, Godar’s telehealth offerings, and its own NovoCare Pharmacy direct-to-patient platform. The company says it is distributing the medication widely from day one to meet anticipated demand and expand access.
Pricing for self-pay patients starts at around $149 per month for lower doses, with higher doses (including 9 mg and 25 mg) priced at about $299 per month. For some insured patients, out-of-pocket costs could be significantly lower, potentially around $25 per month with insurance coverage.
Clinical data supporting the Wegovy pill draw on late-stage OASIS-4 trials showing weight-loss effects comparable to injectable semaglutide formulations, with many participants achieving notable reductions in body weight over a typical treatment period. Side effects observed in trials are similar to those seen with injectable GLP-1 drugs and include gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and diarrhea.
This launch arrives amid a competitive landscape in weight-loss therapies. Other companies, including Eli Lilly, are advancing oral GLP-1 drugs through regulatory review. Novo Nordisk hopes the convenience and pricing of its pill will help it regain market share and make effective weight-loss treatment more accessible.
The broad availability of the Wegovy pill represents a significant shift in how obesity and weight-related health risks can be managed, expanding options beyond injections and lifestyle changes alone. As always, patients should consult healthcare professionals to discuss whether Wegovy is appropriate for their individual health needs.
Reference
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy® pill, the first and only oral GLP-1 for weight loss in adults, now broadly available across America, 05 January 2026, News Details
Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy Pill Wins FDA Approval Following OASIS Trial Results, 23 December 2025, https://pharmacally.com/novo-nordisks-wegovy-pill-wins-fda-approval-following-oasis-trial-results/
Can oral Semaglutide (Wegovy) 25 mg replace the Once-Weekly 2.4 mg Injection for Obesity? 25 September 2025, https://pharmacally.com/can-oral-semaglutide-wegovy-25-mg-replace-the-once-weekly-2-4-mg-injection-for-obesity/