Wegovy pills

Wegovy is a prescription weight loss treatment that contains the active ingredient semaglutide. It can reduce appetite, regulate blood sugar, and slow digestion. When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise, it can help you lose weight.

While originally in the form of a once-weekly injection, it has recently been manufactured by Novo Nordisk as a daily pill, offering an option for people who prefer oral medicines to injections.

While they contain the same active ingredient and work in the same way, there are some key differences between Wegovy injections and Wegovy pills:

Wegovy: Injection vs Pill

Administration

Injection

Delivered under the skin via needle

Pill

Taken orally

Dosing

Injection

0.25–7.2 _mg

Pill

1.5–25 _mg

Dosing schedule

Injection

Once weekly

Pill

Once daily

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide. This works by mimicking a hormone found naturally in the body called GLP-1. This can help you lose weight in three main ways:

• Reduces appetite: Semaglutide signals to the brain that you are full, reducing cravings and making you eat less.
• Delays gastric emptying: It also makes food stay in your stomach for longer. This means you stay fuller for longer after eating a meal.
• Balances blood sugar: Semaglutide makes the pancreas produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high. This can help stabilise energy levels and reduce cravings.

By working in these three ways, Wegovy helps you eat less without constant cravings and hunger. When combined with regular exercise, this can lead to significant weight loss over time.

Wegovy pills offer several benefits that can make them highly effective in your weight loss journey:

• Convenient once-daily pill. No injections.
• Reduces appetite and makes you feel fuller for longer.
• Can improve heart health, and is approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events.
• Can help regulate blood sugar levels.

Wegovy pills can help you lose up to 17% of your total weight within 64 weeks, according to a clinical trial. However, you could lose more or less based on your individual health profile, and adherence to a calorie-restricted diet and regular exercise routine.

How long does it take to work?

While you should feel the effects of Wegovy pills within 4 weeks of taking them, weight loss happens gradually, so it can take months before you see a significant change on the scales.

Peak effects should be felt once you reach the maintenance dose of 25 mg, which usually takes 3 months. After this point, weight loss should be more obvious.

Wegovy pills vs injections

Wegovy pills and injections work in the same way to help you lose weight, and should offer comparable weight loss results. However, clinical trial data on the injections shows it may be slightly more effective than the pills.

Time it

Take your pill first thing in the morning after fasting for at least 8 hours.

Take it

Swallow whole with water. Avoid ingesting anything else for 30 minutes afterwards.

Repeat

Take one tablet at the same time every morning.

Do not:

• Crush or chew the pills
• Take more than the prescribed amount
• Take pills that look damaged or discoloured
• Take a pill with a liquid other than water
• Store Wegovy pills outside the original container

Wegovy pills come in 4 doses: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg.

If it’s your first time taking a GLP-1 for weight loss, you’ll start on 1.5 mg, then work your way up every month until you reach 25 mg. This is done to ensure your body gets used to the medicine gradually, which lowers the risk of side effects.

If you want to stay on a lower dosage, that’s fine too. Conversely, if you move up a dose and it starts to give you side effects, you can go back down to a lower one.

How long should I take it for?

Wegovy pills are safe to take long term. As long as you aren’t experiencing side effects, you can continue taking Wegovy to maintain a healthy weight. However, many people choose to stop once they reach a predetermined weight goal.

It’s important to build healthy habits while taking Wegovy so you don’t put the weight back on after you stop.

Can I switch from Wegovy injections to pills?

Yes, you can switch from Wegovy injections to pills and vice versa.

All that’s needed is at least 4 weeks on your current dose with minimal side effects, and a gap of 7 days before switching. Our doctors can recommend an equivalent dose during your consultation if you wish to switch treatment form.

Most side effects are mild and should disappear once your body gets used to the medicine.

The most common side effects of Wegovy pills are:

• nausea
• vomiting
• constipation
• stomach pain
• headache
• fatigue
• heartburn

For a full list of side effects, including rare and more serious ones, consult the patient information leaflet sent with your order.

Are side effects similar to the injections?

The most common side effects from Wegovy are roughly the same, whether you take the pills or the injection. That includes nausea, headache, and fatigue among others.

However, injection site reactions are unique to the injection. If you have trouble injecting yourself or respond badly to the pen, Wegovy pills may be a good alternative.

Wegovy pills must be stored:

• between 20 and 25°C
• in the original packaging
• away from moisture
• out of reach of children

To be prescribed Wegovy pills, you must be over 18 with one of the following:

• A BMI over 30
• A BMI over 27 with a weight-related condition

To find out if you’re eligible for treatment, complete a short online consultation with one of our doctors.

Yes, Wegovy pills are available to be prescribed online.

At OnlineClinic, all our doctors are registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) and our pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Placing your order with us means using a service you can trust, with no hidden fees and a dedication to patient safety.

Before placing an order, you will first need to complete a free online medical consultation so we can get an understanding of your condition. If approved, the medication will be sent straight to your door in discreet packaging so you can start getting better as soon as possible.