UK approves first weight-loss tablet as Wegovy pill cleared for patients with obesity

A major new weight-loss treatment has been approved for use in the UK, marking the first time a GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet has been authorised for weight management rather than requiring injections.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced on Thursday, June 11, that the semaglutide tablet, marketed under the Wegovy brand, has met the regulator’s standards for safety, quality and effectiveness and can now be prescribed to eligible patients across the UK.

The decision could prove significant for thousands of people living with obesity who may prefer a daily tablet over weekly injections, although the treatment is not currently available through the NHS.

Who can receive the new treatment?

The semaglutide tablet has been approved for adults with obesity who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or above.

It can also be prescribed to adults who are overweight, with a BMI between 27 and 30, provided they have at least one weight-related health condition.

The medication must be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

The approval means doctors can now prescribe the tablet as a prescription-only medicine for weight loss and weight management in appropriate patients.

A new option beyond injections

Until now, semaglutide-based weight-loss treatments have primarily been available as weekly injections.

Under the approved dosing schedule, patients will begin with a daily dose of 1.5mg before gradually increasing through 4mg and 9mg to a maintenance dose of 25mg, spending at least one month at each stage.

Patients who are already receiving private treatment with a 2.4mg weekly semaglutide injection can move directly to a 25mg daily tablet under the approved guidance.

The medicine belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking a hormone naturally released by the body after eating.

By acting on areas of the brain involved in appetite regulation, semaglutide helps people feel fuller for longer, reduces hunger and can decrease food cravings, helping support weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes.

MHRA stresses medicine remains prescription-only

Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said:

“Having met the MHRA’s rigorous standards of safety, quality and effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK for weight loss and weight management.

“As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication.”

The regulator emphasised that patients should follow the instructions in the Patient Information Leaflet carefully to ensure the treatment works effectively.

The tablet should be swallowed whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours and taken with only a sip of water.

After taking the medication, patients should avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 30 minutes, as consuming food or drink sooner can reduce absorption of the medicine.

NHS availability still to be decided

Although the treatment has now been licensed for use in the UK, patients will not currently be able to access it through the NHS.

The MHRA said any future NHS availability will follow established assessment procedures, including evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

That means patients may face a wait before the tablet becomes routinely available through publicly funded healthcare services.

The approval nevertheless represents another significant development in the rapidly growing field of obesity treatment, where demand for GLP-1 medications has increased dramatically in recent years.

Possible side effects and safety monitoring

As with other medicines in the same class, the most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal.

These include:

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Vomiting

The MHRA said it will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of semaglutide closely.

Anyone who experiences a suspected side effect is encouraged to speak with their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report concerns through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Reports can be submitted through the Yellow Card website or via the MHRA Yellow Card app available on Apple and Android devices.

The approval creates a new treatment option for people struggling with obesity and weight-related health conditions, while wider decisions on NHS access will determine how quickly the medicine becomes available to patients across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.