The new oral drug costs as little as $149 a month out of pocket and is expected to broaden access as demand for GLP-1 weight-loss treatments grows.
WASHINGTON — A pill version of the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy is now available in the United States, offering patients a daily oral option instead of a weekly injection. Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced Monday that the starter dose of the Wegovy pill is available by prescription nationwide.
“We know there are people who are interested in addressing their weight but have been waiting on the sidelines for a medicine that was right for them,” Ed Cinca, senior vice president of marketing and patient solutions at Novo Nordisk said in a statement. “For many of them, that wait is over as we can now offer the powerful efficacy of Wegovy in a once-daily pill that demonstrated about 17% weight loss, if all patients stayed on treatment.”
Producing pills is generally cheaper than making drugs delivered via injections, making the cost for the new oral medications lower. The Trump administration last year said officials had worked with drugmakers to negotiate lower prices for the GLP-1 drugs, which can cost upwards of $1,000 a month.
The 1.5-milligram daily pill costs $149 per month for patients paying out of pocket. A 4-milligram dose is available at the same price through April 15, after which it will increase to $199. Higher doses will cost more.
“This moment is about changing what’s possible in weight management, and to make that possible, we have worked to ensure Wegovy pill is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care,” Cinca said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the pill version of Wegovy in December. The medication contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, and works by slowing digestion and reducing appetite.
The pill must be taken on an empty stomach with water, at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other medications.
Novo Nordisk said it has similar side effects to injections, including nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.
Clinical trial data showed patients using the oral Wegovy pill lost about 14% of their body weight, while those who remained on treatment longer lost closer to 17%, when combined with diet and exercise. By comparison, placebo groups lost about 2%.
The pill’s arrival comes as demand for GLP-1 drugs continues to grow. About 1 in 8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group.
Availability of oral pills to treat obesity could expand the booming market for obesity treatments by broadening access and reducing costs, experts said.
Competitor Eli Lilly is also developing its own weight-loss pill, orforglipron, which is still under FDA review. A decision is expected by spring.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.