A new prescription-only weight loss tablet has been approved for use in the UK for people who are overweight and have a related condition like high blood pressure
The UK’s first GLP-1 weight loss pill has been given the green light by the medicines regulator.
The Wegovy (semaglutide) tablet, which is taken daily, is for obese adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. Those who are overweight and suffering from a related condition such as high blood pressure will also be eligible for the new medication.
These tablets have been authorised to help treat obese and overweight adults, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
The starting dose for the tablet is 1.5mg, rising to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg. Patients must remain on each dose level for at least a month before increasing.
Those currently being treated privately with a 2.4mg Wegovy injection once a week can switch straight to 25mg tablets once per day, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed.
The drug is available on prescription and will be accessible privately within weeks. It has not yet been assessed for use on the NHS.
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 Wegovy tablet, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, should be swallowed whole on an empty stomach with a small sip of water following a fasting period of at least eight hours. No food or drink should be consumed for at least 30 minutes afterwards, as this can interfere with how the drug is absorbed by the body.
The MHRA granted approval based on data from a trial in which adults were given 25mg per day alongside diet and exercise. After 64 weeks, adults taking the pill lost an average of 17% of their body weight if they remained on treatment, compared with just 3% for those on a placebo.
When all participants were taken into account – regardless of whether they continued treatment – the average weight loss stood at 14%. The most frequently reported side-effects of the medication are gastrointestinal, including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
This tablet works by mimicking the actions of GLP-1, which is released in the body after eating. Semaglutide acts on parts of the brain that regulate appetite, making people feel fuller for longer and decreasing cravings.
Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager at Novo Nordisk, said: “This marks an important milestone for obesity care in the UK. For the first time, people living with obesity have access to a GLP-1 treatment in a daily pill, allowing them the choice and flexibility of oral treatment to support their long-term weight management.”
Professor Naveed Sattar, from the University of Glasgow, said: “The approval of the once-daily oral form of Wegovy (semaglutide) is welcome news for people living with obesity, particularly those who would prefer not to use injections.
“Expanding the range of effective treatments is important in helping people sustainably reduce caloric intakes within an increasingly obesogenic environment. With obesity rates in the UK now at very high levels, and associated with substantial multimorbidity, additional treatment options for sustained weight loss are greatly needed.”
James O’Loan, chief executive of Chemist4U, said: “The launch of oral weight loss medications is set to be game-changing for UK patients. We’ve already seen record demand ahead of the expected launch of a Wegovy pill in the coming months, with over 10,000 people joining our waiting list for a consultation.
“Notably, the majority of people expressing interest in the launch of weight loss pills have not previously used GLP-1s, indicating that the launch could widen access to millions of people across the country. Weight loss pills are a great alternative for people who don’t feel comfortable using injections and many will find that a daily pill feels more familiar and easier to fit into their routine.
“We expect that demand for weight loss pills will only increase as prospective patients become aware of them in the coming weeks and months.”