By last November, 12% of U.S. adults were already taking a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medication for various reasons, per a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. This week, it just became easier to take them for weight loss.
Novo Nordisk, the company behind popular GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy released the first GLP-1 oral pill for weight loss in adults, a version of Wegovy, Monday. Previously, these medications were available mostly as injections.
In a press release, the Denmark-based company said “this advancement opens new possibilities for the more than 100 million Americans living with obesity.”
GLP-1 drugs first became known as medications for people dealing with diabetes. Dr. Diana Thiara, an internist at UCSF Health and director of the UCSF Medical Weight Management Program, explained to Audacy in 2023 that they work by increasing the amount of insulin the body makes, in addition to decreasing gastric emptying, which promotes a feeling of fullness.
These medications have also become popular for weight management and obesity treatment in recent years and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration even cracked down on compounded versions of the medications last spring. They’ve become so common that companies like PepsiCo are taking them into consideration when developing new products. Experts expect packaging in the new year to be influenced by GLP-1 use too.
According to Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy pill was approved in December and is used along with a reduced calorie diet and physical activity in adults with obesity or who have weight-related medical problems to help lose and keep off weight. Average weight loss associated with the pill was close to 17% for those who stayed on treatment, compared to 3% for a placebo in phase 3 trials of the drug. Novo Nordisk said it is a “magnitude of weight loss that no other oral GLP-1 obesity candidate has been able to duplicate,” in those trials.
“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,” said Ed Cinca, senior vice president of Marketing & Patient Solutions at Novo Nordisk. “For many of them, that wait is over.”
So, what are the exact differences between the traditional Wegovy injection and the new pill, besides the delivery method?
Wegovy, a brand name for the GLP-1 semaglutide, is offered as weekly injection of 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg to help people over age 12 manage obesity and weight loss. For adults over 18, the drug is also prescribed to help reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events associated with weight.
Meanwhile, the pill has been deemed safe and effective by the FDA only for adults over age 18. It is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in overweight or obese adults.
“The FDA approval of Wegovy pill is based on the results from the OASIS 4 phase 3 clinical trial, which was a 64-week medical study that included 307 adults with obesity or overweight with one or more weight-related comorbidities, without diabetes,” Novo Nordisk said. “Results showed that people taking Wegovy pill once-daily along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise achieved an average weight loss of about 14% (13.6%) versus 2.4% with placebo,” if they did not stay on treatment.
GoodRx noted that patients first taking either option will start with low doses that might be increased over time. It also said “studies suggest comparable weight loss between the two.”
A benefit of the injection – inserted in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm – is reliable absorption into the bloodstream, Good Rx said. While the pill is better for people who are squeamish about injections, it also has to be absorbed through the digestive system, which means less enters the bloodstream.
Those taking the pill must also follow strict timing instructions. It must be swallowed every morning on an empty stomach with no more than 4 ounces of plain water and people must wait 30 minutes after taking the pill before eating or drinking anything else or taking other medications. Wegovy pills must also be stored at room temperature in their original bottles.
As for affordability, Novo Nordsik said it has worked to “ensure Wegovy pill is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care.” Starting doses (1.5 mg) are available for $149 per month (or $5 per day) via an easy to access self-pay offer, the company said.