GLP-1 tablets for weight loss

Most people are already familiar with GLP-1 agonist injections used for weight loss, as these have been available for a while, but GLP-1 tablets are now being approved for use in the UK. Currently, the only licensed GLP-1 tablet for weight loss in the UK is the Wegovy pill, which contains semaglutide.

Other GLP-1 tablets include:

• Rybelsus – available in the UK, but licensed for type 2 diabetes only and cannot be used for weight loss
• orforglipron (brand name Foundayo) – was approved in the US in April 2026 after successful clinical trials, so may be available in the UK in the future

There is only one GLP-1 tablet currently available for weight loss in the UK. This is the Wegovy pill, also called the Wegovy tablet. Some GLP-1 tablets are under research or in approval stages, but none have been authorised or released in the UK.

Wegovy pill

The Wegovy pill is a once-daily weight loss tablet that contains semaglutide. Although it contains the same active ingredient as the injection, the tablet is taken differently as it’s absorbed through your stomach and follows its own dosing schedule.

How do Wegovy pills work?

Wegovy pills work like other GLP-1 medications. They mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone that your body releases after eating.

Wegovy pills help you lose weight by:

• reducing your appetite
• helping you feel fuller after meals
• slowing down how quickly food leaves your stomach, so you stay satisfied for longer
• making it easier to reduce your calorie intake without feeling as hungry

How do you take Wegovy pills?

Unlike the weekly Wegovy injection, you take Wegovy tablets once a day.

To help your body absorb the medication properly, you should:

• take 1 tablet first thing after waking up, after fasting for at least 8 hours
• swallow the tablet whole with no more than 120ml of plain water
• wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything other than plain water, or taking any other oral medication
• take your tablet at around the same time every day

Wegovy pill dosage

Wegovy tablets are started at a low dose and increased gradually, which is called titration. This helps your body adjust to the medication and reduces the chance of side effects.

The usual Wegovy pill dosage schedule is:

If you're getting side effects, your doctor will recommend staying on your current dose for longer before increasing it. You can also stick to a lower dose if you do not want to reach the maximum dose, as long as you’re happy with your results and this is still causing weight loss.

What are the side effects of Wegovy pills?

Like all medications, Wegovy pills can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Most are mild and improve as your body gets used to treatment.

The most common side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• being sick (vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• constipation
• stomach pain
• headache
• indigestion
• tiredness or weakness

These side effects are usually most noticeable when you first start treatment or after increasing your dose. Eating smaller meals, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding greasy or spicy foods can often help.

If you get severe stomach pain, symptoms of an allergic reaction, or any side effect that worries you, speak to a doctor or call 999 in an emergency. A full list of side effects can be found in the patient information leaflet.

Who can take Wegovy pills?

You may be eligible for Wegovy pills if you have:

• a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above
• a BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes

In some cases, a doctor may be able to prescribe the Wegovy pill off-label if they believe it would be beneficial for you.

Wegovy pills may not be suitable if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have certain medical conditions such as a severe gastrointestinal disorder, or have an allergy to semaglutide. Your doctor will check your medical history before prescribing treatment.

Since GLP-1 agonists come in both tablet and injection forms, it makes sense to ask which form is more effective for weight loss. However, there are other factors to consider, like side effects, cost, whether you’re comfortable self-injecting, and availability.

Orforglipron is a new GLP-1 weight loss tablet created by Eli Lilly, the same manufacturer as Mounjaro. It contains the active ingredient orforglipron and is a branded medication, found under the name Foundayo. Clinical trials have now finished, and Foundayo is in its regulatory stage, meaning it's waiting for approval to be sold in the UK and other countries.

When will the GLP-1 pill orforglipron be available in the UK?

In April 2026, Foundayo received FDA approval in the United States. Eli Lilly has applied for licensing in more than 40 countries for both type 2 diabetes and weight management, with plans for a rapid launch if it’s approved. This means it could be available in the UK in 2026, or early 2027, but approval can take some time.

As it’s not yet authorised for use in the UK, any site offering to sell orforglipron (Foundayo) may be providing a counterfeit, illegal, or potentially dangerous product. You should always avoid purchasing unregulated medications from online sources.

No, currently tirzepatide is only available as an injection medication. This is either under the brand name Mounjaro for weight loss in the UK or Zepbound in the US.

There are also no current plans to create tirzepatide tablets. The reason for this is that tirzepatide is broken down too quickly during digestion, so not enough medication would be absorbed by the body. This issue does not exist in the same way for other GLP-1 agonists, which is why GLP-1 agonist tablets with other active ingredients do exist.

Yes, Wegovy tablets exist with the same active ingredient as Ozempic. Like Wegovy, Ozempic contains the active ingredient semaglutide. These tablets are not technically ‘Ozempic tablets’ but Wegovy tablets, as they are for weight loss rather than diabetes.

Rybelsus tablets are also available and are more closely related to Ozempic, as both are used to treat diabetes. Rybelsus is a GLP-1 semaglutide tablet for type 2 diabetes, with a lower maintenance dose and different dosage schedule than Wegovy tablets.

What's the difference between Wegovy pills and Rybelsus?

Although Wegovy pills and Rybelsus have the same active ingredient, semaglutide, there are a few differences, including:

• what they are licensed for – Wegovy pills are for weight loss, while Rybelsus is for type 2 diabetes
• dosage schedule – Wegovy pills have a maintenance dose of 25mg, while Rybelsus has a highest dose of 9mg and a maintenance dose of 1.5mg, 4mg, or 9mg, and your doctor will keep you on the lowest dose needed to manage your blood sugar

Both tablets are taken the same way, daily and on an empty stomach, but are used to manage different conditions.

Is there oral GLP-1?

Yes, there are oral GLP-1 medications. The only one licensed in the UK for weight loss is the Wegovy pill, which is a semaglutide tablet. Foundayo, a new GLP-1 pill containing the active ingredient orforglipron, has been approved in the US but is awaiting approval in the UK and is not available as of yet.

There are also oral GLP-1s for diabetes, rather than weight loss, such as Rybelsus. These should only be used if you have type 2 diabetes.

Are over-the-counter GLP-1 capsules effective?

There are no GLP-1 agonist medications available over the counter. GLP-1 medications are prescription-only and must be approved by a doctor. Any product claiming to be an over-the-counter GLP-1 agonist medication is either lying, unsafe, or both.

Are there compounded versions of GLP-1 pills?

They may exist but are strongly discouraged by regulatory bodies like the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Compounded medications are custom-made medications produced by compounding pharmacies. Compounding pharmacies are legal in the UK, but they are heavily regulated. Compounding pharmacies still require you to have a legitimate prescription before buying medications.

If you need to use a compounding pharmacy due to allergies, make sure they are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Do I really have to take GLP-1 tablets on an empty stomach?

Yes, you should take GLP-1 tablets, like Wegovy, on an empty stomach. The reason for this is that they require you to have an empty stomach so they can be absorbed properly. If you take them on a full stomach, they may not be absorbed properly, and you will not experience the full effect of your medication. This could lead to uncontrolled blood sugar with Rybelsus and increased appetite with the Wegovy pill.

Will I gain the weight back when I stop taking GLP-1 weight loss pills?

It’s possible. If you’re taking Wegovy tablets, once you stop taking them, you may put weight back on. This is because GLP-1 tablets reduce your appetite, so when you stop taking them, your appetite comes back, and you digest food faster, so you will not feel as full between meals.

It helps to keep the weight off if you stick to a diet and exercise plan after you stop your medication, but if this is something you have not been able to manage in the past, you can take Wegovy tablets for maintenance. This is where you keep taking GLP-1 medication to maintain your weight, perhaps at a lower dose than before, so you do not lose more weight but can avoid weight gain. Speak to your doctor about staying on Wegovy tablets for maintenance.