The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised the semaglutide tablet, sold under the Wegovy brand, on 11 June 2026. The approval gives some adults a non-injectable treatment option. It does not mean the medicine is suitable for everyone, available without a prescription or currently funded by the NHS.
What is oral Wegovy?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It mimics a hormone released after eating and acts on areas of the brain involved in appetite, which can help people feel fuller for longer and reduce hunger. The MHRA states that Wegovy tablets are licensed for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. They are not intended to replace nutritional, behavioural or exercise support.
Healthy eating does not require an extreme diet. Healthy Living UK’s guide to building a balanced plate offers practical ways to improve everyday meals.
Wegovy is approved for weight management, while Ozempic and Rybelsus are licensed for type 2 diabetes rather than weight loss. The MHRA advises that GLP-1 medicines should be used only for their authorised purpose and as prescribed. Its patient guidance explains the differences between products.
Who may be eligible?
Under the UK licence, the tablet may be prescribed to adults with:
- A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above; or
- A BMI from 27 to below 30 and at least one weight-related health condition.
Meeting these thresholds does not guarantee a prescription. A prescriber must assess medical history, current medicines, risks and wider health needs before deciding whether treatment is appropriate. The MHRA approval notice sets out the licensed population.
Licensing criteria are separate from NHS eligibility. The MHRA assesses whether a medicine meets the required standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. Decisions about routine NHS access follow a separate assessment process.
How is the tablet taken?
Oral Wegovy is taken once a day. Treatment starts at 1.5mg daily and increases to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg, with at least one month at each dose level. According to the MHRA, it must be swallowed whole on an empty stomach after fasting for at least eight hours, using a small amount of water. Patients must then wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking because doing so sooner can reduce absorption.
People should not switch GLP-1 medicines or alter their dose without clinical guidance.
What did the clinical trial find?
The OASIS 4 trial enrolled 307 adults without diabetes who had obesity, or were overweight with at least one related health condition. Participants received either 25mg oral semaglutide or a placebo once daily, alongside lifestyle interventions. The peer-reviewed study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
At week 64, the estimated average change in body weight was a 13.6% reduction with oral semaglutide and a 2.2% reduction with placebo. These are group averages and cannot predict an individual result. Gastrointestinal adverse events affected 74% of participants taking semaglutide and 42.2% receiving placebo. The trial was funded by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy.
What are the side effects and precautions?
The most common side effects listed by the MHRA are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting. Vomiting and diarrhoea can sometimes cause dehydration. The MHRA’s GLP-1 patient guidance also explains less common but potentially serious risks.
Acute pancreatitis has been reported with GLP-1 medicines. Severe, persistent abdominal pain that may spread to the back requires urgent medical assessment. The MHRA has strengthened warnings about this risk.
Semaglutide should not be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding. MHRA guidance advises stopping it at least two months before trying to become pregnant. Patients should also tell their healthcare team before surgery involving general anaesthesia or deep sedation because GLP-1 medicines slow stomach emptying.
Is the tablet available through the NHS?
At the time of approval, oral Wegovy was not available through the NHS. Future use will depend on established assessment processes, including evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Current NICE guidance recommends injectable semaglutide for certain adults through specialist weight-management services, subject to stricter criteria and a maximum treatment period of two years. That recommendation does not automatically extend to the tablet.
How can patients obtain it safely?
All GLP-1 medicines are prescription-only. Private treatment requires a consultation with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. The MHRA advises against purchasing GLP-1 medicines from social-media sellers, beauty salons, unregulated websites or suppliers offering them without a prescription.
Products should be obtained from a registered pharmacy after clinical assessment. Patients should discuss the expected benefits, possible risks and practical demands of daily dosing with their GP, pharmacist or qualified prescriber.
What does the approval mean in practice?
The approval adds a daily oral alternative for some adults who meet the medical criteria and are assessed as suitable. It does not guarantee NHS access, remove the need for lifestyle support or make the medicine appropriate for cosmetic weight loss.
The choice between a daily tablet and a weekly injection will depend on clinical suitability, availability, personal circumstances and a qualified prescriber’s advice.
This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice.
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