Novo Nordisk has announced that Americans can now purchase the starter dose of the highly anticipated weight-loss medication Wegovy in pill form, a significant development for those looking to lose weight. This new oral option will become available at pharmacies, telehealth providers, and the NovoCare Pharmacy, and other locations, with additional strengths expected to be released by the end of the week.
The daily pill, which is available by prescription, is priced lower than the traditional weekly injection for individuals who choose to pay out-of-pocket rather than through insurance. The 1.5 mg starter dose costs $149 per month, benefiting from a recent arrangement between Novo Nordisk and the Trump administration regarding pricing. Meanwhile, the 4 mg pill will maintain this pricing until April 15, after which it will rise to $199. Higher doses, including the 9 mg and 25 mg options, will have a monthly cost of $299.
The injectable version of Wegovy maintains a higher price, with self-pay consumers facing a monthly cost of $349; however, new patients can take advantage of a limited-time offer where they can secure the initial two doses for $199 each until March. For those whose insurance plans cover obesity treatment, costs can dip as low as $25 a month for either the oral or injectable forms of the drug through Novo Nordisk’s savings program.
Wegovy is FDA-approved not only for weight management but also for reducing the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with overweight or obesity and pre-existing heart disease. The approval of the oral version in late December underscored its similar effectiveness and side effects compared to the injectable form, according to clinical trials from Novo Nordisk.
The active ingredient in Wegovy, semaglutide, is the same as that found in its diabetes counterpart, Ozempic. This development places Wegovy in competition with Eli Lilly’s forthcoming oral GLP-1 medication, orforglipron, which is expected to gain FDA approval this summer. The orforglipron pills will also follow the $149 pricing model under the agreement and may be priced as high as $399 for higher doses.
Gaining immense popularity since their introduction, GLP-1 medications are now being taken by about 1 in 8 adults in the U.S., as reported by KFF, a health policy research group. While there has yet to be a direct comparison between the Wegovy pill and orforglipron in clinical trials, Wegovy has demonstrated an average weight loss of about 14% over 64 weeks in trials, significantly higher than the 2% seen in the placebo group. Meanwhile, orforglipron has yielded an 11% weight loss on its highest doses over 72 weeks, also compared to 2% for placebo.
Both drugs share common side effects, with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting being the most prevalent. In the Wegovy pill trial, 7% of participants withdrew due to side effects, compared to 6% in the placebo group. Similarly, in studies for orforglipron, 10% of patients stopped the treatment due to adverse effects, while only 3% did so in the placebo group.
A notable distinction between Wegovy’s pill and other medications is its requirement to be taken with a small amount of water on an empty stomach, with specific instructions to avoid food, drinks, or other medications for 30 minutes thereafter. In contrast, Eli Lilly’s orforglipron can be taken at any time of the day without such dietary restrictions, offering potentially greater convenience for users.
With these advancements in weight-loss medications, there is hope for many who struggle with obesity, providing accessible options that cater to individual preferences and lifestyles.