UK regulator approves Wegovy weight‑loss tablet for private prescription

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved a tablet form of semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy, for the treatment of obesity in the United Kingdom. The oral GLP‑1 receptor agonist can be prescribed to adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, or a BMI of 27‑30 together with at least one weight‑related health condition. Patients must start at 1.5 mg daily and can increase up to 25 mg, remaining on each dose level for a minimum of one month.

The tablet is prescription‑only and is not currently available on the NHS; access will be through private prescriptions while the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviews its cost‑effectiveness. Side‑effects are mainly gastrointestinal, such as nausea and diarrhoea. Analysts expect a surge in demand, with an estimated 15 million obese adults in the UK and a waiting list of over 10,000 at an online pharmacy. Novo Nordisk, the maker, highlighted the need for additional treatment options as obesity rates remain high.

Health officials emphasized continued monitoring of safety and effectiveness, and advised patients to follow specific dosing instructions, including taking the tablet on an empty stomach and waiting at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking.