The arrival of the Wegovy pill has opened the door for thousands of Britons to get their hands on the blockbuster medicine.
A once–daily tablet version of the Wegovy injection – which contains the same active ingredient, semaglutide – is the first GLP–1 weight–loss pill to be launched in the UK.
And demand has already surged, with pharmacies reporting tens of thousands of orders after the tablets were officially rolled out across Britain on Monday.
The ‘unprecedented’ interest reflects the public intrigue around the pill, which can help patients shed around 17 per cent of their body weight in 64 weeks.
It is expected to appeal to people who want to lose weight but have a fear of needles, as well as those already using injections who feel a once–daily pill would better suit their lifestyle.
Unlike the injectable version, the tablet does not require refrigeration.
However, a leading GP has warned that people switching from jabs to the Wegovy pill could be about to make potentially dangerous mistakes.
Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, said: ‘A new weight loss treatment has been approved for use in the UK, giving eligible Brits another option when it comes to clinically managing their weight.
The Wegovy pill is the first GLP–1 weight–loss pill to be launched in the UK
‘However, for those switching from Wegovy or Mounjaro, there are a variety of common mistakes people could make when switching to the pill form.’
Adults with a body mass index of more than 30, which is classed as obese, are among those eligible for the medication.
It can also be prescribed to people with a BMI between 27 and 30 if they have a weight–related health condition.
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But Dr Grant stressed that eligible patients should not assume they can switch treatments without first consulting their prescriber.
He said: ‘Firstly, similarly to when people begin the treatment, it’s vital to stay in close contact with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure a safe transition.
‘Even if a patient has been taking Wegovy for some time, their current dose, side effects, medical history and other medicines all need to be reviewed before switching.’
According to manufacturer Novo Nordisk, medical professionals will start patients on the 1.5mg dose before increasing it every 30 days until they reach the maximum 25mg dose.
The gradual increase is designed to help the body adjust to the medication and reduce side effects.
Patients already taking 0.5mg or 1mg Wegovy injections may be able to switch to the 9mg tablets, while those using the 1.7mg, 2.4mg or 7.2mg injections may be moved to the 25mg tablets, if medically approved.
Dr Grant said a most common misconception is assuming the tablet and injection doses are directly equivalent.
He explained: ‘Although both contain semaglutide, they enter the body in very different ways: injections go straight into the bloodstream, while tablets are absorbed through the digestive system.
‘For this reason, the strength can vary, and individuals should communicate with their healthcare providers to ensure they receive the safest dose depending on their current strength.’
The tablet is also slightly less effective than the injections, which have been shown to produce weight loss of up to 20.7 per cent.
But Dr Grant warned against attempting to ‘turbocharge’ weight loss by taking both the pill and jabs at the same time.
He said: ‘Some people may believe that maintaining both forms of treatment could enhance weight loss results, but this is highly unsafe and, therefore, it’ll never be recommended to do so. Wegovy should only be taken in the form and dosage as prescribed.
‘Taking more semaglutide than necessary could increase the risk of intense side effects, ranging from nausea and diarrhoea to severe bloating or abdominal pain.’
According to the drug’s manufacturer Novo Nordisk, the Wegovy pill is taken once a day and must be swallowed on an empty stomach with a small amount of water.
Dr Grant says taking it with too much water, eating too soon or taking other medication shortly afterwards could reduce the amount of semaglutide absorbed, making the treatment less effective.
Semaglutide works by reducing the body’s appetite by mimicking a hormone in the gut which is released after eating.
This, in turn, reduces hunger, and makes patients feel fuller for longer.
Like the injection, however, the tablet can cause side effects, most commonly nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and stomach pain.
Dr Grant says the severity of symptoms varies between patients and urged users to monitor how their body responds.
He continued: ‘Semaglutide can affect digestion, which is why some people experience gastrointestinal side effects, particularly when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
‘However, warning signs such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, chest tightness, swelling of the face or throat, or difficulty breathing should never be ignored, as these require urgent medical attention.’
Experts also fear growing demand could drive some people to buy counterfeit versions of the medication online.
Prices in the UK – without introductory discounts begin as low as £85 for a month’s supply of the lowest 1.5mg dose, rising up to £269 for the highest 25mg strength.
But Dr Grant urged patients not to be tempted by cheaper, fake versions of the pill, which may be dangerous.
He added: ‘It’s incredibly important to avoid purchasing the Wegovy pill from unregulated sellers and instead stick to proper channels, such as through your GP or via online pharmacies.
‘With demand for weight loss medications at an all–time high, patients should be extremely cautious about websites or social media accounts offering Wegovy at discounted prices or without a proper consultation.
‘It increases the risk of obtaining false treatments with different or no active ingredients, putting wellbeing at risk. GLP–1s are a prescription–only medication, designed to be accessed and used by people who genuinely require them.’
