Health and Me

Ishita Roy

FDA Approves Wegovy Pill For Weight Loss; What Difference Does It Make?

<span>Wegovy pill</span> is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On Monday, the FDA approved a daily pill version of <span>Novo Nordisk</span>'s weight loss drug <span>Wegovy</span>, which is now introducing a new option for patients, that is said to revolutionize weight loss medicine and obesity treatment. 

The weight loss pill uses the same active ingredient. semaglutide. The same active ingredient powers the original Wegovy and sister drug for diabetes, Ozempic. Rival company Eli Lilly is also in the process of getting its weight loss drug approved, which will be out in the market by 2026, the CEO had said. Eli Lilly is known for drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro. In the US, notes health policy research group KFF, at least 1 in 8 Americans are currently taking one of these medicines. 

<h2>Wegovy Pill's Benefits And When Can People Buy It?</h2>

The Wegovy pill showed similar weight loss results as well as the side effects as in the Wegovy shot. The drug will be available by prescription in the US by January, said Novo Nordisk. Dr Jason Brett, who is the principal US medical head for Novo Nordisk told CNN in an interview, "We believe it will expand access and options for patients. We know there are some patients who just won’t take an injectable medication.”

The starting dose of the weight loss Wegovy pill will cost $149 for patients who will be paying out of the pocket. This is under the November agreement announced by the Trump administration. The drug will become pricier via self-pay as doses increase, though Novo Nordisk has not disclosed its prices yet. Patients whose insurance covers the medicines will be paying a lower copay. 

The Wegovy weight loss pill is one of the two GLP-1 pill which will hit the market, along with Eli Lilly's orforglipron.

Read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/oral-weight-loss-pill-comes-next-year-says-eli-lily-as-it-announces-a-third-manufacturing-facility-in-us-article-153275740" data-type="tilCustomLink">Oral Weight Loss Pill Comes Next Year, Says Eli Lily As It Announces A Third Manufacturing Facility In US</a> 

<h2>Whose Weight Loss Pill Is More Effective? </h2>

While the pills have not been compared head to head in an clinical trial, there have been separate studies done on them. The Wegovy pill showed an average weight loss of 14% over 64 weeks, when compared for a placebo, which showed 2% weight loss. Whereas, orforglipron showed 11% weight loss over 72 weeks on its highest dose, as compared to 2% with placebo. 

Wegovy injection on the other hand showed a weight loss of 15%, whereas, Zepbound showed 21% on his highest dose. Placebo remained at 2% and 3%, respectively in comparison with both the drugs. 

<h2>What Changes And What Remains The Same On Weight Loss Drug?</h2>

Side effects, including gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting remain the most common ones with <span>GLP-1 drugs</span>, which was also seen in the studies of the pill as well. The clinical studies showed that 7% of participants on Wegovy pill stopped the treatment because of side effects, verss 6% on placebo. In orforglipron's study, up to 10% of patients stopped treatment, as compared with 3% on placebo. 

The key difference with the pill is that it must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients are not directed to eat, drink, or take any other medicines for the next 30 minutes after taking it. 

Doctors have pointed out that a pill version of semgalutide approved for diabetes called Rybelus has not been used as widely as Ozempic in part because of these restrictions. Eli Lilly however says that in clinical trials, orforglipron was taken once a day at any time, without restrictions on food or water.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

wegovy

wegovy pill

novo nordisk stock

novo nordisk

glp-1 drugs

FDA approves wegovy weight loss pills

GLP1 Drugs

glp1 medicines

glp1 pills

health news

Flu A Is Ramping Up, Experts Warn That It Could Cause Widespread Disease

Barry Manilow Is Diagnosed With Lung Cancer At 82

Health News

8 Sit-Up Variations to Strengthen Your Core and Build Stability

Benefits Of Ayurvedic Health Supplement Ashwagandha

9 Anti-Inflammatory Breakfast Options You Should Try

5 Foods You Should Avoid For PCOS, Says Gynecologist

Love Sitting With Your Legs Crossed? Here’s You Should Avoid It

6 Daily Foods That Are Secretly Increasing Your Calories

9 Brain Boosters You Should Do Everyday

Hip Exercises That Will Keep You Flexible As You Age

9 Leg Exercises Office Workers’ Should Do At Home

Benefits of Having Herbal Tea Every Morning

9 Daily Habits That Boost Your Brain Power

Lower-Body Exercises That Are Game-Changers

How Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Helps You

Aging Myths You Should Never Believe

Superfoods That Support Your Gut Health

What Happens To Your Body When You Eat Instant Noodles Every Day?

Health Issues Premature Babies Often Face

Exercises Office Workers Should Do For Their Heart Health

Reasons Why You Should Add Raw Turmeric To Your Diet

Benefits Of Drinking Milk At Night: Why You Should Do It

Food That Provides Vitamin B12 Naturally In Your Diet

Surprising Health Benefits Of Fenugreek Seeds

9 Superfoods You Should Eat For Your Brain Health

What Does Mental Health Support Look Like At Work?

Long Stretches You Should Do To Unwind From Your Day

Colon Cancer In Young Adults: Early Symptoms You Should Know

Health Benefits Of Eating Dry Fruits Everyday

Are You At Risk For Fried Rice Syndrome?

These Tests Reveal How Well You Are Aging

Lower-Back Exercises You Should Do After A Long-Day's Work

Children’s Diet – What Kids Need To Eat For Immunity Building

Common Diabetes Myths That Could Hurt Your Health

Love Spicy Food? Here’s How It Affects Your Health

Superfood List: Veggies And Fruits You Must Have For Immunity

Foods People With IBS Should Avoid

Exercises To Improve Digestion

Easy Work Lunches You Can Make In The Morning

Hunger Vs Craving: Difference Explained In 60 seconds

These Things Can Cause Your Heart To Age Faster

High Carb Foods That Are Actually Healthy

Wegovy pill is now approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On Monday, the FDA approved a daily pill version of Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy, which is now introducing a new option for patients, that is said to revolutionize weight loss medicine and obesity treatment. The weight loss pill uses the same active ingredient. semaglutide. The same active ingredient powers the original Wegovy and sister drug for diabetes, Ozempic. Rival company Eli Lilly is also in the process of getting its weight loss drug approved, which will be out in the market by 2026, the CEO had said. Eli Lilly is known for drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro. In the US, notes health policy research group KFF, at least 1 in 8 Americans are currently taking one of these medicines. Wegovy Pill's Benefits And When Can People Buy It?The Wegovy pill showed similar weight loss results as well as the side effects as in the Wegovy shot. The drug will be available by prescription in the US by January, said Novo Nordisk. Dr Jason Brett, who is the principal US medical head for Novo Nordisk told CNN in an interview, "We believe it will expand access and options for patients. We know there are some patients who just won’t take an injectable medication.”The starting dose of the weight loss Wegovy pill will cost $149 for patients who will be paying out of the pocket. This is under the November agreement announced by the Trump administration. The drug will become pricier via self-pay as doses increase, though Novo Nordisk has not disclosed its prices yet. Patients whose insurance covers the medicines will be paying a lower copay. The Wegovy weight loss pill is one of the two GLP-1 pill which will hit the market, along with Eli Lilly's orforglipron.Read: Oral Weight Loss Pill Comes Next Year, Says Eli Lily As It Announces A Third Manufacturing Facility In US Whose Weight Loss Pill Is More Effective? While the pills have not been compared head to head in an clinical trial, there have been separate studies done on them. The Wegovy pill showed an average weight loss of 14% over 64 weeks, when compared for a placebo, which showed 2% weight loss. Whereas, orforglipron showed 11% weight loss over 72 weeks on its highest dose, as compared to 2% with placebo. Wegovy injection on the other hand showed a weight loss of 15%, whereas, Zepbound showed 21% on his highest dose. Placebo remained at 2% and 3%, respectively in comparison with both the drugs. What Changes And What Remains The Same On Weight Loss Drug?Side effects, including gastrointestinal issues like nausea and vomiting remain the most common ones with GLP-1 drugs, which was also seen in the studies of the pill as well. The clinical studies showed that 7% of participants on Wegovy pill stopped the treatment because of side effects, verss 6% on placebo. In orforglipron's study, up to 10% of patients stopped treatment, as compared with 3% on placebo. The key difference with the pill is that it must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients are not directed to eat, drink, or take any other medicines for the next 30 minutes after taking it. Doctors have pointed out that a pill version of semgalutide approved for diabetes called Rybelus has not been used as widely as Ozempic in part because of these restrictions. Eli Lilly however says that in clinical trials, orforglipron was taken once a day at any time, without restrictions on food or water.