FDA Approves Pill Version of Wegovy

FDA Approves Pill Version of Wegovy(wired.com)

10 points by stein1946 146 days ago | 7 comments

canucker2016 146 days ago |

from the linked drug trial article, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2500969:

  Gastrointestinal adverse events were more common with oral semaglutide than with placebo (74.0% vs. 42.2%).

That placebo value seems high (42.2%), given it's just a placebo (sugar pill?).

DANmode 146 days ago | |

As someone who almost died of (unrelated) gastroparesis: be absolutely sure you need this drug.

dpark 146 days ago | |

The placebo effect is shockingly strong. 30-50% report subjective benefits with placebo. Makes sense that about the same would report subjective side effects.

JKCalhoun 146 days ago |

"Novo says the starting dose of the pill, 1.5 milligrams, will be available in early January for $149 per month with savings offers."

That would be kind of amazing. I've been debating trying something like it or Ozempic to try and lose some weight.

wkat4242 146 days ago | |

True it's pretty ok though for me in Europe that's still really expensive. I'm sure it will come down though.

For me it would be a huge benefit not having to inject stuff. It's what's holding me back from using the current generation.

canucker2016 146 days ago | |

The CNN article about the oral version of Wegovy has more details, https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/health/wegovy-pill-glp1-weigh...

  ... Overall, 7% of participants in the Wegovy pill trial stopped treatment because of side effects, versus 6% on placebo. ...

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

  Lilly touts that, in clinical trials, orforglipron (Ed.note Lilly's similar version to Wegovy) was taken once a day at any time, without restrictions on food or water.

  While the price of $149 for the starting dose is lower than what the companies currently offer for the injectable drugs, that price is only for the initial, lowest dose. These medicines are designed to start at a low dose and have patients gradually ramp up over time, to manage side effects; the Wegovy pill will come in doses of 1.5 milligrams, 4 milligrams, 9 milligrams and the expected longer-term dose of 25 milligrams, Brett said.

  “The lowest dose is almost never the dose that people wind up being on,” said Korner. “That’s just sort of like a loading dose, to let your body get used to it.”

  Lilly, which will also offer the $149 starting price under the Trump agreement, says additional doses of orforglipron will cost up to $399 if patients are paying cash.

ipnon 146 days ago |

This is a critical moment in healthcare for America. We might see the end of the era of metabolic syndrome.

... Overall, 7% of participants in the Wegovy pill trial stopped treatment because of side effects, versus 6% on placebo. ... One difference between the medicines is that the Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients are directed not to eat, drink or take other medicines for 30 minutes after taking it. Lilly touts that, in clinical trials, orforglipron (Ed.note Lilly's similar version to Wegovy) was taken once a day at any time, without restrictions on food or water. While the price of $149 for the starting dose is lower than what the companies currently offer for the injectable drugs, that price is only for the initial, lowest dose. These medicines are designed to start at a low dose and have patients gradually ramp up over time, to manage side effects; the Wegovy pill will come in doses of 1.5 milligrams, 4 milligrams, 9 milligrams and the expected longer-term dose of 25 milligrams, Brett said. “The lowest dose is almost never the dose that people wind up being on,” said Korner. “That’s just sort of like a loading dose, to let your body get used to it.” Lilly, which will also offer the $149 starting price under the Trump agreement, says additional doses of orforglipron will cost up to $399 if patients are paying cash.