The UK's first GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet for weight loss and
weight management has today (11 June 2026) been approved by the
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity,
the semaglutide (Wegovy) tablet may now be prescribed to adults
in the UK with obesity, who have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or
above, or who are overweight with a BMI between 27 and 30 and at
least one weight-related comorbidity.
The starting dose for the semaglutide tablet is 1.5 mg once
daily, increasing to 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg with a
minimum duration of one month at each dose level.
Patients currently treated privately with a 2.4 mg
semaglutide injection once weekly can be transitioned
straight to semaglutide 25 mg tablets once daily.
Beach, Executive Director of
Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA, said:
Having met the MHRA's rigorous standards of safety, quality and
effectiveness, the semaglutide tablet has been approved in the UK
for weight loss and weight management.
As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only
medication.
It is important to follow the instructions in the Patient
Information Leaflet on how to take semaglutide tablets for weight
loss and weight management treatment to be most effective. The
semaglutide tablet should be taken whole on an empty stomach
after fasting for at least 8 hours with a sip of water. After
taking it, no food or drink should be taken for at least thirty
minutes. Eating or drinking less than 30 minutes after
taking a semaglutide tablet lowers its absorption.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works by mimicking
the action of a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like
peptide (GLP-1), which is released by the body after eating.
Semaglutide acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite,
helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and
decreasing food cravings. As a result, it can help people eat
less and support weight reduction alongside appropriate diet and
lifestyle measures.
Whilst this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not
available currently via the NHS. As with all new treatments,
decisions on NHS use will follow established processes, including
an evaluation by the National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence (NICE).
The most common side effects of the medicine are gastrointestinal
disorders including nausea, diarrhoea, constipation and vomiting.
As with any medicine, the MHRA keeps the safety and effectiveness
of semaglutide under close review.
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this
medicine should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and
report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through
the website or by
searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow
Card.
Notes to editors
-
Authorisation for this new indication for the semaglutide
(Wegovy) tablet was granted on 11 June 2026 to Novo Nordisk.
-
More information can be found in the Summary of Product
Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will
be published on the MHRA Products
website within 7 days of approval.
-
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and
medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are
acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust
and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify
any risks.
