Overview
- Regulators approved a once-daily oral version of semaglutide for adults with obesity or overweight plus a related condition, with U.S. sales beginning in January 2026.
- In trials, the highest daily dose produced an average 16.6% weight loss at 64 weeks, a result comparable to the weekly Wegovy injection.
- The pill must be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach with minimal water, followed by a 30‑minute wait before eating or drinking.
- Nausea and other digestive issues were among the most common side effects, similar to injectable GLP‑1 drugs.
- Novo Nordisk ramped production ahead of launch and its shares rose about 7–8% after the news, as rivals such as Eli Lilly prepare their own oral GLP‑1 candidates.