Could New Tablets Allow Weight Loss For All?

Introduction

Weight-loss medicines have transformed obesity treatment in recent years, with injectable medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy helping many people achieve significant weight loss. Now, new oral treatments offer an alternative for people who would prefer a tablet to an injection.

Two medicines attracting attention are Wegovy 25 mg tablets, containing semaglutide, and Foundayo, containing a new medication called orforglipron. Both target the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, which plays an important role in appetite regulation and blood sugar control. This article looks at how these work, how effective they are and what they could mean for patients and the NHS.

How do the tablets work?

Both Wegovy 25mg and Foundayo are a class of medicine known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. They work by tricking the brain into feeling full, slowing down digestion and reducing blood sugar levels. They are recommended alongside a healthy and balanced diet and physical activity.

Wegovy 25 mg tablets

Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide, the same active ingredient as injectable Wegovy and Ozempic. Another form of semaglutide tablets, marketed as Rybelsus, have been on the market for around 6 years for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. These however contain lower doses and are not licensed for weight loss, unlike Wegovy 25mg tablets which received UK authorisation in June 2026 specifically for weight-loss management.

The tablets are taken once daily, starting at a lower dose which is gradually increased to a maintenance dose of 25 mg to help individuals to tolerate it better. This is different from the injectable formulation, which is generally administered weekly.

Wegovy tablets have specific administration requirements. They must be taken after an overnight fast of at least 8 hours with a small amount of water, and patients must wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else or taking other oral medicines. This routine can be inconvenient, particularly for people who take several medicines or prefer breakfast and coffee soon after waking.

Foundayo (orforglipron)

Foundayo is a different type of GLP-1 receptor agonist. It comes in various doses and is also taken once a day. Unlike semaglutide, which requires a special coating around the molecule in order to be absorbed, orforglipron is designed to be taken orally. This means it does not carry the same special fasting requirements, and can be taken with or without food. This flexibility could make it easier to fit into everyday life.

Foundayo received UK authorisation in August 2026 for weight management as well as type 2 diabetes.

How effective are they for weight loss?

Clinical trials show that both medicines can produce meaningful weight loss, but results need to be interpreted in the context of each study.

In the OASIS 4 trial, participants taking Wegovy 25 mg correctly lost an average of approximately 16.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, compared with approximately 2.2% with a placebo drug.

In the ATTAIN-1 trial, multiple different doses of Foundayo were tested against a placebo drug, all of which showed varying degrees of weight loss. These ranged between 7.5% and 12.4%, compared with 2.1% with a placebo.

These are encouraging results, demonstrating that both new medicines can produce substantial weight loss. However, the studies used different methods, treatment lengths and demographics, so their percentages cannot be directly compared. It is too early to tell for certain whether one oral medicine produces better weight loss than another.

Tablets vs injectables

Injectable GLP-1 medicines arguably still remain the more common form of weight-loss medication. These have been available for over a decade and have demonstrated significant weight loss in users.

In terms of effectiveness, there are yet to be any studies which directly compare GLP-1 injections to the newer oral medications. Further research is required to determine this.

The most obvious benefit to the new tablets is their formulation. Having an oral form enables many to access weight loss medications that were previously unable to, whether that be due to fear of needles or inability to access injection-based care. Furthermore, GLP-1 injections must be kept in the fridge, whereas both Wegovy 25mg and Foundayo can be kept at room temperature. This makes travelling with these medicines much more convenient.

Their final main difference is that both Wegovy 25mg tablets and Foundayo are taken once daily, whereas the injections are used once weekly. For some, the routine of taking a tablet daily can help improve adherence. Other may find once weekly administration fit better into their lifestyle, especially if the tablet requires regimented fasting like Wegovy 25mg.

Side effects and safety

Both oral medicines can cause gastrointestinal side effects, particularly if the dose is being slowly increased. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

Less common but potentially serious complications include pancreatitis, gallbladder problems and dehydration that can affect the kidney. GLP-1 medicines can also increase the risk of low blood sugar when used with certain diabetes medicines, including insulin.

These side effects can also occur when using semaglutide injections. They do have additional side effects associated with injections, such as potential redness, itching and mild swelling at the site. However, as there are no studies which have directly compared injections to the tablets, it cannot be confidently said whether one is more safe than the other.

How much do the weight loss tablets cost?

Neither Wegovy 25mg or orforglipron are available from the NHS currently. This makes their cost a major consideration, especially as these medicines may be used for extended periods.

Private UK prices vary by provider, dose, consultation fees and delivery charges. Pharmacy giant Superdrug report prices for Wegovy tablets at approximately £100–£230 per month and Foundayo at approximately £100–£200. This is significant as some GLP-1 injections, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, are available on the NHS for those who are eligible. These prescriptions cost significantly less at £9.90 per prescription.

That being said, many people are still only able to access GLP-1 injections privately. Again, prescription cost vary depending on many factors, but some can cost as much as £300 per month or more.

Both oral medicines are fairly new to the market, and their use could increase competition and potentially improve affordability.

Will these tablets become available on the NHS?

Although both medicines have been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the body who determine whether a treatment is an appropriate use of NHS resources. They evaluate not only a treatment’s effectiveness and safety profile, but also its economic impact and whether the cost can be justified.

Obese patients cost the NHS roughly twice as much as those within a healthy weight range. Reducing obesity numbers will not only improve health outcomes for individuals, but financially benefit the NHS. Oral medicines could make weight loss treatment more accessible, particularly for those who dislike injections or are unable to access injection-based care. However, wider availability could also increase demand for prescribing, follow-up and long-term obesity services, all of which incur costs.

For the NHS, the central question is not simply how much weight people lose. It is whether the health benefits justify the cost, taking into account long-term outcomes, potential side effects and the resources required to deliver treatment safely.

The bottom line

Wegovy 25 mg tablets and Foundayo represent important developments in obesity treatment. Both offer needle-free alternatives and have demonstrated meaningful weight loss in clinical trials.

Wegovy tablets contain the familiar active ingredient semaglutide but require a strict fasting routine. Foundayo offers greater flexibility around food and drink, which may make daily treatment more convenient.

Neither option can yet be declared universally superior based on comparisons between separate trials. For patients, the best choice will depend on individual circumstances, tolerability, affordability and access to appropriate care.

As these treatments become more established, their wider impact will depend not only on weight loss but also on long-term benefits, sustainable treatment and fair access through the NHS.

References

1) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UK. June 2026. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-glp-1-tablet-for-weight-loss-approved-in-the-uk (Accessed 20 October 2026)

2) Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). UK authorisation of orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes. August 2026. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-first-in-europe-to-authorise-orforglipron-for-weight-management-and-type-2-diabetes (Accessed 21 October 2026)

3) Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, Duque do Vale R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25mg in adults with overweight or obesity. Available from: https://doi.org/10/1056/NEJMoa2500969 (Accessed 19 October 2026)

4) Wharton S, Argonne LJ, Stefanski A, Alfaro’s NF, Ciudin A, Yokote K, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2511774

(Accessed 19 October 2026)

5) Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/ (Accessed 25 October 2026)

6) Superdrug Online Doctor. Foundayo vs the Wegovy pill [internet]. 23 September 2026. Available from: https://onlinedoctor.superdrug.com/foundayo-vs-wegovy-pill.html (Accessed 28th October 2026)

7) Abdul G. Obese patients cost NHS twice as much as those with healthy weight, study says. The Guardian [Internet] May 2023. Available from: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/18/obese-patients-cost-nhs-twice-much-healthy-weight-study (Accessed 27 October 2026).

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