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GLP-1 Tablets: What They Are, How They Work And What's Available In The UK
GLP-1 Tablets: What They Are, How They Work And What's Available In The UK
Dr. Zoë Lees (PhD)
Dr. Sophie Dix (BSc, PhD)
19 June 2026 | Updated: 6 July 2026
6 July 2026
Article Summary:
What is a GLP-1 tablet?
How do GLP-1 tablets work?
What’s the difference between a GLP-1 tablet and an injection?
Can I switch between the two types of medication?
Are oral GLP-1 treatments available in the UK?
Can I take GLP-1 tablets with contraception?
What are the side effects of GLP-1 tablets?
References
If you’ve been exploring weight loss treatments, you’ve probably come across popular injectable weight loss medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. However, there’s been growing interest in GLP-1 tablets as an alternative.
Our experts have created a full breakdown of exactly what a GLP-1 pill is, how it's designed to work compared with injections, and which oral GLP-1 treatments are available in the UK.
Article Summary:
- GLP-1 tablets are an alternative to injectable GLP-1 medications. They work in a similar way, by mimicking the hormone involved in digestion.
- Even though interest in an oral GLP-1 pill is growing, this is the first pill approved for weight loss in the UK.
- Learning how GLP-1 tablets work can help you choose the right weight loss treatment for you and your lifestyle.
What is a GLP-1 tablet?
A GLP-1 tablet is an oral medication belonging to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that’s naturally produced by your gut after eating. This hormone helps regulate several processes involved in appetite, digestion and blood sugar levels. [1] GLP-1 medications are designed to mimic the effects of this hormone to help your body similarly respond to food.
How do GLP-1 tablets work?
Rather than self-injecting these medications subcutaneously (which means just under the skin), GLP-1 tablets are ingested orally. Similar to the injectables, they also work by activating GLP-1 receptors in the body.
A GLP-1 tablet can help to:
- Reduce appetite in some people
- Increase feelings of fullness after eating
- Slow down how quickly food leaves the stomach
- Support blood sugar regulation
Just like injectable medications, a GLP-1 tablet works best alongside healthier lifestyle habits such as regular exercise, a balanced diet full of nutrition and quality rest. It’s important to remember that oral GLP-1s shouldn’t be considered a shortcut to losing weight. [2]
What’s the difference between a GLP-1 tablet and an injection?
The differences are both in how the medication is taken and the average weight loss seen over time at the highest dose. A GLP-1 tablet is taken by mouth once daily, while traditional GLP-1 pens are injected into the thigh, back of the upper arm or stomach area with a pre-filled device. [3] Because average weight loss may be lower with Wegovy tablets than with some injectable GLP-1 treatments, switching from an injectable treatment could affect your appetite, hunger levels or weight loss progress.
Tablets may be a preferable option for weight loss if:
- Injections feel like a barrier to starting or continuing treatment.
- You travel often, or find storing injectable pens in the fridge difficult.
- You feel confident taking a tablet consistently every day, and following the dosing instructions for your specific treatment.
Can I switch between the two types of medication?
Although oral and injectable GLP-1 treatments are designed to work in similar ways, switching between them can affect your treatment experience. Injectable and oral GLP-1 medications have shown different average weight loss results in clinical trials, with injections generally showing higher rates of weight loss over time.
These results come from different trials in different populations, so they aren’t a direct comparison, but they do suggest that switching from an injectable GLP-1 to a tablet may mean slower progress or less total weight loss for some people.
If your injectable GLP-1 is working well for you, it’s worth keeping this in mind before deciding to switch. However, there may be other reasons to consider GLP-1 tablets, such as finding injections difficult, travelling often, or experiencing injection site reactions. Our clinical team can talk you through your options and help you understand what switching could look like for you. [3]
Are oral GLP-1 treatments available in the UK?
As of June 2026, the market for GLP-1 tablets is more limited than GLP-1 injections, with only one option approved for treating obesity. But, interest in alternative methods for weight loss treatment is growing. The availability of oral GLP-1 pills is an active area of research, and other tablets are also being studied. [4]
Can I take GLP-1 tablets with contraception?
It depends on the type of GLP-1 medication and the oral contraception you use.
If you could become pregnant, you should use contraception while taking GLP-1 medication for weight loss, as these treatments should not be used during pregnancy, while trying to get pregnant, or while breastfeeding.
Wegovy contains semaglutide, which is an active ingredient that is not expected to reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive pill. But, you should still use contraception while taking it. If you’re planning to try for a baby or you become pregnant during treatment. Semaglutide should be stopped if pregnancy occurs, and it should usually be discontinued at least 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
If you’re unsure which contraception is right for you, speak to your clinician or pharmacist before starting treatment.
What are the side effects of GLP-1 tablets?
Although not everyone may experience them, GLP-1 tablets can cause side effects.
Some side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
Everyone’s different, and the severity of these symptoms could vary from person to person. [6] Our medical professionals are here to offer support as your body adjusts to the treatment.
At MedExpress, we offer online consultations with regular clinical check-ins, and a range of weight loss treatments including Mounjaro Pen, Wegovy Pen and Wegovy Pill and our team can help you find the right treatment for you.
References
- Solan M. Understanding new weight-loss drugs [Internet]. Harvard Health. 2023 [cited 2024 Jul 3]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-new-weight-loss-drugs
- Cleveland Clinic. GLP-1 agonists [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. 2023. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/13901-glp-1-agonists
- Taking Semaglutide: Oral Tablets vs. Injections [Internet]. Healthline. 2023. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/weight-loss/semaglutide-oral-vs-injection
- PrivateDoc [Internet]. PrivateDoc®. 2026 [cited 2026 Jun 17]. Available from: https://www.privatedoc.com/weight-loss/blog/oral-glp-1-weight-loss-pills-uk-summer-2026
- GLP-1 agonists (e.g. Mounjaro) and Contraception or HRT - Brig Royd Surgery [Internet]. Brig Royd Surgery. 2025 [cited 2026 Jan 29]. Available from: https://www.brigroydsurgery.co.uk/2025/10/08/glp-1-agonists-e-g-mounjaro-and-contraception-or-hrt/
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. GLP-1 receptor agonists: reminder of the potential side effects and to be aware of the potential for misuse [Internet]. GOV.UK. 2024. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/glp-1-receptor-agonists-reminder-of-the-potential-side-effects-and-to-be-aware-of-the-potential-for-misuse
Next scheduled review date: 6 July 2029
What Is Off-Label Prescribing? A Guide For GLP-1 Patients
Should I Switch To The Wegovy Pill?
Wegovy Pill: What It Is, How It Works and When You Can Get It
Maintaining Your Results With GLP-1s
Authors
Written by: Dr. Zoë Lees (PhD)
Dr. Zoë Lees is a medical writer at MedExpress specialising in obesity and health communication. She completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow, where she investigated adipose tissue (fat tissue) function in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes. Her work focuses on translating complex clinical evidence into clear, engaging and evidence-based health information for patients and the public. At MedExpress, Zoë contributes to clinical content, educational resources and media communications across areas including weight management, GLP-1 therapies and metabolic disease. Zoë is particularly interested in improving public understanding of obesity as a chronic condition and ensuring patients have access to accurate, accessible health information grounded in current scientific evidence.
Medically reviewed by: Dr. Sophie Dix (BSc, PhD)
Dr. Sophie Dix is Head of Medical Affairs at MedExpress. A behavioural neuroscientist by training, Sophie has spent 30 years working at the intersection of medical research, pharmacology, technology and patient communication across the pharmaceutical industry, health technology and charity sectors. At MedExpress, Sophie's role is to ensure that everything the organisation does is grounded in the most current science. That means translating complex clinical evidence into accessible health information across the website, clinical pathways and media communications. It also means working with external press and broadcast media as a named expert commentator, making the science behind weight management and GLP-1 treatments understandable to a general audience. A core part of Sophie's work is building MedExpress's Real-World Evidence (RWE) programme: learning systematically from patient outcomes to understand what works in practice, not just in clinical trials. This patient-level insight feeds directly into improving patient experience and health outcomes. Sophie believes that patients make better decisions when they have access to accurate, evidence-based information. As an advocate for meaningful change in how obesity is understood, Sophie works to reduce stigma and raise awareness of the condition as an illness. This includes reframing the conversation around GLP-1s from aesthetics to public health, while highlighting the health benefits of weight loss and weight management.
Note from the experts
Remember: This blog shouldn’t be regarded as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We make sure everything we publish is fact checked by clinical experts and regularly reviewed, but it may not always reflect the most recent health guidelines. Always speak to your doctor about any health concerns you have.