Semaglutide Tablets For Weight Loss: How They Work, Benefits And Side Effects

You may have heard the news that semaglutide is now available as a pill (the Wegovy® Pill), making it the first GLP-1 tablet to be approved for weight loss in the UK.

So, how does it work? How does it compare to injectable weight management treatments? And what could it mean for your health journey? We break it down in this expert guide.

Article summary:

• Semaglutide tablets are the first oral GLP-1 to be made available for prescription in the UK. Like other GLP-1 agonists, they mimic the GLP-1 hormone to increase satiety and reduce cravings.
• Semaglutide tablets are taken orally, once daily, and require no injection. They’ve also been clinically proven to support weight loss, when accompanied by positive lifestyle changes.
• The most common side effects of semaglutide tablets are gastrointestinal (like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation). However, it’s also important to be aware of the medication’s more serious side effects.

What is semaglutide and how does it work?

Semaglutide is a prescription-only medication, which is used to manage type 2 diabetes, and to treat obesity in people with a BMI of 30+. [1] You may also be eligible for semaglutide weight loss treatment if you have a BMI of 27+ and live with a weight-related health condition, like high blood pressure.

Semaglutide belongs to a class of drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 agonists work by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This hormone lives in your stomach and is released after eating, to help:

• Lower blood sugar levels
• Slow digestion
• Signal to your brain that you're full [2]

By mimicking the GLP-1 hormone and triggering these actions in your body, GLP-1 agonists may help you to feel fuller for longer. [3] It may also reduce "food noise" and cravings. [4]

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in the Wegovy® Injectable Pen and Wegovy® Pill.

Semaglutide tablets vs semaglutide injection pens: what's the difference?

Although the Wegovy Injectable Pen and Wegovy Pill both contain semaglutide, there are some differences between the two:

How you take it

Semaglutide tablets (the Wegovy Pill) are taken orally (swallowed).

Semaglutide injection pens (the Wegovy Pen) are administered by an injection under the skin.

How often you take it

Semaglutide tablets are taken once daily. They should be taken:

• On an empty stomach (ideally when you first wake up in the morning)
• 30 minutes before food, drink or any other medication
• And at least 8 hours after your last meal or oral medication. [1]

This is because semaglutide tablets are absorbed through your digestive system.

Semaglutide tablets should be swallowed whole, with no more than 120ml of water. [1]

Semaglutide injections are taken once a week. You don't need to fast before or after giving yourself the injection, and you can take it at any time of day. [5]

How you store it

Semaglutide tablets can be stored at room temperature. [6]

Semaglutide injection pens need to be kept in a refrigerator, at 2°C to 8°C, before their first use. [5]

How effective they are

In a major clinical trial, the Wegovy Pill achieved an average weight loss of 16.6% over 64 weeks at the 25mg dose. [7]

In a separate major clinical trial, the Wegovy Injectable Pen achieved an average weight loss of 20.7% over 72 weeks at the 7.2mg dose. [8]

However, individual results may vary. It's also important to note that these figures come from different trials on different people, and shouldn't be treated as a direct comparison.

How much it costs

The monthly cost of treatment is a significant factor for many people. While the exact cost will vary depending on your provider, currently there's considerable overlap in prices for both oral and injectable semaglutide treatment in the UK.

It's worth bearing in mind that, whether you choose an oral or injectable treatment pathway, your monthly cost is likely to increase as you increase your dosage. This is because the higher your dose, the more expensive treatment normally gets.

You should only take one type of GLP-1 medication at a time. This means you can’t take both semaglutide tablets and injections at the same time. If you're eligible for treatment with the Wegovy Injectable Pen and the Wegovy Pill, your clinician can help you decide which option is right for you.

Semaglutide tablets: the key benefits

Everyone's weight management journey is different, and your treatment pathway is a personal choice. Here’s why some people choose to take semaglutide tablets:

No needles Some people may prefer to take weight loss medication orally once a day, rather than once-weekly self-injections.

Convenient storage

If you travel regularly, semaglutide tablets may be a better fit for your lifestyle. This is because, unlike semaglutide injection pens, semaglutide tablets don’t need to be stored in a chilled environment (like a refrigerator or a cool bag) before use. They can be kept at room temperature at all times.

No skin site reactions

Injection site reactions are a common side effect of semaglutide injection pens, which may affect up to 1 in 10 people. [5] This normally presents as localised redness, irritation and mild swelling.

Because semaglutide tablets are taken orally, they won’t cause skin site reactions.

What are the side effects of semaglutide tablets?

Like any medication, you may experience side effects while taking semaglutide tablets. These include:

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

• Headache
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Feeling weak or tired
• Upset stomach or indigestion [6]

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Feeling dizzy
• Burping
• Flatulence
• Stomach bloating
• Inflamed stomach (gastritis). Symptoms may include stomach ache, nausea and vomiting.
• Reflux or heartburn
• Gallstones
• Hair loss
• Change in the way food or drink tastes
• Change in skin sensation
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients with diabetes. Signs may include a cold sweat, cool pale skin, headache, fast heartbeat, nausea or hunger, changes in vision, feeling sleepy or weak, feeling nervous, anxious or confused, difficulty concentrating or shaking. [6] Low blood sugar can be dangerous if left untreated. If you experience these symptoms, eat or drink something sugary straight away and call 111 for advice.

Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

Although these side effects are less common, it's still important to be aware of them.

• Low blood pressure
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded on standing or sitting up
• Fast heartbeat
• Increase of pancreatic enzymes (like lipase and amylase) shown in blood tests
• A delay in the emptying of the stomach
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) in patients without diabetes
• Increased levels of bilirubin in your blood. Signs include jaundice (the yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes). [6]

What are the serious side effects of semaglutide tablets?

If you experience any of the following side effects, stop treatment and seek immediate medical assistance:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

• Complications of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). If you have diabetes you should inform your doctor if you experience eye problems, or any changes in vision, while taking semaglutide tablets. [6]

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

• Inflamed pancreas (acute pancreatitis). Symptoms may include a severe, persistent pain in your stomach and back which does not go away, which may or may not be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
• Kidney or bladder stones. Symptoms may include back or stomach pain, difficulty in urination or a change in the colour of your urine. [6]

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

• Severe allergic reactions. Symptoms may include breathing problems, swelling of your face, lips, tongue and/or throat with difficulty swallowing, wheezing, fast heartbeat, pale and cold skin and feeling dizzy or weak.
• Hip fractures [6]

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

• Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This is an eye condition which may cause loss of vision to one of your eyes without any pain. [6]

Unknown frequency

• Bowel obstruction. This is a severe form of constipation. You may also experience stomach ache, bloating and vomiting. [6]

If you experience any serious, new or unknown side effects or adverse reactions to treatment, you can report them via the Yellow Card website. This is a scheme run by the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), to help monitor known side effects of medication.

How to manage the side effects of semaglutide tablets

For any serious side effects, we advise you to seek urgent medical attention by either calling 999 or attending A&E.

Fortunately, however, most mild side effects of semaglutide tablets tend to ease as your body adjusts to treatment. [9] They can also often be managed at home, and with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies:

Nausea

• Avoid strong smells
• Try sipping on mint or ginger drinks
• Eat plain, bland foods like crackers

Vomiting

• Eat smaller, frequent meals
• Try to drink plenty of water (taking small, frequent sips) to remain hydrated

Diarrhoea

• Drink fluids to prevent dehydration
• Avoid caffeine, dairy, and any sweeteners ending in "-ol"

Constipation

• Increase your fibre intake (wholegrains, fresh fruit and vegetables and pulses are all great, healthy sources of fibre) [10]
• Try to increase your daily movement
• Increase your daily fluid intake (the NHS recommends 6-8 cups of water a day) [11, 12]

Where can I buy semaglutide tablets?

Semaglutide (Wegovy) tablets are now available to purchase in the UK from licensed pharmacies under the brand name Wegovy Pill. However, because it's a prescription-only medication, you'll need to complete a medical assessment with a registered clinician first.

At MedExpress, we offer online consultations with regular clinical check-ins, and a range of weight loss treatments including Mounjaro Pen, Wegovy Pen, Wegovy Pill and Foundayo, and our team can help you find the right treatment for you.

References

1. NHS website. Semaglutide [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2026 May [cited 2026 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/semaglutide/
2. Müller TD, Finan B, Bloom SR, D’Alessio D, Drucker DJ, Flatt PR, et al. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Molecular Metabolism [Internet]. 2019 Dec [cited 2026 Aug 13];30:72–130. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6812410/
3. Reiss AB, Gulkarov S, Lau R, Klek SP, Srivastava A, Renna HA, et al. Weight Reduction with GLP-1 Agonists and Paths for Discontinuation While Maintaining Weight Loss. Biomolecules [Internet]. 2025 Mar 13 [cited 2026 Aug 13];15(3):408–8. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/3/408
4. Cook G. Quieting “Food Noise”: How GLP-1s and Mindfulness Rewire the Default Mode Network (DMN) and Reward Circuits. Cureus. 2026 Jan 5 [cited 2026 Aug 13];. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12770913/
5. GB -Wegovy PIL-Version 7. In [cited 2026 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.13799.pdf
6. Wegovy 1.5 mg tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) - (emc) | 102344 [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102344/pil#gref
7. Wharton S, Ildiko Lingvay, Bogdanski P, Duque R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sept 17 [cited 2026 Aug 13];393(11):1077–87. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2500969
8. Wharton S, Freitas P, Jøran Hjelmesæth, Kabisch M, Kandler K, Ildiko Lingvay, et al. Once-weekly semaglutide 7·2 mg in adults with obesity (STEP UP): a randomised, controlled, phase 3b trial. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology [Internet]. 2025 Sept 1 [cited 2026 Aug 13];. Available from: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(25)00226-8/abstract
9. Pillarisetti L, K. Agrawal D. Semaglutide: Double-edged Sword with Risks and Benefits. Archives of Internal Medicine Research [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2026 Aug 13];8(1). Available from: https://fortuneonline.org/articles/semaglutide-doubleedged-sword-with-risks-and-benefits.pdf
10. NHS. How to get more fibre into your diet [Internet]. NHS. 2022 July [cited 2026 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/digestive-health/how-to-get-more-fibre-into-your-diet/
11. NHS 2 NHS. Water, Drinks and Your Health [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2023 May [cited 2026 Aug 13]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/water-drinks-nutrition/
12. Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, Castro A, Cebrián-Cuenca A, de Torres-Sánchez A, et al. Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus. Journal of Clinical Medicine [Internet]. 2023 Jan 1 [cited 2026 Aug 13];12(1):145. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/1/145