Posted on July 10, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
If you are beginning your weight loss journey, are halfway through it, or have been watching the news, you will have heard of weight loss injections and pills. They are everywhere!
This week in the UK, there has been a big change to weight loss treatments. The Wegovy pill has been put on sale, and is now available through private clinics, online doctors and regulated pharmacies.
The aim of the pill is simple. To help people lose weight, without needing to self-inject.
However, for those who want to take this pill to be successful with it, what it is, how it works and so on needs to be understood.
As our team at the Bodyline Clinic have helped over 100,000 patients on their weight loss journeys, we know a thing or two about how these medications work. So, we've compiled some of the most searched FAQs relating to the newly released Wegovy pill below.
Developed by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the new Wegovy pill is an oral weight loss medication. For it to work as designed, it has to be taken once a day.
It has been approved for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction in adults who are diagnosed as obese (BMI >30) or overweight (BMI >27) with one comorbid condition.
The Wegovy pill's active ingredient is semaglutide, which is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This medicine mimics the naturally occurring GLP-1 hormone, which slows stomach emptying. This signals to your brain that you are full, reducing appetite, cravings and the dreaded "food noise."
Yes and no. As it is an oral medication, the stomach acid breaks down most of the pill. So, a higher dose is recommended for successful weight loss. The maintenance dose for Wegovy pills is 25mg, compared to the 2.4mg injections. You will lose weight, provided you stick to the treatment regimen, but it may take slightly longer.
The Wegovy pill can be obtained via private weight loss clinics like the Bodyline Clinic, regulated pharmacies and online doctors. To be eligible, a person must have:
The Wegovy pill is not currently available via the NHS. It is likely to be available following a NICE review in 2027.
Novo Nordisk notes that the most common side effects of the Wegovy pill are:
These side effects are reported in as many as 1 in 10 people taking the Wegovy pill.
During your first week of taking the Wegovy pill, it is highly likely that you will notice mild digestive changes (constipation, diarrhoea and indigestion). You may also notice the very first stages of appetite changes. Weight loss at this stage is highly unlikely.
If you have any concerns about side effects, contact your Wegovy prescriber or medical team for assistance.
If you have a concern about a side effect you are having while taking the Wegovy pill at any stage, contact your doctor and the company or pharmacy that prescribed the pill immediately. The most serious (but uncommon) side effects of the Wegovy pill are pancreatitis and an allergic reaction. If you are worried that you are experiencing these, call 999 immediately.
For this pill to be effective, you need a strict morning routine.
Also known as "sip and go," it is advised that the Wegovy pill is taken first thing in the morning. Try to ensure that it has been at least 8 hours since you have eaten anything for maximum effect. Take the pill, sip some water (less than 120ml) and then go about your day. You should wait 30 minutes before eating or taking any prescribed medications.
No, the Wegovy pill should be kept at room temperature. You should store your pills in their original container to protect them from light and moisture.
The Wegovy pill starts to work within one hour of it being taken.
However, you may notice subtle changes in hunger and a reduction in food noise within the first two weeks. For noticeable weight loss, it may take between three to four months.
Your provider will usually start you on a 1.5mg dose of the Wegovy pill for month one.
By month two, you may be increased to 4mg. You may then be increased to 9mg by month three and then started on the recommended maintenance dose of 25mg by month four.
This dosage increasing may vary based on side effects, medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
You should avoid taking other GLP-1 medications while taking Wegovy, unless advised by a clinician. If you take insulin for diabetes, this should be strictly monitored.
If you take antidepressants or blood pressure treatments, you will need an individual assessment before taking the Wegovy pill.
If you take any prescription drugs, supplements or over-the-counter medications, discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Regular medical reviews will help to keep your Wegovy treatment safe and effective.
At the Bodyline Clinic, we want to ensure that all the patients we work with know about the weight loss options open to them in the UK. We are excited for the addition of the Wegovy pill, but we recommend taking it with medical reviews and supervision.
Our team offers personalised clinical oversight to assist with weight loss. We are regulated by the CQC, and our patient-focused weight loss treatments are overseen and guided by a dedicated team of doctors and nurses. With 18 years' experience and over 100,000 happy customers, we aim to make every weight loss journey a successful one.
If you have been turned down for weight loss treatments before, due to pre-existing conditions, medications or age, we may be able to help you. Contact our team for a consultation to discuss your options.