Weight-Loss Drug Wegovy Approved in Pill Form, Ending Injection-Only Era

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of the popular weight-loss drug Wegovy. This marks the first approval of an oral medication in this powerful class of drugs. Until now, Wegovy and similar medicines required a weekly injection. The new pill offers the same active ingredient, semaglutide, in a daily tablet. This could make the treatment more accessible and appealing to millions of people. The FDA's decision is based on strong clinical trial results. In a key study, participants taking the semaglutide pill lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks. This approval significantly expands the options for treating obesity. It moves a major treatment beyond injections alone. Experts predict the pill could increase competition and patient choice in the rapidly growing weight-loss drug market. The drug's maker, Novo Nordisk, states the pill should be available in the United States later this year.