Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to know

Image source, Getty Images Image caption, A weight loss pill can now be bought privately By Smitha Mundasad Health reporter Published 6 July 2026 The once-a-day Wegovy weight loss pill is now available to buy privately from High Street and online pharmacies in the UK - but is not yet on the NHS. It contains the same ingredient - semaglutide - as the Wegovy weight loss injections but is still advised to be used alongside a healthy diet and increased physical activity. So, what do you need to know about this pill version of the skinny jab? How do you take the pill? There are a number of strict guidelines to help make sure the pill is absorbed well by the body. Take the pill: On an empty stomach after not eating for at least eight hours At least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else or taking other tablets With a sip of up to 120ml of water - (that's plain water, not fizzy water or coffee or tea) - and swallow it down whole Ideally, it's taken at the same time every day so it becomes routine. If you miss a dose, skip that day's dose and get back on track by taking the scheduled dose the next day, advice says. Tablets vs injection Aside from the obvious that one is in pill form and one is an injectable, both treatments work well and trials show they are similarly effective. If you don't like needles, the tablet may be a better option for you. But if you don't like the idea of using something daily or it doesn't suit your lifestyle to fast (not eat) eight hours before taking a pill each day, the injection may be more convenient. You can take the once-weekly jab any time of the day but it does need to be stored in the fridge. Who can get the pill and where can you buy it? The pill is available to people with a BMI of 30 and above (generally considered obese) or a BMI of 27-30 (overweight) if they also have certain weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure. This is essentially the same criteria as people getting the injection. And like the jab, a consultation - either online or face-to-face - is needed to make sure the pill is right for you. A number of online and high street pharmacies say they will have stocks soon to send out. Some suggest signing up to a waiting or a mailing list to be kept up-to-date. People are being advised to go to credible websites to avoid buying any fake medicine. What are the side effects? Image source, Universal Images Group via Getty Images The semaglutide in the jab and pill mimics the actions of a hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1), which is released from the intestine after people eat. It acts on receptors in the brain that control appetite, making people feel fuller, less hungry and crave food less. Very common side effects with both include stomach problems, like feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), constipation and diarrhoea. With the jab, you may get little bit of skin redness, itching or mild swelling where you inject. Some people on the tablets or inj