The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the first glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist weight-loss tablet for use in the UK.
The once-daily semaglutide tablet, marketed by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk under the Wegovy brand, offers an oral alternative to the injectable GLP-1 formulations currently used for weight management. According to the company, the pill should be taken on an empty stomach after a fasting period of eight hours, with water, 30 minutes before eating. Based on the trial, many participants on the pill – 74 per cent – experienced side effects, which were reported to be mild-to-moderate and involved nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
The MHRA has authorised the medicine for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, and for overweight adults with weight-related comorbidities. The oral regimen starts at 1.5mg, with dose escalation to 4mg, 9mg and 25mg. In the OASIS 4 trial, Wegovy tablets were taken at a 25mg dose; among 307 adults. Participants lost an average of 17.6kg during treatment, while those on placebo lost about 3% of their body weight.
Novo Nordisk has indicated that the tablets are expected to be available via private providers within weeks. Access via the NHS will depend on a subsequent appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), a process that may take several months.
Sebnem Avsar Tuna, general manager at Novo Nordisk UK, added, “This marks an important milestone for obesity care in the UK. For the first time, people living with obesity have access to a GLP-1 treatment in a daily pill, allowing them the choice and flexibility of oral treatment to support their long-term weight management.”