Not necessarily. The best option depends on your routine, treatment history, side effects, weight loss goals, and personal preference.
The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Wegovy injections, but it is taken as a daily tablet instead of a weekly injection. For some people, the convenience of a tablet may make treatment easier to start or easier to stick with.
In clinical trials, the Wegovy pill has shown strong weight loss results. In the OASIS 4 trial, people taking Wegovy 25mg tablets lost an average of 13.6% of their starting body weight after 64 weeks, compared with 2.2% with placebo. When looking at patients who stayed on treatment without additional weight loss therapies, average weight loss was estimated at 16.6%.
Wegovy injections have also shown strong results. In the STEP 1 trial, people taking Wegovy 2.4mg weekly injections lost an average of 14.9% of their starting body weight after 68 weeks, compared with 2.4% with placebo. In patients who stayed on treatment, average weight loss was estimated at 16.9%.
There is also now a newer higher-dose Wegovy 7.2mg weekly injection for suitable adults with obesity. In the STEP UP trial, Wegovy 7.2mg injection showed average weight loss of around 21% after 72 weeks. This may make the 7.2mg injection an option for some patients who need a higher maintenance dose, but it is not suitable for everyone and should only be used if prescribed.
| Treatment | How it is taken | Trial dose | Average weight loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wegovy pill | Daily tablet | 25mg once daily | 13.6% after 64 weeks |
| Wegovy injection | Weekly injection | 2.4mg once weekly | 14.9% after 68 weeks |
| Wegovy 7.2mg injection | Weekly injection | 7.2mg once weekly | Around 21% after 72 weeks |
This means the Wegovy pill may offer similar weight loss results to the standard Wegovy 2.4mg injection for some patients, while offering the benefit of being needle-free. The newer Wegovy 7.2mg injection may offer greater average weight loss for suitable patients, but it involves a higher injectable dose and may not be appropriate for everyone.
Results vary from person to person. Wegovy tablets must also be taken correctly every morning on an empty stomach to work properly.
You may prefer the Wegovy pill if you:
| You dislike needles |
| You travel often and want a tablet option |
| You find injections stressful |
| You prefer daily routines |
| You have had injection-site issues |
| You want to try a GLP-1 but have avoided injections |