Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Pill in US: First Oral GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Hits Market January 2026

Novo Nordisk Launches Wegovy Pill: Revolutionary Oral Weight Loss Treatment Now Available in the USOn January 5, 2026, Novo Nordisk officially launched the Wegovy pill in the United States, marking a historic milestone as the first and only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved for chronic weight management. This once-daily pill, containing the same active ingredient semaglutide as the injectable Wegovy, provides a needle-free alternative for adults with obesity or overweight conditions, combined with diet and exercise.The launch follows FDA approval in late December 2025 and comes with aggressive pricing to broaden access: starter doses (1.5 mg and 4 mg) at $149 per month for self-paying patients, with higher doses (9 mg and 25 mg) at $299. Insured patients may pay as little as $25 monthly through savings programs.Novo Nordisk executives hailed the pill as a game-changer, emphasizing its convenience for patients averse to injections while delivering comparable efficacy—up to ~17% average weight loss in trials when patients stayed on treatment.Clinical Efficacy and Approval DetailsThe Wegovy pill builds on the proven success of injectable semaglutide. In the pivotal OASIS 4 phase 3 trial:Patients achieved ~17% weight loss on the 25 mg dose if adhering to treatment. ~14% average loss regardless of adherence. Similar side effects to the injection (primarily mild gastrointestinal issues like nausea). The pill is also approved to reduce major cardiovascular risks in adults with obesity/overweight and established heart disease, aligning with the injectable version's label.Novo prepared extensively for this launch, ramping up US manufacturing in North Carolina to avoid the shortages that plagued early Wegovy injection rollouts. Starting doses are immediately available at over 70,000 pharmacies (CVS, Costco, etc.) and telehealth providers (Ro, LifeMD, Weight Watchers, GoodRx, NovoCare Pharmacy).Pricing Strategy and AccessibilityNovo's aggressive pricing undercuts typical GLP-1 list prices (~$1,000+/month) and responds to competition:Starter 1.5 mg and 4 mg: $149/month (4 mg rises to $199 after April 15, 2026). Higher doses: $299/month. Deals with the Trump administration enable $149 starter pricing via TrumpRx site and expanded Medicare/Medicaid access. This positions the pill to attract "sideline" patients waiting for non-injectable options, potentially expanding the market beyond current ~100 million eligible Americans.Market Impact and CompetitionThe launch boosted Novo Nordisk shares over 4% on January 5, offering relief after a challenging 2025 with profit warnings and job cuts amid Eli Lilly's Zepbound gaining ground.Eli Lilly's oral GLP-1 orforglipron awaits FDA decision (expected March 2026), setting up direct rivalry. Analysts predict the pill could help Novo regain share by appealing to needle-phobic patients and easing supply logistics (no refrigeration needed).Broader implications include intensified price wars, increased telehealth adoption, and greater obesity treatment penetration.Patient and Expert PerspectivesNovo's Ed Cinca stated: "For many, the wait is over—we now offer Wegovy's powerful efficacy in a once-daily pill."Doctors welcome the option, noting it removes injection barriers while maintaining proven results. Patients must take it on an empty stomach with water, waiting 30 minutes before eating.As the first oral entrant in a booming category, the Wegovy pill could redefine weight management accessibility in 2026 and beyond.