Novo Nordisk Launches World’s First Oral GLP-1
The first oral GLP-1 for weight loss treatment has been launched in the U.S. by Novo Nordisk, with pricing starting at USD 149 per month and availability at over 70,000 pharmacies in the country.
Global healthcare company, Novo Nordisk, has announced the U.S. launch of semaglutide (Wegovy) pills — making the drug the first FDA-approved oral glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those that are overweight with weight-related conditions. The pill, approved by the FDA on Dec. 22, 2025, offers a convenient alternative to the injectable versions of Wegovy and other GLP-1 drugs and will be stocked at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies. Dosing starts at 1.5 mg, escalating to 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg, and self-pay pricing options begin at USD 149 per month, with commercially insured patients eligible to pay as low as USD 25 per month via savings offers.
The FDA’s approval decision was made based on data from Novo’s Phase III OASIS 4 trial, a 64-week study of 307 adults without diabetes. The clinical trial demonstrated that 76% of semaglutide pill users achieved at least 5% body weight reduction versus 31% on placebo. The average weight loss was 16.6% from baseline for patients that completed treatment, and 13.6% regardless of adherence — compared to 3% and 2% for placebo, respectively, when combined with diet and exercise. Common side effects mirrored those of the injectable Wegovy, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
“We know there are people who are interested in addressing their weight but have been waiting on the sidelines for a medicine that was right for them,” said Ed Cinca, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Patient Solutions at Novo Nordisk, in a company press release (1). “Wegovy pill is here, and it represents a significant innovation as the first and only GLP-1 pill for weight loss. This moment is about changing what's possible in weight management, and to make that possible, we have worked to ensure Wegovy pill is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care.”
GLP-1 drugs, which mimic a natural hormone released after eating, were first developed for type 2 diabetes but are now central to medical obesity treatment by suppressing appetite and reducing body weight. Global demand has surged as obesity and diabetes rates climb, driving widespread use of agents such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound). Analysts now see GLP-1s as one of the most valuable drug classes in pharma, with obesity-focused GLP-1 revenues projected to grow from roughly USD 8 billion in 2025 to more than USD 65 billion by 2035 (2).
References
1. Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy Pill, the First and Only Oral GLP-1 for Weight Loss in Adults, Now Broadly Available Across America. Press Release, Jan. 5, 2026.
Future Market Insights. Obesity GLP-1 Market. Market Research Report, Oct. 14, 2025.