FDA Approves Pill Version of Weight Loss Drug Wegovy
It is about to get easier to lose weight. A new drug approval will make it simpler and more affordable for Americans wanting to use GLP-1 weight loss medications. Here are all of the details.
FDA Approves Pill Version of Popular Weight Loss Drug
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a daily pill version of the weight loss drug Wegovy last week. The new pill option offers another way for patients to lean into the power of GLP-1 weight loss drugs. Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk calls the drug the Wegovy pill. The pill uses the active ingredient of semaglutide, the same component used in Ozempic.
Both Wegovy and Ozempic work by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1. The drugs are currently administered as weekly injections, similar to the rival drugs from manufacturer Eli Lilly known as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
There is no denying the immense popularity of these weight loss drugs. According to the health policy research group KFF, approximately 1 in 8 adults report using one of these types of medications. Physicians credit the drug for also bringing down death rates due to cardiac events while lowering sleep apnea cases and improving liver function.
Novo Nordisk reported that its Wegovy pill delivered similar weight loss and side effects in its clinical trials as the traditional injectable shot. The pill will be available via prescription in the U.S. beginning in January. The initial dose of the Wegovy pill is slated to cost $149 for patients paying out of pocket. This lower cost is the result of an agreement between the Trump administration and Novo Nordisk.
Some patients can expect their insurance companies to cover part of the cost of the drug. The pill will likely become more expensive as the doses increase; however, these prices have not been released by Novo Nordisk yet.
In addition to the pill form of the drug from Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly is also expected to release its pill version later this summer.
The Wegovy pill demonstrated an average weight loss of 14% over a period of 64 weeks. This compares to 2% for the placebo. The Eli Lilly pill showed a weight loss of 11% over 72 weeks when on the highest dose, compared to 2% for the group taking placebos. The Wegovy injection had a weight loss rate of 15% in its primary trial, compared to 2% for the placebo group. Lastly, the Zepbound injection had a weight loss of 21% on the highest possible dose, compared to a placebo loss of 3%.
The most commonly experienced side effects associated with GLP-1 drugs are gastrointestinal impacts such as nausea and vomiting. Approximately 7% of the trial participants using the Wegovy pill stopped treatment due to the side effects. Up to 10% of patients elected to stop treatment of the Eli Lilly pill.
Differences Between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Weight Loss Pills
Patients who choose to use the Wegovy pill will be directed to take the medication on an empty stomach with just a small amount of water. They will also be instructed not to eat, drink, or take any other medications for 30 minutes after taking the Wegovy pill.
Eli Lilly said that its pill version can be taken without any restrictions on food or water. The absence of restrictions could make the Lilly pill the more attractive option.
Some medical experts believe that the pills may become a popular choice for patients who need to maintain their goal weight after using the injectable version of the drugs. Eli Lilly recently announced that clinical trial results showed that patients who switched to their pill after losing weight on Wegovy or Zepbound regained fewer pounds when compared to the placebo group.
Health care professionals warn that while the price of a starting dose of the Wegovy pill is more affordable than the current costs of the injectable drugs, most patients will end up paying significantly more. These types of GLP-1 drugs are engineered to start at a low dose, with patients ramping up the treatment over time. The gradual ramp-up is recommended as a tool in fighting the side effects.
The Wegovy pill will come in doses of 1.5 milligrams, 4 milligrams, 9 milligrams, and 25 milligrams. The lowest dose is traditionally used to acclimate the body to the drug. This means that the initial price of $149 is not likely what most patients will pay in the long run.
Eli Lilly also confirmed that it will offer its pill at a starting price of $149 under the agreement with the Trump administration. However, the company said that additional doses will cost consumers up to $399 when paying cash.
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