Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to know

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Wegovy weight loss pill now available in UK - here's what you need to knowImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A weight loss pill can now be bought privately in pharmaciesBySmitha MundasadHealth reporterPublished8 minutes agoThe once-a-day Wegovy weight loss pill is now available to buy privately from High Street and online pharmacies in the UK - but is not yet on the NHS. It contains the same ingredient - semaglutide - as the Wegovy weight loss injections but is still advised to be used alongside a healthy diet and increased physical activity. So, what do you need to know about this pill version of the skinny jab?

Tablets vs injectionAside from the obvious that one is in pill form and one is an injectable, both treatments work well and trials show they are similarly effective. If you don't like needles, the tablet may be a better option for you. But if you don't like the idea of using something daily or it doesn't suit your lifestyle to fast (not eat) eight hours before taking a pill each day, the injection may be more convenient.

The Details

You can take the once-weekly jab any time of the day but it does need to be stored in the fridge. Who can get the pill and where can you buy it? It's available to people with a BMI of 30 and above (generally considered obese) or a BMI of 27-30 (overweight) if they also have certain weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.

This is essentially the same criteria as people getting the injection. And like the jab, a consultation - either online or face-to-face - is needed to make sure the pill is right for you. A number of online and high street pharmacies say they will have stocks soon to send out.

Some suggest signing up to a waiting or a mailing list to be kept up-to-date. What are the side effects? Image source, Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesThe semaglutide in the jab and pill mimics the actions of a hormone called GPL-1 (glucagon-like-peptide-1), which is released from the intestine after people eat.

What Experts Say

It acts on receptors in the brain that control appetite, making people feel fuller, less hungry and crave food less. Very common side effects with both include stomach problems, like feeling sick, being sick (vomiting), constipation and diarrhoea. With the jab, you may get little bit of skin redness, itching or mild swelling where you inject.

Some people on the tablets or injections may experience stomach pain, headaches and tiredness. More rarely, people can get more serious complications, like low blood sugar, pancreatitis or severe allergic reactions. It's worth checking the patient information leaflet for the full details.

Do not take the medication if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding, and make sure you speak to your doctor about any other medical conditions you have or medication you take. How do weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy work? Published11 JuneHow do you take the pill?

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.