Wegovy
Weekly injection containing semaglutide. Average weight loss of 21% on 7.2mg after 72 weeks.
Comparing GLP-1 injections and pills in the UK
Weight loss treatments with GLP-1 active ingredients have grown in popularity, both internationally and in the UK. At first, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Nevolat were the only GLP-1s licensed for weight loss. Now there are two GLP-1 pills available in the UK: the Wegovy pill, which is the first GLP-1 tablet to become available in the UK for weight loss, and Foundayo (orforglipron) which was approved in August 2026.
In this guide, our experts provide in-depth comparison between available GLP-1 injections and pills so that you can make a choice that works for you.
Medically reviewed by
Dr Brenda IkejiLast reviewed: 18 Aug 2026
What's on this page?
- 1. What are GLP-1 medications and how do they work?
- 2. GLP-1 injections available in the UK
- 3. GLP-1 pills available in the UK
- 4. GLP-1 injections and pills comparison table
- 5. Injections vs pills: key considerations
- 6. Do GLP-1 pills work as well as injections?
- 7. How to access GLP-1 treatments in the UK
- 8. Check your eligibility with our BMI calculator
- 9. Frequently asked questions
What are GLP-1 medications and how do they work?
GLP-1 medications work by lowering your appetite, slowing down your digestion, which helps you feel fuller, and reducing ‘food noise’ – the amount you are bothered by thoughts about food. They also help control blood sugar, which is why they can also be used to treat diabetes.
There are 3 main GLP-1 active ingredients available for weight loss in the UK. They include:
- semaglutide – Wegovy injections, Wegovy pills, Ozempic (diabetes injection), and Rybelsus (diabetes pill)
- tirzepatide – Mounjaro injections
- liraglutide – Nevolat injections
- orforglipron – Foundayo pill
GLP-1 injections available in the UK
There are three GLP-1 injections available for weight loss in the UK – Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Nevolat.
Mounjaro
Weekly injection containing tirzepatide. Average weight loss of 22.5% on 15mg after 72 weeks.
Nevolat
Daily injection containing liraglutide. Average weight loss of 8% on 3mg after 56 weeks.
Wegovy (semaglutide) – Weekly injection
Wegovy is a weekly injection which has the strongest evidence for weight loss and heart health outcomes.
Key facts:
- Active ingredient – Semaglutide
- How often – Once-weekly injection
- Average weight loss – 21% of starting body weight after 72 weeks on the 7.2mg dose.
- UK status – Approved for weight loss by the MHRA and available through private prescribers like ZAVA and specialist NHS weight management services.
- Main advantage – Improvement to heart health. Wegovy is recommended for lowering risks of heart disease in eligible patients.
- Best suited to you if – You are looking for once-weekly treatment backed by extensive clinical evidence.
The STEP clinical trials showed that semaglutide injections (Wegovy) supported substantial weight loss in patients when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) - Weekly injection
Mounjaro is currently the most effective approved weight loss medication available in the UK. Unlike other GLP-1 medications, Mounjaro acts on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors to reduce appetite and support weight loss.
Key facts:
- Active ingredient – Tirzepatide
- How often – Once-weekly injection
- Average weight loss – 22.5% of starting body weight after 72 weeks on the 15mg dose.
- UK status – Approved for weight loss by the MHRA,available through private prescribers like ZAVA and specialist NHS weight management services.
- Main advantage – The dual GLP-1 and GIP action makes it the most effective treatment option.
- Best suited to you if – You want the strongest reduction to your appetite at the maximum dose.
There is currently no Mounjaro tablet or oral tirzepatide available in the UK. If you’re looking for a GLP-1 pill, tirzepatide is not an option. It is also unlikely to become an option since the active ingredient breaks down too quickly in the stomach for it to be effective.
Nevolat (liraglutide) - Daily injection
Nevolat contains liraglutide, the same active ingredient that used to be available under the brand name ‘Saxenda’.
Key facts:
- Active ingredient – Liraglutide
- How often – Once-daily injection
- Average weight loss – 8% of starting body weight after 56 weeks on the 3mg dose.
- UK status – Approved for weight loss by the MHRA and available through private prescribers like ZAVA and specialist NHS weight management services.
- Main advantage – As a generic treatment, it can be available at a lower price.
- Best suited to you if – You are concerned about treatment costs and less worried about having the strongest effect.
Even though the average weight loss on Nevolat is generally lower than with Wegovy or Mounjaro, it is still an effective weight loss treatment for many people.
GLP-1 pills available in the UK
There are two GLP-1 pills available for weight loss in the UK – the Wegovy pill and Foundayo.
Wegovy pills
Daily pill containing semaglutide. Average weight loss of 17% on 25mg after 64 weeks.
Foundayo
Daily pill containing orforglipron. Average weight loss of 12.4% on 17.2mg after 72 weeks.
Wegovy (semaglutide) – Daily pill
Even though the Wegovy pill has the same active ingredient as the injections, it is not used in exactly the same way and it leads to slightly less average weight loss.
Key facts:
- Active ingredient – Semaglutide
- How often – Once-daily pill
- How it’s taken – On an empty stomach after at least 8 hours of fasting with no more than 120ml of water, you must wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking after taking it
- Average weight loss – 17% of starting body weight after 64 weeks on the 25mg dose.
- UK status – Approved for weight loss by the MHRA approved and available through private prescribers like ZAVA. Not available on the NHS.
- Main advantage – A daily pill that can be more convenient to use and travel with. Has the same heart health benefits as Wegovy injections.
- Best suited if you – Are looking for a convenient daily pill option or don’t feel comfortable self-injecting.
Although the Wegovy pill results in a slightly lower average weight loss than the injections, it is still an effective alternative for many people.
Foundayo (orforglipron) – Daily pill
Foundayo works in the same way as the Wegovy pill but it contains a different active ingredient, orforglipron. Orforglipron is a small-molecule GLP-1, because of this, it can be taken without food or drink restrictions.
Key facts:
- Active ingredient – Orforglipron
- How often – Once-daily pill
- How it’s taken – Daily, without food or drink restrictions meaning you can swallow it whole or with water.
- Average weight loss – 12.4% of starting body weight after 72 weeks on the 17.5mg dose.
- UK status – Approved for weight loss by the MHRA approved. Not available on the NHS.
- Main advantage – A daily pill that can be more convenient to use and travel with.
- Best suited if you – Are looking for a convenient daily pill option or don’t feel comfortable self-injecting. Also good if you need a pill with flexibility (without food or drink restrictions).
Although, like the Wegovy pill, the Foundayo results in a slightly lower average weight loss than the injections, it is still an effective alternative for many people.
GLP-1 injections and pills comparison table
While all GLP-1 medications work in a similar way, there are a number of key differences between the different injections and the Wegovy pill.
Wegovy injections
Mounjaro injections
Nevolat injections
Wegovy pills
Foundayo
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide | Tirzepatide | Liraglutide | Semaglutide | Orforglipron |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How often? | Once weekly | Once weekly | Once daily | Once daily | Once daily |
| How are they taken? | Injection | Injection | Injection | Oral tablet | Oral tablet |
| Avg. weight loss | 21%* | 22.5%* | 8%* | 17%* | 12.4% |
| Type of medication | GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 + GIP dual agonist | GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist | GLP-1 agonist |
| Offered on the NHS? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not yet | Not yet |
| Food and drink restrictions | None | None | None | Empty stomach, small amount of water (120ml max) & 30-min wait | None |
| Needle required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| UK status | MHRA approved, available | ||||
Wegovy injections
Active ingredient
Semaglutide
How often?
Once weekly
How are they taken?
Injection
Avg. weight loss
21%*
Type of medication
GLP-1 agonist
UK status
MHRA approved, available
Offered on the NHS?
Yes
Food and drink restrictions
None
Needle required
Yes
← Swipe left to view Mounjaro injections
Mounjaro injections
Active ingredient
Tirzepatide
How often?
Once weekly
How are they taken?
Injection
Avg. weight loss
22.5%*
Type of medication
GLP-1 + GIP dual agonist
UK status
MHRA approved, available
Offered on the NHS?
Yes
Food and drink restrictions
None
Needle required
Yes
← Swipe left to view Nevolat injections and swipe right to view Wegovy injections →
Nevolat injections
Active ingredient
Liraglutide
How often?
Once daily
How are they taken?
Injection
Avg. weight loss
8%*
Type of medication
GLP-1 agonist
UK status
MHRA approved, available
Offered on the NHS?
Yes
Food and drink restrictions
None
Needle required
Yes
← Swipe left to view Wegovy pills and swipe right to view Mounjaro injections →
Wegovy pills
Active ingredient
Semaglutide
How often?
Once daily
How are they taken?
Oral tablet
Avg. weight loss
17%*
Type of medication
GLP-1 agonist
UK status
MHRA approved, available
Offered on the NHS?
Not yet
Food and drink restrictions
Empty stomach, small amount of water (120ml max) & 30-min wait
Needle required
No
← Swipe left to view Foundayo and swipe right to view Nevolat injections →
Foundayo
Active ingredient
Orforglipron
How often?
Once daily
How are they taken?
Oral tablet
Avg. weight loss
12.4%
Type of medication
GLP-1 agonist
UK status
MHRA approved, available
Offered on the NHS?
Not yet
Food and drink restrictions
None
Needle required
No
Swipe right to view Wegovy pills →
Swipe sideways to view more information
*data taken from the emc’s Summary of Product Characteristics for each medication
Injections vs pills: key considerations
Each person has different requirements and preferences when it comes to weight loss treatment. It might be that you want the most effective medication, but you may also be more interested in cost, convenience, or other factors.
Effectiveness
How much average weight you could lose
Convenience
Planning to take your dose or travelling
Side effects
The chance of them, what they are, and how long they last
Cost and access
People have different budgets for accessing treatment
Who can take them
Not everyone can use GLP-1 medications
Click on each consideration for more information
Effectiveness
For many, it matters how much weight you could lose and the effect on their appetite.
Overall, weekly weight loss injections are the most effective GLP-1 medications – between 21% to 22.5% average starting weight loss. Then Wegovy pills come next at 17% average weight loss. Finally, daily Nevolat injections lead to 8% weight loss on average.
Remember though, every body is different. All these treatments are proven to support significant weight loss when used alongside a healthy diet and exercise.
Convenience
What you find most convenient is a personal preference. Depending on how you find it easiest to plan for and use your medication, some GLP-1 treatments may suit you better than others:
- Prefer something you have to take less often? – Weekly injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro might fit best.
- Don’t want to keep track of which day of the week your dose is due? – Daily treatments like the Wegovy pill and Nevolat might be easier to keep track of.
- Don’t feel comfortable self-injecting your medication? – The Wegovy pill or Foundayo might be right for you.
- Want to be able to travel easily? – Wegovy pills or Foundayo might be a good choice since there’s no cold storage required.
Side effects
All GLP-1 medications can cause side effects, although not everyone will get them. All GLP-1 treatments tend to cause similar side effects, but these can vary between pill and injection treatments:
- Common side effects include – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation.
- Side effects are more likely when – You start and when you increase your dose.
- Most side effects are mild and go away by themselves.
- You can choose to stay on a lower dose or move down – If you get side effects if you’re worried about them.
- Stomach-related side effects – More likely with the Wegovy pill, because of the way the medication is absorbed in your digestive system.
Remember injections come with the risk of injection-site-related side effects, which the Wegovy pill doesn’t cause.
Cost and access
Some people would prefer to get their weight loss treatment on the NHS due to the lower costs. However, the NHS has stricter prescribing criteria and you would need a reference to a weight management specialist.
Private providers that are CQC-regulated and include GPhC-registered pharmacies can make it easier to access weight loss treatments, but they can also be more expensive. Although, price does depend on which treatment you pick, with generic Nevolat sometimes being less expensive.
Who can take them
Not everyone can use GLP-1 medications. Since they work in a similar way, someone who can't take one GLP-1 treatment usually can't switch to another instead.
GLP-1 treatments are normally not recommended for people who:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- have severe kidney or liver disease
- have a history of pancreatitis
A consultation with a doctor can help you figure out whether GLP-1 medications are safe for you to take, or they can suggest alternatives if not.
Do GLP-1 pills work as well as injections?
Yes, for many patients. The Wegovy pill leads to slightly lower average weight loss (17%) along with Foundayo (12.4%) than Wegovy (21%) and Mounjaro (22.5%) injections, but more average weight loss than Nevolat (8%).
Still, people respond to medications differently, so the Wegovy pill could work better for some people than injections. Also, many people may not feel comfortable using injections, in which case the Wegovy pill offers an effective alternative.
All GLP-1 medications licensed for weight loss in the UK are proven to work when taken alongside a healthy diet and exercise.
How to access GLP-1 treatments in the UK
To make sure you’re receiving treatment safely, it’s important that GLP-1 medications are approved for you by a doctor. You can get a doctor assessment for GLP-1 weight loss treatment either on the NHS or from a private provider.
NHS
In order to get GLP-1 medication prescribed for weight loss on the NHS, you need to be referred to a specialist weight management service. A GP will normally only do this once you have tried to lose weight without medication first.
The NHS uses their own prescribing criteria to decide if a person is eligible for GLP-1 treatment. This includes a BMI of between 27.5 and 30 or more, depending on your ethnic background and whether you have any weight-related health conditions like high blood pressure.
Private providers
If you’d like to access weight loss treatments without having to go through the NHS, private providers can help.
Providers like ZAVA offer remote assessment for GLP-1 weight loss treatment using manufacturer prescribing criteria, including:
- a BMI of 30 or more
- a BMI of 27 or more if you have a weight-related health condition
To request treatment:
- Complete a short, 5-minute questionnaire.
- Take a few photos and provide ID.
- Log in and provide payment details.
- A doctor will check your answers and photos to confirm whether treatment is right for you.
- If your request is approved, your treatment can be sent to your door via free delivery.
When requesting treatment online, remember to only use services that are CQC-regulated with pharmacies that are GPhC-registered.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a Mounjaro pill available in the UK?
No. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is only available as a once-weekly injection. There is currently no approved oral form of tirzepatide in the UK. It is also unlikely that there will ever be a tablet version of tirzepatide because it breaks down too quickly in the stomach to be effective. The only GLP-1 tablets available in the UK for weight loss are the Wegovy pill and Foundayo.
Can I switch from a GLP-1 injection to the Wegovy pill?
As long as GLP-1 treatment is still right for you, you can. A doctor can help confirm it’s safe for you to switch. Depending on your current dose and whether you’ve had difficult side effects or not, you may be able to switch to a dose higher than the starting dose.
Read our guide on switching from injections to the Wegovy pill for more information.
Can I switch from a GLP-1 injection to the Foundayo?
Yes, you can, if a doctor has confirmed that it is safe for you to switch. You should only switch treatments if your current medication is not working for you, or if you are experiencing difficult side effects.
Do GLP-1 pills have the same side effects as injections?
Mostly. Both tablets and injections commonly cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, particularly when you start or increase your dose. Tablets avoid injection site reactions, but can be more likely to cause stomach-related side effects.
For more information browse through our guides on on side effects of GLP-1 pills and injections:
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Last reviewed: 18 Aug 2026
Sources
Weight management injections, NHS [accessed 14 August 2026]
Nevolat 6 mg/ml solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 14 August 2026]
Mounjaro KwikPen 2.5mg solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 14 August 2026]
Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen, emc [accessed 14 August 2026]
Wegovy 25 mg tablets, emc [accessed 14 August 2026]
Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment, New England Journal of Medicine [accessed 14 August 2026]
Foundayo 12.5mg, emc [accessed 14 August 2026]
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