Are Wegovy® Pills and other Oral Weight Loss Medications Worth the Wait? What the Clinical Data Shows

Written by Alexis Begliomini, PA-C | Medically Reviewed by Dr. James Buwen, FACOS on November 14, 2025

Updated on December 23, 2025 to include the FDA approval of the Wegovy®pill by Novo Nordisk.

With FDA-approval of the Wegovy® pill by Novo Nordisk in December 2025, the first oral versions ofGLP-1 weight loss medications are scheduled to reach the market in January 2026. Eli Lilly’s weight loss pill, Orforglipron, is still awaiting FDA-approval and is expected by the summer of 2026.

This is good news for patients who prefer to avoid weight loss injections as these oral glp-1 weight loss pills combined with proper nutrition and physical activity offer a new way to treat obesity. For more than three years, injectable medications such as Wegovy® and Zepbound® have helped medical weight loss patients at New Jersey Bariatric Center® lose on average 15-20% of their excess body weight. Yet barriers remained for those with a strong aversion to needles or with limited access due to the cost of injectables until now but are these pills worth the wait?

Key Takeaways

Wegovy® Pill (oral semaglutide, 25 mg, Novo Nordisk) was FDA-approved for weight loss on December 22nd, 2025 with the medication expected to be available to patients in early January 2026.
Oral GLP-1 weight loss medication Orfoglipron (Eli Lilly) is nearing an FDA decision with available expect mid-2026
Clinical trials show meaningful results: 12-16%^1,2 average weight loss, which is slightly less than injectables
Side effects are similar: mostly gastrointestinal, such as nausea or diarrhea, typically improving over 2–3 months.
Who could wait for approval and availability: patients with needle anxiety and stable health; those needing immediate metabolic improvement should consider current injectables, nutritional counseling or other weight loss options.

Oral GLP-1 Weight Loss Medications - The Clinical Evidence

Two companies—Novo Nordisk® and Eli Lilly®—are leading development of oral weight loss medications.

Oral Semaglutide® (Novo Nordisk)

Semaglutide is the active ingredient in popular weight loss injectable, Wegovy®. Lower-dose oral semaglutide (7–14 mg) is already approved under the brand name Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes. There is a new higher oral dose semaglutide that targets adults with obesity, regardless if they have type 2 diabetes. In May 2025, Novo Nordisk® submitted this new dose for FDA review. The application is based on a 64-week trial of 307 adults with obesity but without diabetes.³ Participants on oral semaglutide lost an average of about 16.6% of their body weight.⁴ The FDA approved the Wegovy® pill for weight loss on December 22, 2025 and it’s expected to be available to patients in early January 2026.³

Orforglipron (Eli Lilly)

Eli Lilly has been working on trials of a new oral weight loss medication called orfoglipron. In one study of 3,127 adults with obesity but not diabetes, those taking the highest dose lost an average of 27 pounds, or 12.4 % of body weight, over 72 weeks.¹ Lilly expects to submit its FDA application of the new drug by the end of 2025.⁵

While injectable medications like Wegovy® and Zepbound® often achieve 15-20% weight loss^6,7, the results of this trial are still clinically meaningful as a 10-15% reduction of body weight provides significant metabolic benefits.

Feature	Injectable GLP-1s (e.g., Wegovy®, Zepbound®)	Wegovy® Pill	Orforglipron
Administration	Weekly injection	Daily pill	Daily pill
Average Weight Loss	15–20 %	16 %	12%
Key Candidates	Adults with obesity	Adults with obesity	Adults with obesity
Common Side Effects	Nausea, constipation	Nausea, diarrhea	Nausea, diarrhea
FDA Status	Approved (since 2021–2023)	Approved December 2025	Under review (expected 2026)

Why Some Individuals May Prefer Pills vs Injectables

Needle Aversion: Anxiety around needles is more common than many realize. For some patients, it’s the main reason they decline or hesitate in deciding on injectable treatments. A daily pill removes that obstacle. The Wegovy® and other oral GLP-1 weight loss medication requires no refrigeration, no weekly preparation, and no logistical issues while traveling. For frequent travelers or those in shared living situations, that simplicity matters.

Tablets also have a potential manufacturing advantage: they’re easier to scale and distribute, which could improve supply and, over time, lower costs.

Weight Loss Medication Costs: Injectable GLP-1 medications range anywhere from $900 to $1500 per month out of pocket. In November 2025, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both reached similar deals with the Trump administration to sell the lowest dose of oral GLP-1 medications for $149 per month out of pocket.⁹

Should You Wait for Oral Options?

The decision to wait to start your medical weight loss journey depends on your medical priorities and how comfortable you are with injections.

If you have obesity-related conditions—such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea—starting now with an approved injectable GLP-1 may make sense. Injectable GLP-1s such as Wegovy® have also demonstrated cardiovascular risk reduction in high-risk patients, an advantage not yet confirmed for the upcoming oral versions.⁸
If needle anxiety is the main obstacle and your health risks are stable, waiting for an oral alternative could be reasonable. The key is to use that time productively. For example, you could make an appointment to meet with a registered dietitian to lay out your nutrition goals and get started on a weight loss plan.

Ready to make an appointment? Click here.

Oral GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication Side Effects

Oral GLP-1s share similar side effects with injectables—mainly nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal discomfort. In orforglipron trials, diarrhea appeared slightly more common than nausea. (1) Most gastrointestinal symptoms lessen after 8–12 weeks as the body adjusts.

What to Do While You Wait for Oral Weight Loss Meds

Establish care early. Connect with a weight-loss doctor at New Jersey Bariatric Center® so you’re ready when oral treatments launch or talk about other options you can begin now. Start seeing one of our registered dietitians now to help jumpstart your lifestyle changes and, ultimately, your weight loss.
Strengthen your foundation. GLP-1s improve weight loss results but depend on healthy habits. Start focusing on healthy nutritional habits and add more movement to your daily routine now.
Check your insurance. Coverage for weight loss medications vary. Understanding your benefits early can prevent delays later. Call your insurance provider to verify your coverage.

The Realistic Timeline

The FDA approved the Wegovy® pill on December 22, 2025 and the medication should be available to patients in early January 2026. If the FDA stays on this schedule, orforglipron is likely to receive approval in early-to-mid 2026. After FDA approval, production and insurance processes take time.

Next Steps

If you are struggling with weight-related health issues that are progressing now, meet with an NJBC weight loss doctor to discuss whether starting treatment now or waiting for oral medications is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much weight can I expect to lose with oral GLP-1 weight loss medications?

On average, patients can expect to lose 15-20% of their body weight when using oral GLP-1 weight loss medications.

How long will I need to take oral GLP-1 weight loss medications and will I regain the weight if I stop?

Similarly to GLP-1 injections, many patients will choose to continue treatment long-term for the best results. It is possible to regain weight after stopping any weight loss medication. At New Jersey Bariatric Center®, we offer a comprehensive approach that pairs weight loss medications with exercise and nutrition support to help you build sustainable habits that help to minimize weight re-gain.

Are oral GLP-1 weight loss pills going to be more affordable than GLP-1 injections?

Pricing information for oral GLP-1 weight loss medications has yet to be determined. This information will become available once the medication reaches FDA-approval and insurance companies offer coverage.

Sources:

Lilly’s oral GLP-1, Orforglipron, delivers weight loss of up to an average of 27.3 lbs in first of two pivotal phase 3 trials in adults with obesity | Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). https://investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-oral-glp-1-orforglipron-delivers-weight-loss-average-273
News details. Novo Nordisk. (n.d.). https://www.novonordisk-us.com/media/news-archive/news-details.html?id=916429
Tirrell M. With FDA approval of Wegovy pill, new era of oral GLP-1 weight loss drugs begins. CNN. Published December 22, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/22/health/wegovy-pill-glp1-weight-loss-drugs
Novo Nordisk. (2025, September 17). Novo Nordisk's oral semaglutide 25 mg (Wegovy® in a pill) delivered 16.6% weight loss in people with obesity in a newly published study [Press release]. https://www.novonordisk-us.com/media/news-archive/news-details.html?id=916429
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025, October). What to know about orforglipron oral GLP-1. https://www.lilly.com/news/stories/what-to-know-about-orforglipron
Jastreboff, A. M., Aronne, L. J., Ahmad, N. N., Wharton, S., Connery, L., Alves, B., Kiyosue, A., Zhang, S., Liu, B., Bunck, M. C., & Stefanski, A. (2022). Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T. D., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
Lincoff, A. M., Brown-Frandsen, K., Colhoun, H. M., Deanfield, J., Emerson, S. S., Esbjerg, S., Hardt-Lindberg, S., Hovingh, G. K., Kahn, S. E., Kushner, R. F., Lingvay, I., Oral, T. K., Michelsen, M. M., Plutzky, J., Tornøe, C. W., & Ryan, D. H. (2023). Semaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in obesity without diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 389(24), 2221-2232. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2307563
Jr BL. Trump strikes deal to lower cost of Wegovy, Zepbound weight loss drugs. NBC News. Published November 6, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/trump-weight-loss-drugs-cost-wegovy-zepbound-novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-rcna242309

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalized medical advice. Consult an NJBC doctor to discuss which treatment approach is right for you.