Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Launches Nationwide With Lower Prices

Americans hoping for a simpler, more accessible way to tackle weight loss now have a new option: the Wegovy pill. On January 5, 2026, Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical giant, announced the nationwide rollout of its daily oral GLP-1 medication, marking a significant milestone in obesity treatment. The pill, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just two weeks earlier on December 22, 2025, is the first and only oral GLP-1 therapy designed specifically for weight loss in adults.

This new medication, available by prescription, is already being stocked at more than 70,000 pharmacies across the United States—think CVS, Costco, and beyond. For those who prefer digital convenience, the pill can also be delivered through telehealth providers like Ro, LifeMD, Weight Watchers, GoodRx, and Novo Nordisk’s own NovoCare Pharmacy. "We are launching the Wegovy pill like we have never launched before," said Dave Moore, Novo Nordisk's executive director of U.S. operations, in an interview with Good Morning America. "It's our opportunity to bring this new medicine to market in all channels, all at once."

The Wegovy pill’s active ingredient is semaglutide, the same compound powering the blockbuster injectable Wegovy and diabetes drug Ozempic. It works by mimicking the action of the gut hormone GLP-1, slowing food movement through the stomach and curbing appetite. This mechanism not only helps with weight loss but, as the FDA’s approval notes, also reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events—such as heart attack, stroke, or death—in adults with obesity or overweight and established heart disease.

Affordability has long been a sticking point for weight-loss drugs, with the injectable versions of GLP-1 medications often carrying a list price of around $1,000 per month. Novo Nordisk’s new pill aims to change that. For self-pay patients, the cash price for the 1.5 mg starter dose is $149 per month, with higher doses available for $199 to $299 per month depending on strength. Patients with insurance coverage can pay as little as $25 per month, thanks to a savings program offered by Novo Nordisk. There’s even a direct-to-consumer deal with President Donald Trump’s TrumpRx website, allowing cash-paying patients to access the starter dose for $149 per month starting this January.

For many, the pill’s affordability could be a game-changer. According to Novo Nordisk, more than 100 million Americans are living with obesity, and the high cost of injectable GLP-1 drugs has been a major barrier. Ed Cinca, Novo Nordisk's senior vice president of marketing and patient solutions, put it plainly in a press release: "This moment is about changing what's possible in weight management, and to make that possible, we have worked to ensure [the Wegovy pill] is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care."

But what about the science? The Wegovy pill’s effectiveness has been put to the test in large clinical trials. In the OASIS 4 phase 3 study, which tracked 307 adults with obesity or overweight (and at least one weight-related medical condition) for 64 weeks, the results were striking. Patients who stayed on the highest dose of the pill lost an average of 17% of their body weight, compared to about 3% for those on placebo. When all participants were included—regardless of whether they completed the trial—the average weight loss was about 14% for those on the pill, versus 2% on placebo. These results are in line with the injectable version of Wegovy, which has been prescribed to millions since its launch in 2021.

Of course, no medication is without side effects. The most common complaints in the OASIS 4 trial and other studies were gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. About 7% of participants in the Wegovy pill trial discontinued the drug due to side effects, compared to 6% on placebo. These rates are similar to those seen with the injectable form. Novo Nordisk’s prescribing information also highlights more serious risks, including the possibility of thyroid tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, low blood sugar (especially in those taking diabetes medications), and mental health changes. Patients are urged to discuss their full medical history with their healthcare provider before starting the medication.

Convenience is another selling point. Unlike the weekly injections, the Wegovy pill is taken once daily. However, there’s a catch: it must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, and patients are instructed not to eat, drink, or take other medications for 30 minutes afterward. This requirement is similar to that of Rybelsus, another oral semaglutide approved for diabetes, and it might be a minor hurdle for some. By contrast, Eli Lilly’s forthcoming oral GLP-1 pill, orforglipron, does not have such restrictions and can be taken at any time of day. While the two pills haven’t been compared head-to-head, early studies suggest the Wegovy pill may be slightly more effective in terms of weight loss.

The arrival of the Wegovy pill signals a new era in the battle against obesity—a disease that, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes, is influenced by a complex web of genetics, environment, and social factors. GLP-1 medications have soared in popularity in recent years, with about one in eight U.S. adults now taking one, according to a survey by KFF, a health policy research group. The market for these drugs is booming: analysts at Goldman Sachs estimate that oral GLP-1 drugs could capture a $22 billion share of the global weight loss drug market by 2030.

Competition is heating up. Eli Lilly’s orforglipron is expected to receive FDA approval by the summer of 2026 and will be priced similarly to Wegovy’s starting dose, with higher strengths costing up to $399 per month. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk continues to expand its reach, offering the Wegovy pill through a wide range of pharmacies and telehealth providers, and pursuing strategic partnerships to ensure patients have access to authentic, FDA-approved medications.

For patients, the choice between pills and injections may come down to lifestyle, convenience, and insurance coverage. But the message from Novo Nordisk is clear: for many Americans, the wait for an effective, accessible weight-loss pill is finally over. As Ed Cinca summed up, "For many of them, that wait is over as we can now offer the powerful efficacy of Wegovy in a once-daily pill that demonstrated about 17% weight loss, if all patients stayed on treatment."

With millions already prescribed the injectable version and a new oral option now widely available, the landscape of obesity treatment in the U.S. is shifting fast—and for many, that could make all the difference.