The FDA’s approval of oral semaglutide (Wegovy) marks a watershed moment for obesity and cardiometabolic care, introducing the first once-daily GLP-1 pill with weight loss and cardiovascular risk–reduction benefits.
Backed by robust OASIS and SELECT trial data, the 25 mg oral formulation achieved up to 13.6% mean weight loss at 64 weeks, with consistent efficacy across sex, race, and BMI subgroups—bringing injectable-level outcomes to a pill format. Beyond convenience, the approval has major implications for long-term adherence, access, and scale, particularly for patients reluctant to start or sustain injectable therapies. With GI side effects remaining the most common adverse events but largely mild to moderate, oral semaglutide lowers a key barrier to chronic GLP-1 use. As Novo Nordisk prepares for a January 2026 U.S. launch—and competitors like Eli Lilly’s orforglipron advance through late-stage trials—the obesity market is shifting rapidly toward oral, scalable, and long-duration metabolic therapies, redefining how weight loss and cardiovascular risk are managed in routine clinical practice.