I'm a Doctor and These Are 5 Things Patients Need to Know Before Switching to the New Wegovy Pill

If you're embarking on a weight-loss journey, there have never been more options to consider. GLP-1 injections like Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic have become extremely popular choices. Although these alternatives can come with a high price tag and potential side effects, many individuals have achieved significant results while using them.

Recently, Wegovy was given approval by the FDA to release their drug in pill form to treat obesity. The oral drug, marketed by Novo Nordisk, works comparably to the GLP-1 injectable drugs. They both mimic a natural hormone, helping the patient feel full and better control their appetite.

To help you learn more about this new player in the weight-loss game, we spoke with Dr. Bronwyn Holmes, MD, member of Eden's Medical Advisory Board.

"Both the oral Wegovy pill and the injectable version contain the ingredient: semaglutide." Dr. Holmes shares. "Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps the body regulate appetite, insulin, and weight."

Although both prescription drugs have the same job in mind, your body absorbs each method differently. Both forms of medication vary in ways you should be aware of that will be helpful in making an educated decision before embarking on either method to lose weight.

The way you take each medication differs greatly as well. The oral form may be more attractive than injections to some. But that's not the only difference to compare. There are five things Dr. Holmes shares that you'll want to know before considering switching to or choosing the new Wegovy pill.

Research shows that the injection form of Wegovy can result in greater weight loss than the oral form. In fact, Dr. Holmes found that when patients deviated from the prescription—like not adhering to the thirty-minute window of fasting—or even missing it all together, the effectiveness of the Wegovy pill dropped significantly.

"The efficacy of the Wegovy pill is similar to the efficacy of the injections when the oral Wegovy pill is taken exactly as prescribed," Dr. Holmes says. "Clinical trials show that patients who take the Wegovy pill lose an average of 13.6 percent of their body weight over fifteen months. Patients who receive the injections lose 15 percent. The efficacy of the Wegovy pill depends on how patients stick to the dosing schedule."

Both weight loss journeys—whether taking the pill or injection—involve serious dedication. But the pill is taken every day, whereas the injection is only taken once each week.

"That daily routine can be hard for people who have mornings or who take medicines," Dr. Holmes points out.

The oral version requires consistency and correct timing for proper absorption.

"The oral version has variables that can lower absorption, such as food, coffee, other medicines or not following the water and fasting guidelines. The variables make timing and consistency more important for absorption," Dr. Holmes shares.

Beware, as the pill form can aggravate your gut lining. It can cause nausea at the beginning of your course. For example, some patients experience GI symptoms for weeks. The nausea is often exacerbated by certain foods or by increasing the dose too fast.

"Patients with GERD or stomach problems may have trouble with the pill. The pill can irritate the stomach. Causes stomach emptying," warns Dr. Holmes

Dr. Holmes shares a specific ingredient in the oral Wegovy, including how it affects your stomach, and what to do about it.

"Oral Wegovy mix includes SNAC (salcaprozate sodium). SNAC helps Oral Wegovy avoid breakdown by stomach acid and lets Oral Wegovy get into the blood. Since SNAC helps Oral Wegovy avoid breakdown, by stomach acid take Oral Wegovy on a stomach. No food or drink for at least 30 minutes," Dr. Holmes shares.

• Those with a busy "medication" morning typically find the pre-dose fasting window challenging when taking other prescription drugs, especially those on thyroid or blood pressure meds.
• Individuals with memory or cognitive impairments may be unable to follow a daily regimen, whereas a once-per-week injection may be easier.
• If you have difficulty swallowing, you may be better suited for the injectable form and bypassing the GI tract.

When in doubt, discuss your options with a medical professional, so they can help you decide which works better for your situation.

If you're curious about what else GLP-1s can do, check out 5 Surprising Health Benefits of GLP-1 Drugs That Have Nothing to Do With Weight Loss.