What are Wegovy tablets?
Wegovy tablets are a once-daily oral form of semaglutide for weight management in suitable adults, used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It acts on appetite regulation, helping you feel fuller, less hungry and with fewer food cravings. Wegovy injections and tablets contain the same medicine, but the tablet is absorbed through the stomach rather than injected under the skin.
Important: Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medicines are prescription-only. Only obtain them from a registered pharmacy after a proper clinical assessment, never from unregistered websites or social media sellers.
Some people search for "Wegovy pills". The correct name is Wegovy tablets: oral semaglutide taken once a day.
How Wegovy tablets are taken
For the tablet to be absorbed properly, it needs to be taken the same way every day:
- Take it on an empty stomach, after fasting for at least 8 hours, usually first thing in the morning.
- Swallow it whole with a sip of water (up to half a glass, about 120ml). Don't split, crush or chew it.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other medicines.
- Take one tablet a day. Never take two to make up a higher dose.
Eating, drinking or taking other medicines too soon afterwards can reduce how much semaglutide is absorbed.
Why switch from an injection to a tablet?
Some people dislike needles, some find weekly injection days hard to remember, and others would rather not store or carry injection pens.
A tablet may suit you if…
- you struggle with needles or injection anxiety
- you prefer a daily routine
- you can reliably take a tablet before breakfast
An injection may still suit you if…
- your current injection works well and you tolerate it
- you find daily medicines hard to remember
- you take other essential medicines first thing in the morning
Key principles of switching GLP-1 medicines
A safe switch depends on more than the name of your injection. Your prescriber will look at your current medicine and dose, how long you've been on it, side effects, other medicines, diabetes status, your progress and when you last injected.
Half-life, the time it takes your body to clear about half a dose, is a useful guide. Some GLP-1 medicines stay in the body for weeks, but your prescriber may still advise switching before the previous medicine has cleared, if that's safest for you.
| Switching from | Approximate half-life | Usual timing before starting Wegovy tablets |
|---|---|---|
| Saxenda or Nevolat liraglutide | About 13 hours | A short gap may be enough, often when the next daily dose would have been due. |
| Wegovy injection semaglutide | About 1 week | Usually one week after the last injection, on the day the next one would have been due. |
| Mounjaro tirzepatide | About 5 days | Often around 7 days after the last injection, with the starting tablet strength chosen by your prescriber. |
An educational guide only. It is not a washout rule or a personal instruction to stop or start treatment.
Wegovy tablet dose steps
| Stage | Once-daily dose | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 1.5mg | Days 1 to 30 |
| Step 2 | 4mg | Days 31 to 60 |
| Step 3 | 9mg | Days 61 to 90 |
| Maintenance | 25mg | Day 91 onwards |
Increases can be delayed if side effects occur. See Wegovy tablet prices by strength.
From Wegovy injections
The tablet dose isn't the same number of milligrams as the injection, because the body absorbs them differently. The clearest licensed switch is from Wegovy 2.4mg weekly to Wegovy 25mg tablets daily, started one week after the last injection.
| Current injection dose | Tablet strength that may be considered |
|---|---|
| 0.25mg weekly | 1.5mg or 4mg daily |
| 0.5mg weekly | 4mg daily, or 1.5mg if a cautious restart is safer |
| 1mg weekly | 4mg or 9mg daily |
| 1.7mg weekly | 9mg daily, though some people need a lower dose first |
| 2.4mg weekly | 25mg daily, started one week after the last injection |
From Mounjaro
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and Wegovy tablets contain semaglutide, so this isn't a direct conversion. The table shows the kind of starting point a prescriber may discuss.
| Current Mounjaro dose | Tablet strength that may be considered |
|---|---|
| 2.5mg weekly | 1.5mg or 4mg daily |
| 5mg weekly | 4mg or 9mg daily |
| 7.5mg weekly | 9mg daily, or 4mg if side effects have been an issue |
| 10mg weekly | 9mg daily; 25mg in selected stable patients |
| 12.5mg weekly | 9mg or 25mg daily |
| 15mg weekly | 25mg daily may be considered, but isn't automatic |
Your prescriber decides. They may start lower if you've had nausea, vomiting, reflux, a recent dose increase, a treatment break, or take medicines where timing matters. Two people on the same injection dose may not need the same tablet strength.
Side effects to consider
The most common side effects of Wegovy tablets affect the stomach and bowel: nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, tummy pain, indigestion and vomiting. They're often more noticeable when starting or increasing a dose.
Tell your prescriber about any side effects you've had from Wegovy, Mounjaro, Saxenda, Ozempic or Rybelsus, so they can plan a cautious switch.
Questions to ask before switching
- Am I switching because my treatment isn't working, or because I'd prefer tablets?
- Can I take a tablet correctly every morning before food, drink or other medicines?
- Have I had side effects that might return when my dose or medicine changes?
- Do I take medicines that could cause low blood sugar?
- Could I be pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
Talk it through with a prescriber
Start with our free online consultation. Before any treatment starts, you'll have a video consultation with a pharmacist or nurse prescriber, who will recommend what's safest for you.
Start free consultationFrequently asked questions
Can I switch from Wegovy injections to Wegovy tablets?
It may be possible, especially if you are stable on Wegovy 2.4mg weekly, but your prescriber must confirm the timing and dose. Don't overlap injections and tablets unless specifically told to.
Can I switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy tablets?
Yes, it can be possible, but it isn't a direct dose conversion. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and Wegovy contains semaglutide, so your prescriber chooses the timing and starting strength.
Are Wegovy pills the same as Wegovy tablets?
Yes. Some people say Wegovy pills, but the correct name is Wegovy tablets: oral semaglutide taken once daily.
Are Wegovy tablets better than injections?
Not necessarily. Tablets may suit people who dislike injections, but they need a strict daily fasting routine. The best option depends on your response, tolerance, medical history and routine.
Do Wegovy tablets need to be taken every day?
Yes, once a day. Wegovy and Mounjaro injections are taken once a week.
Can I buy Wegovy tablets without a prescription?
No. They are prescription-only and should only be supplied by a registered pharmacy after an appropriate assessment.
References
- MHRA: First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UK
- emc: Wegovy tablets Summary of Product Characteristics
- MHRA: GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes – what you need to know
- Wharton S, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25mg in adults with overweight or obesity. NEJM
- emc: Mounjaro KwikPen Summary of Product Characteristics
- emc: Saxenda Summary of Product Characteristics
Last reviewed: October 2026. This guide is general information and doesn't replace advice from your prescriber or the leaflet supplied with your medicine.