Novo Nordisk's Wegovy® pill, the first and only oral GLP-1 for weight loss in adults, now broadly available across America

Rhea-AI Summary

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO) announced that Wegovy pill (semaglutide), the first oral GLP-1 for adult weight loss, was approved Dec 22, 2025 and is now broadly available across the US via 70,000+ pharmacies and select telehealth providers.

In the OASIS 4 trial Wegovy pill 25 mg showed an average weight reduction of about 17% at 64 weeks if all patients stayed on treatment and about 14% regardless of treatment persistence versus ~3% and ~2% for placebo. Starter pricing begins at $149/month ($5/day) with insured patients paying as little as $25/month.

Positive

• FDA approval on Dec 22, 2025
• OASIS 4: ~17% weight loss at 64 weeks (estimand: all stayed on treatment)
• Availability through 70,000+ US pharmacies and major telehealth partners
• Starter price of $149/month with insured patients paying as little as $25/month

Negative

• Common adverse reactions include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
• Approval limited to the US (not available internationally)
• 4 mg promotional price rises from $149/month to $199/month after Apr 15, 2026
• Savings offer excludes government beneficiaries

Key Figures

Weight loss (on treatment) 16.6% reduction Wegovy® pill 25 mg, OASIS 4, trial product estimand at 64 weeks

Placebo weight loss 2.7% reduction Placebo arm, OASIS 4, trial product estimand at 64 weeks

Weight loss (all patients) 13.6% reduction Wegovy® pill, OASIS 4, treatment policy estimand at 64 weeks

Placebo (all patients) 2.4% reduction Placebo, OASIS 4, treatment policy estimand at 64 weeks

Trial duration 64 weeks OASIS 4 study period

Baseline weight (active) 235 lb Baseline body weight for Wegovy® pill group in OASIS 4

Baseline weight (placebo) 231 lb Baseline body weight for placebo group in OASIS 4

Americans with obesity More than 100 million Estimated U.S. population living with obesity mentioned in release

Market Reality Check

$57.34 Last Close

Volume Volume 11,311,503 vs 20-day average 16,268,607 (relative volume 0.7). normal

Technical Price 52.39 is trading below the 200-day MA at 59.76.

Peers on Argus

NVO was up 2.97% pre-news while large-cap pharma peers were mixed: AZN -0.89%, NVS +0.19%, MRK +0.87%, ABBV +0.25%, JNJ +0.26%. This points to a stock-specific move rather than a broad sector rotation.

Common Catalyst Some peers (ABBV, MRK) had J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference headlines, but NVO’s news centers on an oral Wegovy® launch, indicating a different catalyst.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Nov 06	Clinical data update	Positive	-4.0%	CagriSema post hoc data showed BP and inflammation benefits vs comparators.
Aug 15	FDA approval	Positive	+2.6%	FDA approved Wegovy® for treating adults with noncirrhotic MASH.

Pattern Detected

Recent major obesity/metabolic updates have produced mixed reactions: one positive FDA approval was followed by a gain, while strong CagriSema data coincided with a selloff.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Novo Nordisk has reported notable obesity-related developments. On Aug 15, 2025, Wegovy® gained FDA approval for treating adults with noncirrhotic MASH, its fourth indication, and the stock rose about 2.56%. On Nov 6, 2025, new CagriSema analyses at ObesityWeek showed meaningful blood-pressure and inflammatory marker reductions, yet shares fell roughly 4.02%. Today’s oral Wegovy® weight-loss launch fits the ongoing expansion of the GLP-1 franchise into broader metabolic care.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock moved +5.2% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with the market’s recent focus on obesity and metabolic treatments. Prior Wegovy® approvals, such as the Aug 15, 2025 MASH indication, also saw shares rise after the news. However, other positive data like the Nov 6, 2025 CagriSema update coincided with a -4.02% move, showing sentiment can reverse quickly. Investors have previously reacted unpredictably to good news, so sustainability of a large gain remained uncertain.

Key Terms

glp-1 medical

"the revolutionary science of GLP-1 medicine in a pill for the first time"

GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar levels and appetite. Its significance to investors lies in its role as the basis for a class of medications that address conditions like type 2 diabetes and obesity, which are large and growing markets. Advances or investments in GLP-1-based treatments can signal opportunities in healthcare innovation and potentially impact pharmaceutical companies’ growth.

placebo medical

"compared to about 3% (2.7%) for placebo.*1 When looking at the efficacy"

A placebo is an inactive pill, injection or procedure that looks and feels like the real treatment but contains no therapeutic ingredient, often called a sugar pill. Investors care because comparing a drug to a placebo reveals whether observed benefits come from the medicine itself or from expectation; clear superiority over placebo reduces regulatory and commercial risk, much like a blind taste test proves a new recipe really tastes better.

estimand technical

"trial product estimand*: estimated efficacy in an idealized scenario in which all"

An estimand is the specific question a clinical study is designed to answer about a treatment’s effect — essentially the exact outcome the researchers will measure after deciding how to handle things that happen during the study, such as patients leaving, starting other treatments, or changing doses. For investors, the estimand matters because it determines how trial results should be interpreted and compared, like knowing whether a scoreboard counts only players who stayed the whole game or everyone who started it, which affects risk and valuation judgments.

treatment policy estimand technical

"treatment policy estimand**: treatment effect regardless of if patients stayed"

A treatment policy estimand is a way of measuring a drug’s effect that counts outcomes for all patients exactly as they occurred, regardless of whether they stopped, switched, or missed doses—like judging a recipe by how dishes turned out in a busy restaurant, not a perfect test kitchen. Investors care because it shows how a therapy is likely to perform in real-world use, affecting market potential, regulatory assessment, and revenue forecasts.

trial product estimand technical

"trial product estimand*: estimated efficacy in an idealized scenario"

A trial product estimand spells out the exact effect of a drug or medical product that a clinical trial is set up to measure, including how to handle things that happen after treatment starts (like stopping the drug, taking other medicines, or dropping out). For investors, it matters because the estimand determines what the reported results actually mean for real-world benefits and risks—think of it like defining the precise question a survey asks before interpreting the answers, which shapes whether positive data will support an attractive commercial outlook.

telehealth technical

"select telehealth providers including Ro, LifeMD and Weight Watchers"

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services and consultations remotely using video calls, phone, text messaging, or connected devices to monitor and transmit medical information. It matters to investors because it can reshape how patients access care, lower costs, and create new revenue streams or risks for healthcare providers, insurers and technology companies—similar to how online banking changed financial services—while also exposing businesses to reimbursement and regulatory shifts.

fda-approved regulatory

"help patients obtain authentic, FDA-approved medicines and avoid potentially unsafe"

FDA-approved means a medical product, drug, device or treatment has passed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s review for safety and effectiveness for a specific use. Think of it like a formal safety and performance seal that allows the product to be marketed for that purpose in the U.S.; for investors, approval reduces regulatory uncertainty, enables sales and reimbursement pathways, and can materially affect a company’s revenue prospects and valuation.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Average weight loss of ~17% if all patients stayed on treatment* with Wegovy^® (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg (~14% regardless of if patients stayed on treatment**) in the OASIS 4 trial¹
• Starting dose of Wegovy^® pill (1.5 mg) available today for only $149 per month (or $5 per day) via easy to access self-pay offer
• Wegovy^® pill now broadly available through 70,000+ US pharmacies such as CVS and Costco, select telehealth providers including Ro, LifeMD and Weight Watchers, NovoCare^® Pharmacy, GoodRx and more

PLAINSBORO, N.J.and BAGSVÆRD, Denmark, Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wegovy^® pill is now available, providing those seeking help with their weight the revolutionary science of GLP-1 medicine in a pill for the first time. This advancement opens new possibilities for the more than 100 million Americans living with obesity.² Wegovy^® pill was approved on December 22, 2025 and is used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with obesity, or with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose weight and keep it off.³

"We know there are people who are interested in addressing their weight but have been waiting on the sidelines for a medicine that was right for them. 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," said Ed Cinca, senior vice president, Marketing & Patient Solutions at Novo Nordisk. "Wegovy^® pill is here, and it represents a significant innovation as the first and only GLP-1 pill for weight loss. This moment is about changing what's possible in weight management, and to make that possible, we have worked to ensure Wegovy^® pill is affordable and accessible to those who need it, however they choose to receive their care."

Wegovy^® is backed by proven results, as millions have been prescribed Wegovy^® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg for weight management since 2021.⁴ Wegovy^® pill offers a magnitude of weight loss that no other oral GLP-1 obesity candidate has been able to duplicate in phase 3 trials, boasting an average weight loss of about 17% (16.6%), when used along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise and if all patients stayed on treatment, compared to about 3% (2.7%) for placebo.^*1 When looking at the efficacy regardless of if all patients stayed on treatment, an average weight loss of about 14% (13.6%) was achieved by people taking Wegovy^® pill compared to about 2% (2.4%) for placebo.^**1 

With once-daily oral dosing, Wegovy^® pill can provide patients with a practical option as part of their daily routine to help people achieve meaningful weight loss.  

OASIS 4 Results
		Wegovy® pill 25 mg	Placebo
Percent weight reduction at 64 weeks1	If all patients stayed on treatment    (Trial product estimand*)	~17%	~3%
	Analysis of all patients regardless of if they stayed on treatment    (Treatment policy estimand**)	~14%	~2%

For Wegovy^® pill based on baseline body weight of 235 lb., and for placebo based on baseline body weight of 231 lb.¹ 

In OASIS 4, common adverse reactions were similar to those previously seen in clinical trials with Wegovy^® (semaglutide) injection 2.4 mg, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.¹  

Novo Nordisk continues to pursue innovative delivery models and strategic collaborations to meet people where they are, reaching more patients in more ways. This is designed to help patients obtain authentic, FDA-approved medicines and avoid potentially unsafe, unapproved alternatives. Wegovy^® is available through a range of options including US pharmacies such as CVS and Costco, select telehealth providers including Ro, LifeMD and Weight Watchers, NovoCare^® Pharmacy, GoodRx and others. 

Wegovy^® pill is available to all eligible patients with multiple affordability options. Self-pay patients can start at around $5/day ($149/month) for the starting dose of 1.5 mg. The 4 mg dose will also be available for $149/month through April 15, 2026, then $199/month after, and the highest doses of Wegovy^® pill will be available for $299. Commercially insured patients pay as little as $25/month with the Wegovy^® savings offer.^† 

Wegovy^® pill is only approved in the US and will be available in 1.5 mg (starter dose), 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg.³ For updates and information about the Wegovy^® pill, please visit www.Wegovy.com.

^* Based on the trial product estimand: estimated efficacy in an idealized scenario in which all patients stayed on treatment and took no other weight loss therapies. 
^** Based on the treatment policy estimand: treatment effect regardless of if patients stayed on treatment or took other weight loss therapies. 
^† Pay as little as $25, subject to a maximum savings of $100/month. Government beneficiaries excluded. Novo Nordisk reserves the right to modify or cancel this program at any time. See WegovyTerms.com for full terms.

About Wegovy^® pill
Wegovy^® pill is the first oral GLP-1 medicine for obesity in the US, and is used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with obesity, or with overweight who also have weight-related medical problems, to help them lose weight and keep it off. Wegovy^® pill is also indicated to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with overweight or obesity and established cardiovascular disease.³ 

The FDA approval of Wegovy^® pill is based on the results from the OASIS 4 phase 3 clinical trial, which was a 64-week medical study that included 307 adults with obesity or overweight with one or more weight-related comorbidities, without diabetes. Results showed that people taking Wegovy^® pill once-daily along with a reduced calorie diet and exercise achieved an average weight loss of about 14% (13.6%) versus 2.4% with placebo.^** If all patients stayed on treatment, an average weight loss of about 17% (16.6%)  was achieved by people taking Wegovy^® pill compared to 2.7% for placebo.^* For those taking Wegovy^® pill, 76% achieved 5% or greater body weight loss (from a baseline body weight of 235 lb) versus 31% taking placebo (from a baseline body weight of 231 lb.).¹ 

About obesity
Obesity is a serious, chronic, progressive, and complex disease that requires long-term management.^5-7 One key misunderstanding is that this is a disease of just lack of willpower, when in fact there is underlying biology that may impede people with obesity from losing weight and keeping it off.^5,7 Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, social determinants of health, and the environment.^1,8

What is Wegovy^®?
Wegovy^® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg and Wegovy^® (semaglutide) tablets 25 mg are prescription medicines used with a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity to: 

• reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as death, heart attack, or stroke in adults with known heart disease and with either obesity or overweight.
• help adults with obesity, or some adults with excess weight (overweight) who also have weight-related medical problems to lose weight and keep the weight off.

Wegovy^® (semaglutide) injection 1.7 mg or 2.4 mg is used with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to help children 12 years and older with obesity to lose weight and keep the weight off 

Wegovy^® contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines. 

It is not known if Wegovy^® injection is safe and effective: 

• to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (death, heart attack, or stroke) in people under 18 years
• to help children under 12 years of age lose weight and keep the weight off

It is not known if Wegovy^® tablets are safe and effective for use in people under 18 years of age. 

Important Safety Information 

What is the most important information I should know about Wegovy^®? 
Wegovy^® may cause serious side effects, including: 

• Possible thyroid tumors, including cancer. Tell your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer. In studies with rodents, Wegovy^® and medicines that work like Wegovy^® caused thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if Wegovy^® will cause thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people
• Do not use Wegovy^® if you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)

Do not use Wegovy^® if: 

• you or any of your family have ever had a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or if you have an endocrine system condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• you have had a serious allergic reaction to semaglutide or any of the ingredients in Wegovy^® injection or Wegovy^® tablets. See symptoms of serious allergic reaction in "What are the possible side effects of Wegovy^®?"

Before using Wegovy^®, tell your healthcare provider if you have any other medical conditions, including if you: 

• have or have had problems with your pancreas or kidneys
• have type 2 diabetes and a history of diabetic retinopathy
• have or have had depression, suicidal thoughts, or mental health issues
• are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Wegovy^® may harm your unborn baby. You should stop using Wegovy^® 2 months before you plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with Wegovy^® tablets. It is not known if Wegovy^® when received through an injection passes into your breast milk

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Wegovy^® may affect the way some medicines work and some medicines may affect the way Wegovy^® works. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines to treat diabetes, including sulfonylureas or insulin. Wegovy^® slows stomach emptying and can affect medicines that need to pass through the stomach quickly. 

What are the possible side effects of Wegovy^®? 
Wegovy^® may cause serious side effects, including: 

• inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis). Stop using Wegovy^® and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area (abdomen) that will not go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. Sometimes you may feel the pain from your abdomen to your back
• gallbladder problems. Wegovy^® may cause gallbladder problems, including gallstones. Some gallstones may need surgery. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, such as pain in your upper stomach (abdomen), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-colored stools
• increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially those who also take medicines for diabetes such as insulin or sulfonylureas. This can be a serious side effect. Talk to your healthcare provider about how to recognize and treat low blood sugar and check your blood sugar before you start and while you take Wegovy^®. Signs and symptoms of low blood sugar may include dizziness or light-headedness, blurred vision, anxiety, irritability or mood changes, sweating, slurred speech, hunger, confusion or drowsiness, shakiness, weakness, headache, fast heartbeat, or feeling jittery
• dehydration leading to kidney problems. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting may cause a loss of fluids (dehydration), which may cause kidney problems. It is important for you to drink fluids to help reduce your chance of dehydration. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not go away
• severe stomach problems. Stomach problems, sometimes severe, have been reported in people who use Wegovy^®. Tell your healthcare provider if you have stomach problems that are severe or will not go away
• serious allergic reactions. Stop using Wegovy^® and get medical help right away, if you have any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; problems breathing or swallowing; severe rash or itching; fainting or feeling dizzy; or very rapid heartbeat
• change in vision in people with type 2 diabetes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have changes in vision during treatment with Wegovy^®
• increased heart rate. Wegovy^® can increase your heart rate while you are at rest. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel your heart racing or pounding in your chest and it lasts for several minutes
• depression or thoughts of suicide. You should pay attention to any mental changes, especially sudden changes in your mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any mental changes that are new, worse, or worry you
• food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery or other procedures that use anesthesia or deep sleepiness (deep sedation). Wegovy^® may increase the chance of food getting into your lungs during surgery or other procedures. Tell all your healthcare providers that you are taking Wegovy^® before you are scheduled to have surgery or other procedures

The most common side effects of Wegovy^® may include: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, stomach (abdomen) pain, headache, tiredness (fatigue), upset stomach, dizziness, feeling bloated, belching, low blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, gas, stomach flu, heartburn, and runny nose or sore throat.

Please click here for Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide for Wegovy^®.  

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With a US presence spanning 40 years, Novo Nordisk US is headquartered in New Jersey and employs over 10,000 people throughout the country across 12 manufacturing, R&D and corporate locations in eight states plus Washington DC. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contacts for further information

Media:
Liz Skrbkova (US) +1 609 917 0632 USMediaRelations@novonordisk.com	Ambre James-Brown (Global) +45 3079 9289 Globalmedia@novonordisk.com
Investors:
Frederik Taylor Pitter (US) +1 609 613 0568 fptr@novonordisk.com	Jacob Martin Wiborg Rode (Global) +45 3075 5956 jrde@novonordisk.com
Sina Meyer (Global) +45 3079 6656 azey@novonordisk.com	Christoffer Sho Togo Tullin (Global) +45 3079 1471 cftu@novonordisk.com
Max Ung (Global) +45 3077 6414 mxun@novonordisk.com	Alex Bruce (Global) +45 34 44 26 13 axeu@novonordisk.com

References:

1. Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, et al. Oral semaglutide 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025; 393:1077-1087. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2500969. 
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adult obesity facts. Last accessed: December 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult-obesity-facts/index.html.  
3. Wegovy^® (semaglutide) Prescribing Information. Plainsboro, NJ. Novo Nordisk Inc.
4. IQVIA LAAD Rx for the period of June 2021 to July 2024.
5. Kaplan LM, Golden A, Jinnett K, et al. Perceptions of barriers to effective obesity care: results from the national action study. Obesity. 2018;26(1):61–69.
6. Bray GA, Kim KK, Wilding JPH; World Obesity Federation. Obesity: a chronic relapsing progressive disease process. A position statement of the World Obesity Federation. Obes Rev. 2017;18(7):715–723.
7. Garvey WT, Mechanick JI, Brett EM, et al. American association of clinical endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for medical care of patients with obesity. Endocr Pract. 2016;22 (Suppl 3):1–203.
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Risk Factors for Obesity. Last accessed: December 2025. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/risk-factors/risk-factors.html.
   
   

   © 2026 Novo Nordisk All rights reserved. US25SEMO02598 January 2026

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SOURCE NOVO NORDISK INC.

FAQ

When was Wegovy pill (NVO) approved and when did it become broadly available in the US?

Wegovy pill was approved on Dec 22, 2025 and became broadly available across US pharmacies on Jan 5, 2026.

How much weight loss did Wegovy pill (NVO) show in the OASIS 4 trial at 64 weeks?

OASIS 4 showed about ~17% weight reduction at 64 weeks if all patients stayed on treatment and about ~14% regardless of treatment persistence.

What are the Wegovy pill (NVO) pricing options for self-pay and insured patients?

Self-pay starter dosing begins at $149/month ($5/day); commercially insured patients can pay as little as $25/month with the savings offer.

Which pharmacies and telehealth providers carry Wegovy pill (NVO)?

Wegovy pill is available at 70,000+ US pharmacies including CVS and Costco and via select telehealth providers such as Ro, LifeMD, and Weight Watchers.

What common side effects should patients expect with Wegovy pill (NVO)?

Common adverse reactions reported in trials include nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, similar to the injection formulation.

Will the 4 mg Wegovy pill price change after the launch promotion?

Yes, the 4 mg dose is priced at $149/month through Apr 15, 2026 and increases to $199/month afterward.

Is Wegovy pill (NVO) available outside the United States?

No, Wegovy pill is currently only approved in the US.