The treatment works by reducing appetite.
Interest in a new weight loss pill has surged among Brits after US regulators approved a tablet version of Wegovy, but experts warn rising demand could fuel misinformation and safety risks.
The medication, known as the Wegovy pill, is an oral form of semaglutide designed for adults living with obesity or weight-related health conditions.
Approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in December 2025, it became the first oral GLP-1 treatment specifically authorised for weight loss rather than diabetes management.
The once-daily tablet offers a non-injectable alternative to weekly weight loss injections, which have dominated global conversations around medical weight management in recent years.
Clinical trials showed participants lost around 13 to 14 per cent of body weight over 64 weeks when the medication was combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
Despite excitement, the pill is not yet approved for use in the UK or the European Union, meaning British patients may face months of waiting before any legal availability.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is currently assessing the application, with decisions expected later in 2026 or potentially into 2027.
Interest among UK residents has accelerated rapidly following the American launch, particularly among people uncomfortable with injections.
Around one in ten Brits reports needle phobia, making tablet-based treatments appear less intimidating and easier to integrate into daily routines.
Telehealth provider ZAVA found UK searches linked to the Wegovy pill increased by more than 5,000 per cent after news of the approval spread online.
Many searches focused on price, UK availability and release dates, while some users even searched for the medication on Amazon despite it being prescription only.
Searches for “Wegovy pill” rose from just 140 in December 2024 to 5,400 by December 2025, highlighting growing curiosity around oral GLP-1 medicines.
Interest in broader weight loss tablets has also climbed steadily, rising from 7,700 searches in January 2024 to more than 14,000 in January 2026.
Meanwhile, searches for weight loss injections surged dramatically in 2025 before falling slightly this year, suggesting curiosity may be shifting toward tablet alternatives.
Dr Crystal Wyllie, a GP at ZAVA, said the convenience of tablets is driving much of the demand among British users.
She explained that pills remove concerns around refrigeration, injection technique and sharps disposal, making treatment feel simpler for many patients.
However, she warned that strong demand without legal access could encourage people to seek unregulated versions online.
Dr Wyllie said previous cases involving black market weight loss injections had already left some patients seriously ill after using unlicensed products without medical supervision.
Experts fear counterfeit oral GLP-1 medicines could enter the market before regulators approve legitimate supplies in the UK and EU.
Healthcare bodies stress that Wegovy tablets are not currently authorised in Britain and any seller claiming otherwise may be offering fake or unsafe products.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society advises patients to use only registered online pharmacies that require prescriptions, verify medical histories and provide clear UK contact details.
Clinicians also caution against believing social media claims that GLP-1 medicines are “magic” solutions for weight loss.
The treatment works by reducing appetite and increasing feelings of fullness, but lasting results depend on sustained lifestyle changes alongside medical supervision.
Weight loss develops gradually rather than instantly, with meaningful results typically appearing over several months of monitored treatment.
Both the injection and pill versions use the same active ingredient, meaning the main difference lies in how frequently and how the medication is taken.
While studies suggest the medicines are generally safe, mild side effects such as nausea and digestive discomfort are common during early treatment stages.
Researchers are still exploring possible mental health effects, with early findings inconclusive and further evidence needed.
Experts say the surge in online interest highlights growing demand for accessible weight management treatments, but also exposes risks linked to hype and misinformation.
Until approval is granted, doctors urge UK patients to avoid unverified sellers and seek professional advice before considering any GLP-1 medication.
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