At a glance…
- Australia’s first GLP-1 weight-loss pill, a daily tablet version of Wegovy, has been approved.
- The prescription medication offers an alternative to weekly injections for eligible adults.
- It is expected to be available before the end of 2026 but there’s no confirmed release date or price yet.
Australians taking medication to help manage their weight could soon have an alternative to weekly injections, with a daily Wegovy tablet approved for use.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the pill on November 3, making it Australia’s first GLP-1 tablet approved specifically for weight management. It has already been approved in the UK and US.
Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk expects to bring it to Australia before the end of 2026, although a release date and price are yet to be confirmed.
The tablet contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient used in injectable Wegovy and Ozempic.
Diabetes Australia has welcomed the approval, saying a tablet could make treatment more accessible for people who are hesitant about injecting themselves.
“We know that both type 2 diabetes and obesity are complex, chronic health conditions,” Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said.
She stressed that people deserve access to treatment and support without stigma.
A daily alternative to injections
Semaglutide mimics a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1, which helps regulate appetite. It can help people feel fuller and less hungry, reducing how much they eat.
While injectable Wegovy is taken once a week and requires refrigeration, the tablet – which has been approved in strengths ranging from 1.5mg to 25mg – is taken every day on an empty stomach. Patients then need to wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.
The tablets will require a prescription and are approved for weight management in adults with obesity, or those who are overweight and have a weight-related health condition. They are also approved to lower the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, in eligible adults.
Like the injections, there’s a risk of side effects. Semaglutide can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, while vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and affect kidney function. More serious problems can include pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas.
Pricing yet to be announced
The cost of the tablets has not been confirmed, and it is not yet clear whether they will be cheaper than the injections.
Wegovy injections are currently not subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), except for those with Type 2 Diabetes, meaning people may privately. A PBS subsidy for the tablets has not been confirmed.
