The GLP-1 pill is still prescription-only, but the new form of the pill can make it more easily accessible and easier to take than the once-weekly or once-monthly injection
In this article, we lay out all the facts about the new GLP-1 pill, where you can get a consultation and prescription for it, and any side effects you need to know about.
LifeMD Weight CareAccepts insurance: The program is not covered by insurance. However, GLP-1 medications may be covered depending on your insurance plan.Consultation fee: noneAvailable medications: Wegovy, Zepbound, Saxenda, Ozempic, Contrave, Orlisat, MetforminEditor’s take
LifeMD offers several weight loss medications for as low as $0 copay. After taking a short quiz to determine insurance coverage and eligibility, you can access GLP-1 treatments, a dedicated doctor, and care teams to support you on your journey.
The company offer rush shipping to give you access to treatment as soon as possible.
The Wegovy pill is another option for the injectable GLP-1 medication. Though Rybelsus has been on the market since 2019, its primary use is to help manage blood sugar levels in adults who have type 2 diabetes.
This oral GLP-1 pill can be a helpful alternative to those who are looking to take a GLP-1 to aid in weight loss, but do not like needles. The dosage of the pill and the injection increase the longer you use it; however, the strength and a few other key points make the Wegovy pill different from the injection.
The short answer is: kind of. Both the injection and the pill contain the same main ingredient, semaglutide; however, there are a few key differences.
Because of the new pill formulation, people who are breastfeeding are advised not to take this pill. In particular, salcaprozate sodium (SNAC) is used as a coating to help the medication survive in the stomach and be absorbed into your bloodstream instead of being dissolved by stomach acid.
Novo Nordisk’s pill Rybelsus has the same warning, as the pill also contains SNAC. While there are currently no studies on the presence of SNAC in human breast milk, there has been a study on rats that shows that there is a concentrated substance of SNAC in the rats’ breast milk.
“When a substance is present in animal milk, it is likely that the substance will be present in human milk,” the FDA says. “Because of the unknown potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant due to the possible accumulation of SNAC from breastfeeding… advise patients that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.”
The GLP-1 pill must also be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water. You must wait to eat, drink, or even ingest other medications for at least 30 minutes after taking the Wegovy pill. This ensures the pill has time to enter the stomach without anything obstructing the absorption.
Otherwise, the pill is also an aid to weight loss. It’s still suggested to stick to a reduced-calorie diet and daily movement to help lose and keep off the unwanted weight.
Is the GLP-1 pill as effective as the injections?
If you’re wondering, do GLP-1 pills work in comparison to the injection, the answer is yes. In a 2024 study, researchers found that the effectiveness of the oral semaglutide and injectable semaglutide were comparable. They noted that the Wegovy pill had a greater reduction in blood sugar, while the injection had greater effects on weight loss.
However, the authors said “there were no statistically significant reductions in HbA1C or weight between the two formulations.” The study concludes that both forms of semaglutide were beneficial for blood sugar management and weight loss.
Comparing the GLP-1 pill and injection
Medical Perspective
Now that there is a pill available for weight loss, if people choose to switch from injection to pill, what is the process of doing so? Are there any adverse effects or things to consider about the switch?
Switching from injectable semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) to the oral Wegovy pill is straightforward under medical supervision. Consult your prescriber to determine the starting dose based on your current injectable level, then wait 7 full days after your last injection before beginning the pill, with titration as needed to minimize side effects.
Side effects mirror the injectable, primarily GI issues like nausea, but may intensify temporarily during the switch. Reversion to injections is easy if needed.
Learn more about types and strengths of semaglutide doses.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
The lowest dose of the GLP-1 pill, 1.5 mg, can cost $149 per month. It can go up to $299 per month for 9 mg or 25 mg. The Wegovy injections cost $349 per month, from the lowest to the highest dose.
Both the Wegovy pill and injection are eligible for insurance; however, coverage varies by insurance plan, whether you meet the eligibility criteria, and the pharmacy you use, and it may require prior authorization from your insurance.
If the pill is covered, you may still have to pay a high out-of-pocket cost. Novo Nordisk, however, does have savings cards that can help reduce the self-pay cost.